Tips for Choosing the Right Business Phone System

One of the benefits of advancing technology is that the big budgets of major companies are no longer necessary to enjoy feature-rich business phone arrangements. Modern IP phone systems can offer integrated features to support common business needs in today's fast-paced and increasingly mobile world. There are multiple types of IP phone systems available that businesses can choose from, and they are all different in unique ways. Here are some tips to help identify which phone system will best suit your needs.

Identify Your Communication Needs

If you are considering switching to an IP phone system, then it is likely that your current arrangement is not working out as well as you would like. What need is not being met that you want your new system to address? For instance, some multi-site companies find that they have to rely on different phone systems for each office, making communication difficult. Some might find that customers are spending excessive time on hold or being sent to voicemail. Maybe your existing conference call services are becoming too costly or your employees are increasingly relying on cellphones in the office because your current infrastructure lacks modern conveniences and features. Clearly lay out the needs that you want addressed and use this information to narrow down which IP phone services you will work with. Rank these needs by priority in case it becomes necessary to compromise.

Establish Your Budget and Examine Costs

There is no escaping the fact that any phone system, IP or otherwise, will have costs attached. Take a careful look at the costs associated with each phone system option, including those incurred from equipment, service set-up fees, maintenance agreements, internal costs of operation, and any training that may be required for your staff. When doing budget calculations, it is also important to keep in mind how scalable your prospective system will be. Your business will ideally grow in the future, after all, so it is important to keep in mind how expensive and/or tricky it will be to expand the phone system down the line.

Consider Which Type of IP Phone System You Want

Broadly speaking, IP phone systems are either on premise or in the cloud. On-premise arrangements are when the company buys its own hardware and software and manages the phone system itself. Cloud-based, or "hosted", services are when the main infrastructure is housed and managed by the system provider. Each method has its pros and cons, but the most budget-conscious approach is to use the cloud, since hosted solutions eliminate many of the larger upfront costs that come with getting a new business phone system in Aurora.

Look for Accessibility

You may find an IP phone system that meets all of your needs, is readily affordable, and is the type of system you want. Unfortunately, none of this will help if the system is cumbersome or confusing. If your employees don't understand how to use the phone system or access its features, then they simply won't do it. Finding a system that is accessible and user-friendly is just as important as finding one that is affordable and has the features you need. Accessibility considerations are especially important if you are opting for an on-site approach where your IT staff will be maintaining the system. In this situation, it is important to consult with your IT workers to make sure that your existing hardware is compatible, that maintenance won't be too time-consuming, and so on.

Get Top-Tier Results with High Tech Communications

High Tech Communications, based in Aurora, has partnered with several best-of-breed cloud service providers to bring top-tier cloud services to you. In addition to cloud telephony, we offer a number of high-end IP phone systems and data solutions (on site or in the cloud) that can benefit a host of GTA sectors such as education, healthcare, hospitality, call centres, and countless types of businesses. Our integrated network partnerships allow us to offer dedicated communications support across regional, national, and even international accounts.For more information on IP phone services, please feel free to contact us toll-free at 1-800-853-2335.