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Small business phone system |
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Theoretically speaking, buying a new small business phone system is one of the most important purchases any business will ever make. As a matter of fact the selection of a phone system can either bring a business closer to its customers and clients or, cause confusion and chaos amongst all that use or interact with it. Thats why, it is therefore essential that you choose the right small business phone system needs. It is worth mentioning in this regard that the telephone is quite often the fastest and easiest way to reach customers and clients. Moreover, it should also be the fastest and easiest way for them to reach you. As a matter of fact it should be flexible enough to be able to cover all of your companys needs and handle all calls appropriately. According to experts, the last thing any business wants is for its important business callers and customers to be routed incorrectly, disconnected, or faced with a long list of confusing automated options. It is worth noting that there are lots of factors that need to be taken into consideration when choosing a new business telephone system. Find below few of the main ones: 1. You will certainly require enough capacity to fulfill your current business needs. 2. It is pivotal that you assess your potential future growth and select a compatible phone system accordingly. 3. In addition, ensure compatibility with any equipment you already own (headsets, handsets, conferencing equipment, cabling etc). 4. What features does your business phone system need to give Fulfilling all the factors above and any more you can think of can be an tremendous challenge for any business. PBX & Key Systems (hybrids) Though there is no denying that Key and PBX systems have some different technical features, these differences have become somewhat blurred over the past couple of years. As a matter of fact many Key systems now offer features that were once only available to those who chose to install a full PBX phone system. Moreover, some systems also operate internally as either a PBX or Key system depending on the software installed. Sometime these systems are often termed to as Hybrid phone systems. Installation & maintenance of PBX and Key phone systems It is worth pointing that PBX and Key phone systems require installation by fully trained and qualified telecoms engineers. Thats why, all outside and inside lines must connect to the PBX or KSU cabinet. Always remember that the installation and maintenance of one of these types of phone system can be just as expensive as the phone system itself. In majority of cases you may be able to use the existing phone lines available in your office, but unless the phones you have been using are relatively new, they may not be compatible with your new system, requiring you to purchase new handsets as well as the system itself. The Right Size System If experts are to be believed, it is pivotal that when buying a new business telephone system, that you know your requirements in advance. Furthermore, knowing what features need to be included with your new telephone system will stand you in good stead when it comes to negotiating with potential suppliers. In theory, when considering buying a new telephone system for your business, there are two major factors that determine the size of the system you require: Lines. These are normally called trunks. In other word, the number of lines a system has denotes the number of outside lines being used by a company. Extensions. In theory, most extensions will be made up of handsets. However any equipment that requires a phone line is classed as an extension. This consists of fax machines, modems, and credit card equipment etc. It is pretty much mandatory that you make a list of all the extensions and lines you may need for your new phone system. Do not forget that some of you may need more than one line and multiple extensions. On the other hand, with key systems, the size of a phone system is indicated as a combination of both lines and extensions. For instance a system that has 10 lines and 30 extensions will be shown as a 10 x 30 system. If experts are to be believed, with PBX phone systems, size is defined as a combination of lines and extensions, called "Ports". Theoretically speaking, the number of "Ports" is the maximum number of connections that can be made to the phone system. These consists of the outside lines and inside extensions, as well as any other telephone system accessories. It is worth pointing that when planning for a new small business phone system, you should take into account the future expansion of your company, by foreseeing any extra needs at an early stage. According to experts, even if your current telephone system is handling calls well for the time being, this may not be the case when any future expansion or improvements are fully implemented. In theory, a good business phone system should be able to handle expansion easily and in a cost effective manor. PBX phone systems gives you an option to expand their capabilities, by adding new expansion cards, thus increasing the number of ports available for use. As a matter of fact, a few key systems can be expanded by the addition of another cabinet that is identical to the first. When planning your new system it is of utmost significance that you enquire about the potential cost for the addition of more extensions or ports. In addition, it is important that when choosing a small business phone system, you ensure expansion will come not only easily but as affordable as possible for your company. If experts are to be believed, finding a good reliable dealer is the most important part of buying a new business phone system. In theory, a good reputable dealer will not only be able to sell you the system you require, but will offer excellent, guaranteed installation and service as well as always be on hand to answer any questions you have when problems arise. Simply they will be there to hold your hand and guide you through the process, from the planning and selection of a suitable system, to the implementation of you small business phone system and training of staff. Other Articles |