Communication is vital to the success and growth of a business. Without the proper tools for company personnel to communicate effectively among each other and with the outside world, a business can’t expect to compete in their industry. That’s why it’s important to choose the business phone system that is best suited for your particular company and not just sign up for the first or cheapest service that comes your way. Being that every company has different needs and goals, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution, so there are many things that should be taken into account when setting up or upgrading a system.
Factors to Consider
Current System – If you have a business that is already established, it may be time to look into improving the phone system you currently have. Companies that are still operating with old systems are missing out on all the up-to-date technology that could be increasing business productivity.
Cost – Budget is always a big factor when selecting new services. You should take the time to figure out what a good business phone system is really worth to you and how much you’re willing to pay for it. This will help determine the type of system that is within your price range.
Number of Employees/Lines – There’s no question that you need a phone system that will accommodate the size of your company, the number of lines you have and the call volume you receive. The goal should be to minimize the chance of missing calls, which can only be done by having an adequate amount of extensions.
Features – Advancing technology means there are more features offered on business phone systems than ever before. Your company needs will determine if things like auto attendant, video conferencing, voicemail to email, call forwarding, intercom, etc. are essential for efficient communication.
Equipment – Considerations should also include how easy it will be and how much time it will take to train employees on equipment use. Maintenance requirements concerning equipment will also factor in.
Expected Growth – Hopefully, you expect your business to grow, and as it does, you will want a phone system that can grow with it. Many systems are flexible enough to add lines and other features as needed.
Mobile Compatibility – Rarely does a business owner or all of their employees stay in an office all day anymore. Having a system with mobile compatibility allows you to come and go as you please knowing that your calls can always be transferred to a mobile device.
Know Your Options
Once you’ve assessed all the elements regarding the makeup of your business and its needs, you should become familiar with the different types of business phone systems that are available. A key system is generally used by small to medium-sized companies, which offers basic features and can be set up for quite a few lines but will cost more in installation and maintenance.
The KSU-less system is only appropriate for very small businesses since it provides limited features, which are stored in each phone set. A PBX system is on the higher side of cost but will give you more options when it comes to innovative features and expansion for the future. The last type of phone system, VoIP, has become increasingly popular in recent years, allowing companies to save money on long distance calls by communicating via the Internet.
Choosing the best solution for your business phone system needs will come much easier if you do your homework and take all these factors into consideration.