22 July 2014

What To Consider When Buying Office Phone Systems

By Coleen Torres


An office phone system is an important part of an internet protocol network. It seamlessly connects voice, data, video conferencing and internet messaging among other essential applications of business communication. It makes basic and sophisticated business communications less costly regardless of whether it is used in large or small firms. With office phone systems, you can reduce the cost of making long distance calls since they will enable you to use data networks to make national and international calls at low rates.

With a telephone system, you can also reduce the costs associated with moving or changing a phone extension. You will be able to save money and time if you find it necessary to add a new site or a new employee. Accessibility, improved customer service and ease to use are the other benefits of opting to use this system. Phone systems are available in different configurations and have different features.

In order to find the right telephone system for your company, you should consider a number of things. One of the things to consider is what your users need. The right system can provide your employees with necessary tools needed to increase efficiency. Consider if your workforce needs rich media conferencing tools or one telephone number that rings simultaneously on several devices.

Some of the capabilities and features you should consider when selecting the right phone system for your enterprise include video conferencing, automated attendant, intercom, paging and presence technology. This is the ability to identify who is available at any moment in your organization. The other important feature is unified messaging, with notification taking place through text message, telephone or email.

Another factor to consider as you shop for a telephone system is the call volume and number of extensions required. This will enable you choose the right type and size of telephone system. If your office is small, you can choose a system that is designed to be used in an office that has twenty users or less. If your business is large, you can select a system that can connect one or more office locations into one telephone system. Installing such a system is complex and requires multiple telephone lines in the form of specialized circuits.

In a small office, only basic functions like voicemail, transferability, conferencing ability and direct inward dialing are required. Music on hold is the other important feature of a telephone system. It enables an organization to play messages or music as clients wait for customer service to pick a call.

Large organizations usually require a telephone system that is more robust because call volume is high. You should buy a system that is able to meet the demand of the high call volume such as being able to route calls efficiently and quickly if you have a company or large business. You should also choose systems that have standard features like call parking, call forwarding and call monitoring.

If it is necessary to employ an operator, you should choose a phone system that comes with an attendant console. The console has several buttons and is able to receive and route a large number of calls. The most important thing is to select a telephone system with capabilities and features that can meet the short and long term goals of your enterprise.




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