Tips to Choose the Right Phone System
April 15, 2014
By Lavanya Rathnam, TMCnet Contributing Writer
A good phone system has become a bare necessity in today's connected business world. However, finding the right phone system for a business is a challenge because of the many options available in the market today. Below are some aspects that users should consider before choosing a phone system.
Size of the System
The size of the phone system is the number of lines, extensions or connections, and is expressed as “Lines X Phones.” For example, 6 X 16 means there are six lines and sixteen phones that will use these six lines. The number of lines or phones that a business needs depends to a large extent on the usage and the number of employees.
Alignment with the Business Plan
It is important to buy a phone system that is in alignment with the business goals, especially if the business is likely to include remote workers or new branches in the future. In such a case, the business needs a flexible phone system that would grow and scale with the business, according to Courtney Kauffman of PE.com.
Existing Infrastructure
Before buying a phone system, it is important for the business to evaluate its current infrastructure. This evaluation is particularly applicable for VoIP phones, as bigger systems will consume more Internet bandwidth.
Features of the Phone (News - Alert) System
Another important aspect is the feature-set of the phone system. It is a good idea for users to make a list of features they want such as caller ID, call forwarding, conferencing and voicemail before heading out to look at different options.
In short, buying a phone system can be an overwhelming experience. The above tips are sure to go a long way in helping users zero in on the right system.
Edited by Rory J. Thompson