Need an business/office telephone system?
 |
 |
 |
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
It can be confusing with all the different options available to
find the right business telephone system for your needs. I can help
by matching your requirements a system and setup which is right for
you.
The right phone system is crucial to your business. You use your
phone to connect to your employees, clients and vendors. The
right choice should help you increase sales, communicate with your
team and connect to your clients. With so many phone systems
available in the market, you need to be careful in choosing the
right one for you otherwise you might end up with a system that does
not fit your company’s needs. There are several factors to
take into consideration and it can seem confusing when looking for
the right one for your office – here is a simple guide on how to
choose the best one for your company.
What are the things that I will consider when choosing you
a business phone system?
What do you need?
You need the following pieces to make a phone system run
smoothly:
- Base unit
- Hand sets
- Wiring
- Installation
and initial configuration
How much do I need to invest?
A central base unit costs around
£350 and above. The price of a handset depends on the model and
features. They can go as high as
£1,000. You can also get extra accessories. Add to that the cost
of the installation, training and maintenance.
To get a free quote and compare telephone systems based on your requirements, please fill in my questionnaire Click Here
Small Business
The most popular choices for a small business phone system are
PBX and VOIP. Each has its own pros and cons. You can get a complete
phone system starting from £495 and a complete VOIP system starting
from £750. If a phone system is not too much of a priority in your
office, you can avail of a free VOIP platform and just buy the
necessary components and accessories. If a phone system is crucial
to bring in sales then you must consider investing in a very good
system that will last you a long time. In general, there are a lot
of advantages in using a phone system.
The features of a phone itself can make your life easier.
Features such as auto attendant and auto directory eliminate the
need for a phone operator. That can save you a lot of money meant
for salaries and benefits. An IVR or Interactive Voice Response
makes the whole process of inquiring and complaining faster. The
client can choose from a menu of services and enter information or
be taken directly to a customer service representative for
complaints or cases that need a human response. Depending on your
phone system, you will be able to connect to and from anywhere. You
can treat any place as your virtual office. Your staff can work from
home in case of a power failure in the office or bad weather. You
can also use any device, such as your mobile phone or home phone, to
connect to your network.
There are special packages are available for small businesses.
Some packages don’t include the training and maintenance fees. Also
check for warranties and guarantees. Some providers also combine
Internet and phone services in one affordable package. Choosing a
telephone system for your small business involves a lot of research
and comparison. Talk to people you trust about the systems that they
are using. Ask for demos from suppliers and ask about discounts,
promos and packages. If you’re on a budget, take advantage of what
technology has to offer you and build from there.
What type of phone system are you thinking of installing? Your
choice will really depend on a few things such as the number of
people who are going to use the phone system, the features that you
want the system to have and of course, your budget.
Long term things to consider are
- Will you be
able to get a return on your investment after X number of years?
- The
adaptability and flexibility of the phone system in case you want to
expand your business
- How does the
system make everyday office functions better?
To make life easier we provide a free quote service for small
businesses, we will match the right equipment and setup to your
needs
Types
A business telephone system is one of the most important parts of
a business. If you are looking to have one installed, it is
important that you first know the 4 types of phone systems
available. Here is a simple guide for you.
Key-less System
This is the most basic phone system. This is usually used by very
small companies that have fewer than 10 employees. This type of
system already offers the user a set of basic features fit for their
requirements. You do not need to install a central control unit with
this type of system. The costs that you will incur with this type of
system are generally low as it is a very simple system. You will
only have a problem when you expand. The Key-Less System does not
allow room for expansion. However, this system is mobile. Since the
phone system can only support 2 to 4 lines that are not permanently
wired into your infrastructure, you can take the system with you
when you transfer to a different office. Another drawback of this
system is it is pretty much a do-it-yourself system. You need to do
all the shopping, installation, programming and maintenance.
Key Systems or KSU
This type of system is best suited for companies with 5 up to 40
employees. It is similar to the Key-Less System in that it has all
the basic features that you need to run your day to day operations.
The difference is that you can add more advanced features as your
business requires. Another difference is that this system requires a
central key system unit or a KSU to support the phones unlike the
other system that is run by the phones themselves. Newer versions of
the KSU can now compete with the more advanced PBX systems in terms
of advanced features. This type of system can keep up with your
growing business.
PBX or Private Branch Exchange System
The PBX system has both basic and advanced features. It also
needs a central PBX cabinet to power it. This system is for
companies with 40 or more employees. Its features are perfect to
meet the daily demands of a very busy workplace. If you already have
a system in place, you do not have to worry about installing a PBX
system. It easily integrates with other technologies. You can also
program it to connect with your current office configurations. You
can also expand this system to carry more advanced features. Keep in
mind though that each addition will require you to shell out cash.
If you have the budget and you can see growth in the horizon, it
is better to invest in a PBX System. It is flexible and you have a
wide variety of features to choose from.
Voice over Internet Protocol or VOIP System
The VOIP system is the latest technology in business phone
systems. With this phone system, you can communicate with other
offices around the world for a minimal fee. This is possible because
your phone call is sent over an IP-based network or the Internet. It
does not use traditional phone lines that charge you per minute.
This type of system still requires you to have a phone service that
can connect you to other offices using traditional systems. This
system is best used in conjunction with your existing system. If you
always make long distance or international calls, this system will
save you a lot of money. You can also use this system if you
frequently travel and need to be connected to your customers and
suppliers without changing numbers. Any type of company can use the
VOIP system.
Now that you know the different types of system available, you
can now choose the best system for your company.
