By Lisa Settle
If you are upgrading your small business phone system or starting out from scratch, you want to make sure that you get it right. Going with a system that someone else has recommended, for example, may not always be the right business telephone solution for you. This is because each business is unique and what may suit one may not be right for another.
What do you want out of a phone system?
While it may be tempting to buy the cheapest phone system you find, it may not necessarily be the most suitable. When considering your small business phone system, do not just think about what you need right now, but also what you may need in the future if your business expands.
For example, if you buy the smallest office telephone system and then find in six months' time that you need a larger system, you may have to replace the whole thing as the existing one was not scalable. At least check to find out if the system may be upgraded in the future for relatively low cost.
Reliability
Sometimes in life, you do only get what you pay for and if you choose the cheapest telephone system first, without investigating all your options, it may give you nothing but problems. If you rely on your office telephone system, as the majority of businesses do, and your system is forever breaking down or needs maintenance continually thereby putting it out of service, you may end up losing money for maintenance and repair costs. There can be a knock on cost as customers who cannot contact you may look elsewhere.
What services do you require?
Do you need to have the latest system installed that comes with all mod cons? Typically, the more technical features included with your telephone service, the more you may have to pay out for the system. Some of the services you may wish to consider include:
· Conference calls;
· Voicemail;
· Auto attendance;
· Hold features.
It may help you to make a list of all the features you do need when looking for a telephone system so that you can compare what you get for your money.
The choices of systems
When considering buying a small business phone system you first have to decide what type of system you require for your business. Typically, you may choose:
· VOIP;
· PBX;
· Key Telephone System (KTS);
· Single number line.
You may have used a VOIP system or "Voice Over Internet Protocol" on your computer to talk to friends or family using your microphone and a messenger programme. However, with the VOIP system, you may call anyone from wherever you are in the world, or customers may call you on the number you are given when signing up, providing you have access to the Internet. Systems range from the very basic to the highly technical!
The PBX system is typically aimed at the larger company, and is known as "private branch exchanges". You have lots of lines and users have to dial an outside line first in order to get an external telephone line.
The KTS small business phone system may be suitable for a small office. This system can be one of the easiest to install, but if your company expands in the future you may have to upgrade to a different system due to the expansion of this particular telephone system being limited.
When you look around you may find that the choices for the small business phone system are numerous, so it really does pay to do your homework beforehand. Office phone systems are not the cheapest of things and just as with any other product there may be price differences. Alternatively, why not speak to the experts? They will discuss the most suitable options for your business telephone systems needs in an easy to understand way, taking in to consideration your current and future needs, as well as your budget.
Lisa Settle is a Director of Telcare (http://www.telcare.co.uk) a customer-focused telecoms provider that can take care of all your business telephony needs, from giving advice through to installation and ongoing care and maintenance.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Lisa_Settle/608639
If you are upgrading your small business phone system or starting out from scratch, you want to make sure that you get it right. Going with a system that someone else has recommended, for example, may not always be the right business telephone solution for you. This is because each business is unique and what may suit one may not be right for another.
What do you want out of a phone system?
While it may be tempting to buy the cheapest phone system you find, it may not necessarily be the most suitable. When considering your small business phone system, do not just think about what you need right now, but also what you may need in the future if your business expands.
For example, if you buy the smallest office telephone system and then find in six months' time that you need a larger system, you may have to replace the whole thing as the existing one was not scalable. At least check to find out if the system may be upgraded in the future for relatively low cost.
Reliability
Sometimes in life, you do only get what you pay for and if you choose the cheapest telephone system first, without investigating all your options, it may give you nothing but problems. If you rely on your office telephone system, as the majority of businesses do, and your system is forever breaking down or needs maintenance continually thereby putting it out of service, you may end up losing money for maintenance and repair costs. There can be a knock on cost as customers who cannot contact you may look elsewhere.
What services do you require?
Do you need to have the latest system installed that comes with all mod cons? Typically, the more technical features included with your telephone service, the more you may have to pay out for the system. Some of the services you may wish to consider include:
· Conference calls;
· Voicemail;
· Auto attendance;
· Hold features.
It may help you to make a list of all the features you do need when looking for a telephone system so that you can compare what you get for your money.
The choices of systems
When considering buying a small business phone system you first have to decide what type of system you require for your business. Typically, you may choose:
· VOIP;
· PBX;
· Key Telephone System (KTS);
· Single number line.
You may have used a VOIP system or "Voice Over Internet Protocol" on your computer to talk to friends or family using your microphone and a messenger programme. However, with the VOIP system, you may call anyone from wherever you are in the world, or customers may call you on the number you are given when signing up, providing you have access to the Internet. Systems range from the very basic to the highly technical!
The PBX system is typically aimed at the larger company, and is known as "private branch exchanges". You have lots of lines and users have to dial an outside line first in order to get an external telephone line.
The KTS small business phone system may be suitable for a small office. This system can be one of the easiest to install, but if your company expands in the future you may have to upgrade to a different system due to the expansion of this particular telephone system being limited.
When you look around you may find that the choices for the small business phone system are numerous, so it really does pay to do your homework beforehand. Office phone systems are not the cheapest of things and just as with any other product there may be price differences. Alternatively, why not speak to the experts? They will discuss the most suitable options for your business telephone systems needs in an easy to understand way, taking in to consideration your current and future needs, as well as your budget.
Lisa Settle is a Director of Telcare (http://www.telcare.co.uk) a customer-focused telecoms provider that can take care of all your business telephony needs, from giving advice through to installation and ongoing care and maintenance.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Lisa_Settle/608639