It can be a challenging process to select the right telephone system for your business. Several factors should be considered. Here are a few thoughts that may help you with this exercise.
Reliability is a critical component to any business telephone system. Traditional PBX systems with analog or digital (PRI) connections to the outside world provide proven and reliable service for voice connections with your customers and suppliers. VoIP (Voice over IP) on the other hand is increasingly becoming a popular choice. However, VoIP is dependent upon a reliable internet connection. Before selecting a VoIP service, be sure to have your internet service analyzed for suitability for use as a voice path. Remember, a great internet service for file transfers and email communication may not be suitable for voice transmission.
Cost
Whether your business is small, medium or large, cost is an important part of the equation. Obviously, you will want to ensure an appropriate ROI (return on investment) while maintaining a reasonable TCO (total cost of ownership). Things for you to consider include the value of features best suited to meet your customer service and productivity objectives. Do your requirements include a telephone system that delivers voice communication and multimedia sessions such as video over the internet. Enterprise organizations that have offices spread out across the world may prefer VoIP systems because your location ceases to be an issue.
Flexibility with Modular Options
Both hosted (cloud) and premise based VoIP services can combine web conferencing, fax, voicemail to email, instant chat, and web conferencing with the traditional process of just picking up a phone and making a call. With VoIP smartphone apps, users can now take their office extensions with them wherever they go. You may want to consider a modular system that can combine premise based digital and VoIP components along with a cloud based system that offers the best of both worlds. Whatever choice you make, be sure to ask about an available managed services program to include peace-of-mind and reliability.
