Solutions

Sphere VG3 MeetingHub™ Conference Bridge Solution brings centralized, simultaneous, multi-party conferencing to the Sphericall IP PBX. A single VG3 MeetingHub provides for any combination of conferences totaling 60 participants, such as fifteen separate four party conferences, for example. Multiple MeetingHub units in a Sphericall system enable even more concurrent conferences.

The MeetingHub uses the “meet me” model for conferencing. To join a conference, participants dial a conference extension–from inside or outside the Sphericall system. A tone alerts the other conferees that someone has joined (or left) the call. From the Sphericall Line Monitor, an administrator can view a real-time list of all participants in all active conferences. For individual conferees, the Sphericall Desktop interface displays a listing of all the participants in his or her own conference.

The MeetingHub is a standards-based VoIP solution that breaks through the technological barriers of IP conferencing in an easy-to-use, cost-effective way.

Strong Cost Justification

Companies turn to teleconferencing instead of business travel to save money and enhance productivity. With a MeetingHub conference, there is no special time or per-user charge. Many companies experience a 75-80% savings with the MeetingHub when compared to traditional third party conferencing. This is based on an average of 3 - 5 hour-long conference calls per week for 10 to 12 participants. Figures vary according to usage, but at this rate, payback for the MeetingHub is between 5 and 6 months.

Convenience

Because the conference takes place on customers’ networks and equipment, there are no third-party scheduling headaches. Setting up a conference is as easy as clicking on a pre-programmed conference list. You can hold spur-of-the moment meetings or consultations without having to worry about resource limitations.

Easy Installation and Maintenance

The MeetingHub is easy to add to your network. Plug it into an available switch port and it's auto-discovered, just like any other Sphericall media gateway. It requires only a network connection–no PSTN interface. Administrators can configure voice encoders for compression to ensure efficient transmission over a WAN. Any mixture of Sphericall analog or IP phones, legacy PBX - connected extensions or outside phones can participate in a MeetingHub conference.

Future Proof

As a Sphericall Manager-driven network device, the MeetingHub firmware can be upgraded for additional conferencing functionality as new features become available. Open standards ensure the compatibility of new endpoints as well.

Physical Characteristics and Approvals

• 17 ¼ x 1 ¾ x 15 in. (44 x 4.45 x 38.1cm)
• 19 inch (48cm) rack mounted (1U high) or standalone
• Unit weight 7.6 lbs (3.45kg)
• Operating temperature 32° to 104°F (0° to 40°C)
• Operating humidity 0% to 85% at 104°F (40°C) RHNC
• Operating power 110/240V auto-sensing
• Pending EMC approval-FCC Part 15, Class A, CE
• Pending safety approval-ETL, cETL, NOM, CE

Network Specifications

• Complies with 802.1 p/q for Ethernet
• Auto-sensing 10/100 Ethernet interface
• RJ45 modular connector
• G.711 and G.729 AB support