Conferencing Capabilities

By Lisa Leahy, OIT

Many conferencing solutions currently exist with the State of Maine at little or no additional cost. During this time of budgetary constraints, a refresher about what is available and how to acquire services is in order. The Office of Information Technology has compiled the current offerings into one web site: http://www.maine.gov/oit/conferencing

Here you will find information regarding teleconferencing, video conferencing and web conferencing. A brief description about each service follows. By visiting the conferencing link referenced above, you will find the complete set of instructions and contact information for each of the following areas.

Teleconferencing (Audio)

Teleconferencing involves the interconnection of multiple telephones. There are two options available for state employees to utilize:

•  Conference call from desk phone -no additional cost.

•  Conference call using the state's chosen vendor, Premier Global, at additional cost. This method is used when the audience is greater than your desk phone's capability for conferencing.

Video Conferencing

Within the State of Maine , many agencies utilize interactive video conferencing between agencies and entities outside Maine State government. Interactive video conferencing involves the use of specialized equipment to see and hear people at multiple sites in real time.

Web Conferencing

OIT offers a web enabled conferencing solution that is available to state agencies at no additional cost. Through OIT's current Juniper Network Access product, state employees are able to utilize two types of web conferencing; Instant Meeting and Secure Meeting.

OIT has a contract with Premiere Global to deliver Web Conferencing Services to all state agencies. Premiere Global offers several different levels of Web Conferencing services that should meet all state agencies needs.