Anavon Technology Group: What Phone System Should I Get for My MI Based Business?

Whether you’re opening up a new business and need new phones or wish to update your existing phone system, there are several options that you can choose from. Before you settle on a given telephone system, ask yourself this question. What features do I need?These are the features that bring value to your business. They give you and your employees the necessary tools to work efficiently. Some of the features available on a business telephone system include:

• Video or web conferencing support
• Automated attendant
• Paging
• Call forwarding and internet transferring
• Mobile softphones, for using computer as a phone
• Office Intercom
• Automated directory
• Ability to make or receive calls from smartphones

As mentioned above, there are different options for small business phone systems. To help you choose the telephone system that will suit your small business needs, let’s take a look at some of the options.

1. Voice Over IP Phone System

Anyone who has used Vonage or Skype is already familiar with VoIP. This technology allows users to make and receive voice calls using the Internet instead of the traditional copper wires that landlines use. A business VoIP system works mainly through desk handsets.

Pros

• Cheaper compared to other small business telephone systems. The cost is around $30 to $60 per line per month after deductions (taxes and fees). So, a Voice over IP system for seven employees will cost between $210-$420.

• Easy to install and use. With this system, you only need an Internet connection (which your business already has) and a VoIP handset (goes for as low as $30). When it comes to the installation, a provider can have the system up and running within a few minutes.

• Flexible. With this telephone system, you are not tied to your desk. This means that you can present the professional face of your business even while out of the office (by receiving incoming calls through your smartphone or preferred line).

Cons

• Dependent on wall power.
• Sound quality issues.
• 911 service does not work properly over this phone system

Overall: Voice Over IP phone systems are suited for sole-proprietor businesses or businesses with large groups of remote employees.

2. Private Branch Phone System

Private Branch Exchange, also known as PBX, is a telephone system within a business that uses switching technologies and voice control to operate a network of 40 or more terminals. Each of these terminals can transfer calls within the organization as well as to other telephone systems. This telephone system is owned and operated by the business rather than a telecom vendor.

Some of the features of this system are Interactive Voice Record (IVR), call transfers, call recording and ACD call queues.

Pros

• Users of this phone system can communicate within an enterprise or with other organizations using different communication channels such as ISDN or Voice over IP.
• The PBX allows a business to have more phones instead of having many physical phone lines (PTSN).
• Reliability. Unlike other phone systems that need the flow of electricity to function, Private Branch Exchange System has an uninterrupted power supply. This allows a company to stay connected even during power outages.

Cons

• Private Branch Exchange Systems are “single points of failure.” When one part of the telephone system fails, the entire system stops working. You also have to wait for the part to be shipped to your location for the vendor to fix the problem.

Overall: Private Branch Exchange System is better suited for medium sized businesses with over 40 employees.

3. KSU-Less System

The KSU-less system is among the most basic types of business phone systems suited for businesses with less than ten employees. The system offers most of the essential features of a larger telephone system but at a lower installation cost. The phones are also connected to each other without the need of installing a central control box or unit to operate.

Pros

• Flexibility – the system is not permanently wired into your business premises; therefore, it can easily be uninstalled and transferred to a different location.

• Is cheap to install and maintain – due to their inexpensive nature, KSU-less systems are not often sold or supported by telephone providers. You can, therefore, shop, install, program and maintain the system by yourself without the need of a professional telecom vendor.

Cons

• The system is susceptible to “crosstalk” – this is a problem where separate communication channels are transferred into each other.

Overall: The KSU-less system is an excellent system for small businesses that do not intend to increase their workforce to more than ten employees.

Final Words

To choose the right phone system, determine your business needs, budget and office set up. By the end of the day, the telephone system you choose should be able to help you achieve what you want: being accessible to your clients.