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University of Washington
IT Connect

Information technology tools and resources at the UW

Conferencing Services

Conference Phone Service

As of October 1, 2016, UW-IT now offers conferencing as a service. This service includes: a Polycom IP7000 and dial tone for a flat rate of $16.96/month.

Basic Audio-only Conferencing

To Set Up an Ad-hoc Conference Call with up to Six Participants

Anyone using a campus phone can make at least a three way conference call.  Multi-button phone are capable of hosting up to a 6-party conference.
Find conference calling instructions at the links below:

Expanded Audio-only Conferencing

UW Teleconferencing up to 50 Participants

UW-IT provides an on-demand conferencing service on an audio conferencing bridge for up to 50 participants, without the need of a reservation. Organizations can hold on-demand conference calls, whenever they like, without paying per-use fees.

Advantages include:

  • Easy to use, low-cost conferencing solution for up to 50 parties.
  • Best solution for day-to-day, impromptu conferencing needs.
  • No per minute/per user charge for conference.

On Demand third-party conferencing solutions – Up to 125 and Special Applications

  • Premiere Global (PGI)

Premiere Global Services (PGI)

Premiere Global Services is a preferred UW provider for large audio on-demand conferences, international conferences, and special events.  PGI has several conferencing solutions to meeting your conferencing needs.

Premiere GlobalMeet – Domestic and International On Demand Audio Conferencing, Up to 125 Participants

  • Varies by country (See the UW-IT Service Catalog for the most current rates)
    Premiere GlobalMeet is an on-demand audio conference with the capability of International Toll-Free Dial-in access. The per minute rate for this service depends on which country the participant is calling from. PGI Global Meet International Dial-In Rates. Scheduled one-time only conferences are available on request.

PremiereCall Connection (Operator-Assisted Dial-Out including International)

  • See the UW-IT Service Catalog for the most current rates.  Charges by:
    Fee/min/participant Toll Dial In
    Fee/min/participant Toll-Free Dial In
    Fee/min/participant + International Long Distance Rates for Operator Dial Out. Operator assisted dial-out services.  The Premiere conference operator will dial out to your VIP or international participants.

PremiereCall Event (Over 125 Participants, Operator-assisted Conference Planning)

  • Fee/min/participant
    PremiereCall Event is a full service, white glove operator-assisted event conferencing service with operator screening/greeting for participants and moderators.  A dedicated team, including an Event Manager, will assist with scheduling and planning your conference.

Audio-only Conferencing Service Comparison

UW Teleconferencing Premiere Global
Service Type On-Demand On-Demand or Scheduled One-Time
Conference Capacity Up to 50 participants Up to 125 participants
Pricing $3.42 monthly GlobalMeet Audio: $0.06/min/participant contiguous US
Initial Setup Charge No Charge N/A
Web Conferencing Yes (using Adobe Connect) Yes (using Adobe Connect)
User Features:
Assigned Dial In Yes No
Toll-Free Dial In Yes
Rates vary, starting at $0.025/min/participant from contiguous US		 Yes (included)
Operator Assisted Dial Out No Available through PremiereCall Connection
Custom Greeting No No
Password Protection Yes Yes
Lecture Mode No Yes
Conference Recording No Yes. Additional fees apply.

Video Conferencing with Audio Participants

    • Microsoft Skype for Business (formerly Lync)
    • K-20

Microsoft Skype for Business (formerly Lync)

UW Skype for Business is the University of Washington subscription to Skype for Business Online, a Microsoft O365 service.  Audio/video participation is limited to only Skype users.  More information about Microsoft Skype for Business can be found here.

Adobe Connect – THIS SERVICE IS BEING RETIRED ON JUNE 30th, 2018.

What is it?
A Flash-based virtual meeting room that allows you to connect with multiple participants to share audio, video, applications, and chat.

What do you need?
A computer (Mac/PC) that has at least Adobe Flash 8 installed.
A phone to call into the audio conference or a microphone and speakers for VoIP.
A webcam (if you want to share your video).

How much does it cost?
See the UW-IT Service Catalog Teleconferencing entry for current price information.

What can you do?

– 100 Participants – File Transfer
– Share Screen/Application – URL Push
– Share Webcam Video – Outlook Scheduling Add-In
– Polls/Quizzes – iPhone App
– VoIP Integration – Recording w/ Hosted Playback
– Q&A – Integrated Premiere Audio Conferencing (8.0 cents/min/participant)
– Modular Panels – Integrated Meet-Me Conferencing (2.5 cents/min/conference)

View an Adobe Connect video demonstration: [Here]

To order this service, please contact UW Information Technology at help@uw.edu or via phone at 206-221-5000.  Please include the following information in your request:

  • Name
  • Department
  • Phone
  • Email
  • Budget Number
  • PGI Audio Conference Client ID (if you already own one).
  • Preferred URL for your meeting: http://confer.uw.edu/[your URL]
  • Preferred Adobe Connect Username.
    Either your own UW NetID , or if sharing the account with a group, a username based on the group name.

K-20
K-20 is a state run organization that offers video bridging services to its members.  Participants can join using desktop computers or room-based conference units like Polycom or Lifesize.  More information about the K20 video services can be found here.

Content Sharing – Content sharing can be accomplished through any of the three videoconferencing service options above.

Equipment and Hardware Requirements

At locations where UW VoIP service is available, the Polycom SoundStation IP 7000 is the preferred conference phone solution.  The IP 7000 is easy to set up and provides superb audio quality.  Other IP units do not function with our telephone system. UW offers this as a service, as described here.

Where VoIP is not available, UW-IT recommends purchasing one of the Polycom SoundStation analog units.  The analog models can be connected to a digital jack (i.e. in conjunction with a 6400 or 2400 series telephone set) with a Konexx analog to digital adapter. To use a digital set simultaneously with your Polycom unit, the Konexx RJ11/RJ45 combo cord will need to be purchased.

Prior to purchasing your equipment, contact the UW-IT at help@uw.edu or 206-221-5000 if you have questions.

All of these analog conference units and the Konexx converter can be self installed.  If you need assistance, a technician visit may be arranged, and time and material charges will apply.

When installing the Polycom IP 7000, the serial number or MAC address from the bottom of the conference phone is required to complete the phone’s programming.  Each IP 7000 requires a unique telephone number and a VoIP compatible network connection.  Please contact UW-IT for more information.

Video Studio