Quorum Conference Server (developed by NCH Software) is a software-based telephone conferencing system designed to turn any standard Windows PC into a private conference call host. It allows participants to dial in via standard phone lines, VoIP connections, or an office phone system to join simultaneous conversations. The system operates on your hardware, eliminating the need to pay for external, per-minute, or per-user subscription models like traditional commercial conference bridges. How It Works
Creation: The conference host dials into the server and selects the option to create a new conference. The Quorum server will generate and read back a unique, secure conference ID.
Distribution: The host shares this ID/number with all intended participants.
Joining: Participants dial the main server number, enter the designated conference ID, and are immediately patched into the active call. Key Features & Benefits
Scalable Capacity: The number of participants is generally limited only by your bandwidth and the capacity of the phone lines/SIP trunks you have connected to the server.
Web Admin Portal: It features a built-in web control panel, which allows administrators to manage users, view call logs, and administer conferences remotely from a browser.
Flexible Connections: Supports both traditional PSTN lines (requires telephony/modem cards) and VoIP/SIP internet lines.
Customization: Users can set up automated voice prompts, customize on-hold music, and configure automatic call recording.
No Recurring Fees: Because the software is hosted locally on your machine, there are no per-user or monthly subscription fees beyond the initial license purchase. System Requirements
OS: Windows 10, 11, or Windows Server (legacy versions available for older Windows/macOS).
Hardware: Requires a standard Windows PC with a sound card. For PSTN calls, telephony/modem cards (like CAHTA boards) or VoIP lines are required.
Licensing: The software can be downloaded and tested for free, but requires a purchased license from NCH Software for continued commercial use.
Note: Depending on the context, the term “Quorum Server” might also refer to high-availability (HA) computer clusters (where a third-party server acts as an arbitrator to prevent “split-brain” scenarios between two main servers) or enterprise broadcast control systems like the Quorum One platform by Ross Video. Quorum Telephone Conference Server – NCH Software
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