How do we use the conference bridge feature?

Charges:

If you do not have a Conference Bridge already, email us at: support(at)press8(dot)com to set one up for you. There is an additional monthly fee for a Conference Bridge.  You will see it on your monthly invoice as an additional monthly charge.

Typically a Press8 customer support representative will setup your Press8 conference bridge for you. Most conference bridges are setup as ‘permanent’ which means you can use it anytime you want to.

There are two ways we can setup your Conference Bridge:

1) You can use your main number, and the caller can type in a conference bridge code during the auto attendant, or  2) You can devote a phone number to the conference bridge.

Here are Instructions for Accessing Your Conference Bridge for Both Setups:

1) To access your conference bridge without a dedicated phone number: 

If we have setup a conference bridge for you using a Feature Code instead of using a dedicated number,  then we have setup what is called a ‘Feature Code’ that will direct your conference bridge attendees to the conference bridge. You can verify this by going to Features=>Feature Codes and look for ‘8001’ which is what is typically used to enter a conference bridge.

Note: Be sure to press the ‘#’ key after each entry and after recording your name

  1. Dial your feature code extension number given to you by support.
  2. You will be asked for a pin number. Your pin number should have been given to you when we setup your conference bridge. (We typically give you 3 pin numbers: 1) Administrator Pin 2) Listen and Talk Pin 3) Listen Only Pin)
  3. Once you enter your pin number, the system will ask you for your name.
  4. Your name will be recorded and it will be used to ‘announce’ you to the group when you enter the conference bridge, and ‘announce’ to the group when you leave the conference bridge.
  5. After you record your name you will be offered the chance to re-record your name, or accept your recording.
  6. Once you accept your recording you will be ‘announced’ to the conference bridge and anyone who is already dialed into the conference bridge.
  7. When you hang up, your name will also be announced to the group as well.

2) To access your conference bridge with a dedicated phone number: 

If we have setup a conference bridge for you using a dedicated phone number, then calling that number will direct your conference bridge attendees to the conference bridge.

Note: Be sure to press the ‘#’ key after each entry and after recording your name

  1. Dial the Conference Bridge phone number given to you
  2. You will be asked for a pin number. Your pin number should have been given to you when we setup your conference bridge. (We typically give you 3 pin numbers: 1) Administrator Pin 2) Listen and Talk Pin 3) Listen Only Pin)
  3. Once you enter your pin number, the system will ask you for your name.
  4. Your name will be recorded and it will be used to ‘announce’ you to the group when you enter the conference bridge, and ‘announce’ to the group when you leave the conference bridge. Be sure to press the ‘#’ key after each entry and after recording your name.
  5. After you record your name you will be offered the chance to re-record your name or accept your recording.
  6. Once you accept your recording you will be ‘announced’ to the the group (anyone who is already dialed into the conference bridge).
  7. When you hang up, there will be a tone that can either announce you as leaving or just ring a bell.

What will the other attendees hear when someone enters the conference bridge?

‘John Doe has entered the conference’.

What will the other attendees hear when someone in the conference bridge hangs up?

‘John Doe has left the conference’.

What if I don’t want the attendees names announced?

It should be noted that you can change this option to not ask attendees for their names in your Conference Bridge Setup under: Features=>Conferences and choosing the conference bridge. Then change: ‘Ask Callers to Record Name’ to=> ‘No’.

How many people can call into a conference bridge?

You can have as many attendees as you want but keep in mind that if you have more attendees than you have Press8 lines/users at your company, you will be charged a per-minute charge of $0.049 for the extra users. You can contact us to find out how many users you have on your account or check your monthly invoice.

Control Codes during a conference

Press * for a list of control codes which are:

  • Press 1 – Mute and Unmute yourself
  • Press 2 and 3 – Decrease or Increase your listening volume
  • Press 4 and 5 – Decrease or Increase your talking volume

Administrators have these additional controls:

  • Press 6 – Lock or unlock the conference
  • Press 7 – To eject the last user
  • Press 8 – To mute or un-mute non-admin participants

Scheduling a Conference

Typically we setup your conference bridge as ‘permanent’ so that you can use it anytime you want. If you want to have the system notify attendees via email or telephone when the conference has started. In order to do this, you need to go to: Features=> Conferences, choose the conference bridge, and change the date to the date and time of the conference, and enter the email address or phone number of each attendee and whether they are an administrator, can talk, or can only listen. You can set it to recur at the same time daily,  weekly or monthly as well.

Many of these features can be changed at any time. Just go to your Press8 Control Panel at: https://manage.press8.com and then go to: Features=>Conferences and pick the Conference Bridge.

You can also add phone numbers to call when a Conference Bridge starts.

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