A business phone system is much than a standard telephone. We’ve come a long way from switchboards and landlines. As technology grows, every aspect of the workplace continues to change. This process of evolution includes the phone systems that you use every day. A business phone system is basically a telephone network that you can establish exclusively for your business. It uses the internet rather than conventional phone lines.
These office phones also have many features that standard phones do not. A business phone system has many benefits that will enhance any workplace. There are lots of options out there, and it can be difficult to choose.
Advantages of a Business Phone System
Before you start worrying about which provider to select, you should ask what kind of telephone system you want. There are many benefits that you can get from networks like VoIP phone systems. It is vital that you understand the features you are looking for before you go looking for a provider.
- Cost: The price of a VoIP phone system is going to be less expensive than an old-school standard phone. Long-distance calls over the internet will always cost less than your landline.
- Travel: A business VoIP phone system is very flexible when it comes to moving around. If your employees are changing offices or desks, their phone numbers can easily be transferred with them. With the advantages of the cloud, these phone numbers can also travel with your people anywhere that has an internet connection.
- Features: Even a small business phone system will offer features like auto-attendant, call transfer, caller ID, call recording, and call hunt. Depending on your devices and provider, your phone system could also include video conferencing and other advanced communication options.
- Integration: Just because you have upgraded your telephone network doesn’t mean you have to say goodbye to all your old technology. VoIP systems can be integrated to accept faxes and even operate in tandem with old-school phones.
Finding the Right System for You
Once you know what a business phone system can do for your company, it is time to find a provider that offers the features you want. It is all about finding the right fit for your company. You want to work with a provider that has many options and can adapt their services to your need. There are some simple questions you can ask of any provider to find out if they are right for you.
- Do they work with leading brand names like Cisco business phones? Hardware like Cisco phones can scale up or down for the simple or complex requirements of any business.
- What are their hosting options? You can opt for a private network that only exists on-site, or you can use the cloud. Both choices have their benefits, and both support VoIP systems. A private network will have more hardware costs but is more customizable. A cloud-based will have fewer equipment costs.
- Do they offer all the features you want? If you are upgrading your business phone system, can they provide you with all the advantages you can get? Make sure your provider delivers options like voicemail, auto-receptionist, and call recording.
The process of finding the best business phone system for your company is really about education. Learning all the advantages of VoIP-style systems and how they enhance your company. Once you have educated yourself and set your goals, finding a partner to provide your new phone system will be much more straightforward.
