Savvy companies today are using communications tools that support relationships with customers. Easy-to-use online conferencing, telephone and video conferencing can enhance communications and can reduce travel and other expenses.

• Centralized Messages. By using a universal in-box, you can receive and check all of your voice-mail, fax and e-mail messages in one place. You are assigned a private phone number in the area code of your choice, and you can check your messages via a computer, phone or fax. It also permits you to forward faxes, send audio replies to e-mail messages, receive pager notification, and create personal greetings.
• Online Conferencing. Talk to up to 7 participants who can interact, and another 50 people can listen in. You initiate the call, specify participants anytime with no reservations or operator assistance. Even though the call is initiated from a Web browser, the actual call is carried over standard telephone lines.
• Presentations Online. Imagine using the Web to share presentations online to a customer across town, or across the country. Give a PowerPoint presentation, Web site tour, seminar, sales presentation, and more online.
• Audio Conferencing. Audio conferences are live telephone sessions where two or more people participate. Meeting services may include the ability to involve conferees' participation by having them respond to interactive voice menus and using the touch-tones on regular telephones.
• Data Conferencing. A live session in which audio/voice features are supplemented with graphics either on a personal computer display in an office or meeting room, or using an interactive whiteboard connected by modem on LAN.
• Video Conferencing. Is a live session where participants can hear and see one another, often including data collaboration tools, using PC or Web-based platforms.

Conditions that should be considered when deciding to buy or implement video conferencing services and equipment are:

1. Will the users change or adapt to it?
2. What are the costs and advantages, and can they be adhered?
3. What applications will be used, and will there be any limitations?
4. What training will be needed to maximize the use of video conferencing?