Conference call capabilities are typically set up and then not always revisited every year like other services, which means that your company could possibly be paying continually rising prices for a service that you do not use very often or even one that you no longer really need. There are other options that can replace conference calls at much lower costs, including VOIP and SIP.

As a business owner, it is important that you continually keep a watch for fluctuations in prices and in the various options available to you. However, this can be a difficult and time-consuming task, and could be better handled by a managed services provider. The provider can keep track of prices, alerting you when a better pricing plan is available, and can also help you make the decisions about what services and technologies that your company truly needs and which it can do without.

The first thing  managed service providers will look at will be how much you are using your conference calling capability. If you are using the service once or twice a month or less, they may suggest dropping it completely and using an alternative method of communication for the occasional business meeting call that you must make.

Alternatively, if you are making weekly conference calls, the provider may search for ways to reduce your costs, saving your company money. For instance, using VOIP or SIP trunking over traditional phone service for conference calls can save money in the long run, but may cost more initially because of the need to upgrade services, lines and equipment. (The provider will also explain payback times for these upgrades and help define whether the cost is worth it or not.)

If you are in the middle ground- making more than a few conference calls but not so many that you want to upgrade to new equipment -  managed service providers can start shopping for a better rate on the service that you have now. Simply telling the carrier that you will be looking around may move them to lower costs to keep your business, especially if you have an agent who is willing to cite facts and figures related to the industry. Rates are currently at an all-time low and carriers are fighting to keep their customers happy and signed on in virtually any way that they can.

 Finally, it is important that every aspect of your telecommunications set up be looked at frequently; you cannot set up a service and then leave it in place without checking for reduced rates, better options or upgraded service. If you are not using a service, it should be terminated. If you use a service frequently, then you might need to find a lower cost option. The needs of your company have to be met in a timely and economical manner- even if they are infrequent.