What to Expect When Buying a New Phone System

Purchasing a new phone system for the office is a challenging task. How do you select the right option to ensure the best performance, lowest cost and that it will fit your needs? Plus, it’s no longer a matter of selecting between landline options; you now have to consider whether or not business VoIP and the virtual PBX are right for your environment.

A blog was recently posted by business VoIP and virtual PBX provider, Nextiva, on the topic of best practices for buying a business phone system. The first point made is to consider the benefits associated with moving communications to the cloud. Your business instantly gains access to seamlessly forwarded calls to cell phones, integrated offices regardless of locations and the ability to apply instant fixes when things go wrong.

What are your goals?

Before selecting that vendor, however, it’s important to establish your goals. This requires a closer look at what you love and hate when it comes to your current phone system. Are there things missing that you would really like to have? Keep in mind that the phone system impacts all of your customers and therefore, it pays to dedicate the necessary time to selecting the right vendor for the business. Involve the management team in the process and develop a wish list for the next phone service provider to fulfill.

What do you know about the vendors?

Complete research must be done on all providers before a decision is made. There are already a number of quality providers on the market, promising to meet your expectations. How do you separate the marketing hype from the true value-added resources? Do independent research where information is provided by third-parties unaffiliated with the brands. Talk to other customers who have had a provider’s service to understand performance and satisfaction in the real world. Call the customer service department to ask questions. If you’re rushed through the call, this gives you an indication of their approach to customer care.

What does your gut tell you?

It can also be valuable to go with your gut. You know what you need and where you need added value to make your phone system perform according to your expectations. You also know what kind of downtime you can and cannot afford. Look for the vendor able to deliver on these expectations and then examine the solutions they have to offer. Very few providers waver much in the way of new offerings, so take a look at the way in which they support you after the sale. This is where the rubber meets the road – if you can’t stay connected to your customers at all times, there’s no value in that new system.