Upgrading Your Business Phone System
Unless you’re a one-person show, upgrading your business phone system is highly recommended. Why? Well, for starters, it looks professional. Phone systems are expensive, but they save money in the long run. And let's not forget the convenience of integrated VoIP technology and its benefits to your organization's bottom line.
In this post we'll show you how to select the right phone system for your company without being overwhelmed by all the choices available and without breaking the bank! We'll talk about key considerations like scalability and flexibility, along with more technical topics like codecs and codec preference lists. We'll also offer some great product recommendations that will help you find what's right for your business needs.
Selecting a system
When selecting a phone system, you'll need to consider three basic questions: What needs to be accomplished with the phone system? How much is it going to cost? How flexible is the system? Here are some examples of questions you may want to ask: Do I need a service provider who will do everything for me, or can I handle the tedious tasks myself? Can I add features as my business grows without having to reinstall software, or buy more hardware and software licenses? What's my budget, and how should it be allocated between hardware, software and services? What are my requirements in terms of scalability—can I upgrade hardware when needed and keep up with new technology easily? Is there an on.net phone system available?
Here are some things to consider when choosing your phone system:
VoIP systems have lower costs and more benefits than traditional, old-fashioned analog systems. Investigate the many options available online and compare different providers. Here are some resources to help you get started: VoIP Technology Comparison (Find a Phone System) If you're considering a non-VoIP telephone system, explore the many options on our website: Plain Old Telephone System (POTS) The first thing to consider when selecting a system is compatibility with your current PBX. You've got to first determine whether or not it's possible to link the phone system of your choice with your existing equipment. Select a system that's compatible with your current PBX so you won't have to re-install software and hardware when upgrading. Here are some resources to help you find out if an upgrade is possible: How Expensive is an Upgrade?
The next thing to consider before you start shopping is how much flexibility you want in terms of changing equipment, changing vendors and updating the system itself. Think carefully about what every product can and cannot do, then decide whether it will serve all your needs or just part of them.
If you're running a small business and you don't have a lot of extra money to invest in the phone system, you'll want to go with something that can interface with many different vendors. If, on the other hand, you have the budget for it and need to accommodate a wide range of technologies and functions in your system, consider purchasing an integrated phone system. You may be able to get all the options that you need for a better price by purchasing an integrated solution or by combining several products into one.
How much will it cost? Anywhere from $350 to over $10,000! There are good deals out there—just make sure it's all right with your company's budget before taking the plunge.
How much will it cost? Anywhere from $350 to over $10,000! There are good deals out there—just make sure it's all right with your company's budget before taking the plunge.
Here are some of the main phone system categories:
On-premise solutions: These systems are installed on your own premises. They can use a variety of methods for connecting your phone lines to the Internet — regular telephone lines, VoIP lines and cellular/satellite links. On-premise systems provide total control over how you set up each extension or other feature for your business.
These systems are installed on your own premises. They can use a variety of methods for connecting your phone lines to the Internet — regular telephone lines, VoIP lines and cellular/satellite links. On-premise systems provide total control over how you set up each extension or other feature for your business.
Cloud-based solutions: These systems work via the internet and involve accessing a server via your Internet connection. Cloud-based phone systems are typically more flexible than traditional on-premise systems, allowing you to add features easily and change the system's configuration at any time without having to redo everything. On the downside, you'll pay a monthly fee for these systems.
These systems work via the internet and involve accessing a server via your Internet connection. Cloud-based phone systems are typically more flexible than traditional on-premise systems, allowing you to add features easily and change the system's configuration at any time without having to redo everything. On the downside, you'll pay a monthly fee for these systems.
IP-PBX: This is an abbreviation for interconnecting multiple PBX units over IP (Internet Protocol). The main advantages of IP PBXs are scalability and flexibility. Oftentimes they include aspects of SIP trunking to connect multiple users with many different extensions in one system.
This is an abbreviation for interconnecting multiple PBX units over IP (Internet Protocol). The main advantages of IP PBXs are scalability and flexibility. Oftentimes they include aspects of SIP trunking to connect multiple users with many different extensions in one system.
Intercom systems: These systems connect a number of extension to a single centralized location where calls are routed. We've got a whole page dedicated to Intercom Systems, so you'll want to check that out as well.
These systems connect a number of extension to a single centralized location where calls are routed. We've got a whole page dedicated to Intercom Systems, so you'll want to check that out as well.
Voice solutions: Voice systems are designed to handle voice calls only. They may also be integrated with other features such as voicemail, intercom, fax and more.
Voice systems are designed to handle voice calls only. They may also be integrated with other features such as voicemail, intercom, fax and more.
Fax solutions: If your business doesn't have a need for a full-featured phone system but you still have needs for sending and receiving faxes, there are simple VoIP solutions that include the ability to send and receive faxes from a single device or from multiple devices connected via IP phone lines. These solutions don't take up much space and can be purchased at very affordable prices.
Conclusion
The Ultimate Guide to Business Phone Systems will help you find the right phone system for your business. It may not be a simple as just browsing through a couple of best-selling guides, though — this process is never that easy. But don't let that scare you away. If you've got no clue where to start looking, check out the 7 Questions to Ask Before You Buy a Business Phone System article, where I'll help guide you along the way.