A phone system is one of the most important purchases your business can make. The telephone is often the easiest way to reach your customers, clients, and partners. It should also be the easiest way for them to reach you. You do not want your important business callers to be routed incorrectly, disconnected, or faced with a bewildering array of automated options.There are many factors to consider when buying a telephone system. For example, you need to get enough capacity for your current needs while planning for growth. You will want to ensure compatibility with other equipment you already own or may need such as voicemail, messaging on hold, headsets, or conferencing equipment. And you will need to choose a phone system that supports all the features your business requires.Managing all of those factors while keeping costs down can be a huge challenge, but BuyerZone can help. This Buyer's Guide will help you understand the types of decisions you need to make and how to choose a phone system.
There are three major types of business phone systems on the market today. key systems, Private Branch Exchange PBX systems, and KSU less phones. The type of system you choose will depend on how many stations extensions you need and what features you require.
If your company has more than 40 employees, or if you demand advanced functionality from your phones, PBX systems are often the best solution. You may know PBX systems as the massive telecom cabinets used by huge companies. While that still can be the case for large installations, the technology has progressed to the point where a powerful PBX for a small company can sit unobtrusively on a desk.Most come standard with all the features you might want. In addition, they are totally programmable, so they can support the most complex implementations. You will likely pay a premium for this flexibility, but in many cases the price difference between PBX systems and less adaptable solutions will be smaller than you might expect.
In the 5 to 40 employee range, key systems are more typical. This type of phone system uses a central control device called the key system unit KSU to provide features that are not available with ordinary phones. For example, a central unit typically allows users to make calls to another in office extension, and prevents other users from accidentally picking up a line that is being used. Modern key systems also come standard with most features a business would expect but in some cases they are less customizable.
Demo the system. Test the system before you buy. Pictures and feature charts are insufficient for a purchase that will be used extensively by every person in your office. Some areas to assess. heck how phones feel in your hands, see how easy it is to access extensions and voicemail, and evaluate phone and speakerphone quality.
Check voicemail compatibility. Make sure any phone system you are considering is capable of working with a wide range of third party voicemail systems. By keeping your options open, you will minimize the chance of getting stuck with an inferior or overpriced product.
Get extra wiring installed. Avoid rewiring down the road and request that plenty of wiring be installed when the system is first purchased. A good benchmark is to ask for at least double the wiring you currently need. While this will add to the cost of installation, it will really only be a fraction of the cost you will face if wires need to be added later.
When to shop and buy. Shop for a dealer's advice at the beginning of the quarter when sales targets have just been set, and make your purchase at the end of the quarter when you can get a much lower price.
Saturday, December 13, 2008
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