Inexpensive or Free Communication Methods

Normally this blog is about ACT!, but since most of my clients are individual users, small companies, or “smaller” divisions of companies - all of who are constantly looking for more ways to operate more efficiently and stretch their budgets - I thought this might help open up a few new ways to use technology to your advantage.

Over the last few weeks, I have come across a number of people - business and personal - that have needed to communicate either long-distance, or overseas, but did not want to break the bank doing so. Personally, I have an unlimited cell phone plan, so calling domestic is not an issue, however, overseas is another story. I’ve travelled extensively in Europe, and know what cell phone charges can be when calling back to the states. So, how does one do this frugally, while being able to utilize a professional connection. If you don’t have unlimited cell phone minutes, or just don’t like using the cell for every call, this might be for you.

There are three tools that I’ve used, and all are excellent, and free - Skype, Google Talk, and Yahoo! Messenger.

Skype - This is (or could be with all the options) a full telephone package - send/receive calls, video calls, SMS, call domestic and international “regular” numbers (small fee), and Skype-to-Skype calls. You can even get a phone number for a minimal charge, eliminating the need for a land line. I use this program for long distance if I just don’t want to use the cell phone, or for domestic/international Skype-to-Skype calls, which are free.

Yahoo! Messenger and Google Talk- basically the same program with similar functionality, just different vendors. I have both, and use both, and performance seems very equal. You might know of these programs as just for IM-ing, or instant messaging. However, with either, you can “call” another computer, video call another computer, and of course send IMs. In Google Talk, calling another computer will actually “ring” that computer, and when the other person picks up, you have a voice connection. Very cool, below is GTalk’s buttons on an IM window:





I have used Yahoo’s talk feature while working in Mexico to talk with engineers in Germany - all at no charge.

In addition to these free programs, there are two other services I use or recommend that will help keep costs down - VoIP and GoToMeeting.

VoIP is phone service over your high-speed internet connection. Being an IP connection, there are a few options available on these types of phones that are not on typical phone systems (or at least not available at the same price point). There are interfaces available where you can view the status of all users, call and IM/SMS those users, transfer calls or dial extensions to remote users as if they are within the same building, and so on. Additionally, there are cost savings vs a regular phone line, or lines. A bit more than I want to cover here, just FYI for you to look into.

GoToMeeting is a monthly subscription to a PC-PC sharing service. I use this constantly for support & training, installation, general help, and other activities that would normally have required an onsite visit to a client, or worse - an hour phone call to describe how to fix an issue. No business person want to sit on the phone for an hour clicking away when it could be done (by someone else) in 5 mins. With GoToMeeting, I can connect remotely, see the other user’s desktop, and take care of the issue promptly. Additionally, GoToMeeting is very useful for training or demonstrations to multiple users.

Hope this info helps…