For customers who have their own videoconferencing equipment, whether dedicated studios or desktop PC, with ISDN or external IP connection, First Connections provides the “Bridge” or “MCU” (multi-point conference unit) needed to make your videoconference happen. For new users we are able to supply and support the product that best suits your working environment

First Connections Conferencing enables you to enjoy fully managed multi-point calls globally by utilising your existing equipment without the hassle and expense of deploying your own bridge or employing the necessary expertise in house.
You simply need to know the location of each participant and the speed of connection they will be using. Our competitive rates include all port charges and normal meeting options; including Continuous Presence (enabling sites to appear on a single screen) and mixed data rates for connected systems.

First Connections Conferencing is staffed by technically trained personnel who have extensive experience within the Videoconferencing field. This worry free service means our customers are able to concentrate on their core business and not the technology being employed.

First Connections Conferencing Service Delivery

Service levels range from basic pay-as-you-use ad hoc services, to a fully managed service. Service specialists provide links to sites world-wide, resolving equipment compatibility issues. Video service specialists will arrange conference bookings, scheduling, video connection and monitoring of the conference.

Managed Service

Conference booking service, multipoint and point to point Automatic booking confirmation by e-mail Bespoke telephone answering service Conference monitoring Monthly or Quarterly billing Monthly performance reporting

Ad-Hoc Services

Site registration free of charge Conference booking service Quotation provided with booking Signed purchase order required to progress Conference monitoring Monthly billing

Additional Services - Technical Helpdesk

The Bureau also provides a technical Helpdesk; customers can call in at any time and get user assistance with conferences and technical assistance with equipment problems. Directory Service We can provide a directory service which gives information on every registered site or location including access numbers, names and contact numbers of co-ordinators, local time and holiday information for international sites.

First Connections Conferencing Process Get registered. This is free and we ensure that your chosen sites get connected at the best quality to the service. Call direct into the booking desk, your call will be answered by dedicated staff. Bookings are taken over the telephone, you will be asked to specify which locations are to be linked up, who will be taking part at what time, and whether they will dial into our bridge or we will dial out. Confirmations are then sent out by e-mail. The conference is scheduled on our Bookings Plus conference booking system and onto the MCU. 15 minutes prior to the predetermined time your conference is initiated by the MCU operator dialling out to the sites, 30 minutes if there are more than 5 sites. All sites are monitored remotely by the First Connections staff. All technical issues are dealt with whilst the conference is in progress to ensure a trouble-free meeting. A conference can be extended at short notice if resource is available. The conference is automatically terminated at the end of the time period. If the conference is extended (auto extend) then you are responsible for terminating the call at the end of the your conference. Calls dropped prior to the booked time will be re-connected unless advised otherwise.

“In five working days, I had eight video conferences to take part in, two with a group in Oslo, one with a group in Ohio, one with a University in England, and a couple internally within the University. If I had tried to do that any other way, and the only other way would have been to travel, it just wouldn’t have been feasible and I wouldn’t have been able to go home at night – this is the real beauty of video conferencing and how it helps improve your quality of life.”

Mr. Andrew Gregg. Director, Corporate Information Systems. University of Ulster