Business Telephone Options in 2018
If you're looking for new business phone system in 2018 you have quite a few options, but you need to ask yourself a few questions first. The needful phone system that includes desktop phones or could you get by with a virtual phone system that relies on your mobile device? If you need desk telephones what kind of service do you want? You need to choose between the traditional landline telephone or voice over Internet protocol system. If you choose voice over IP you want to have the system in your business, on the premises, or have it hosted by service provider that is cloud-based?
We will go over the following types of phone systems: virtual phone systems, land lines, VOIP, and cloud systems.
Virtual phone systems
Virtual phone systems work by connecting a main business phone number to remote workers through their mobile home phones. These types of systems work essentially as a call forwarding solution, where the calls are forwarded to each employee's designated home, usually a cell phone, when a customer or client calls the business phone number. These systems are run through a number of different apps and feature a variety of features. Some of these phone systems have automated receptionists, voicemail, call forwarding, call screening, and online document sending. Advantage of these systems are that they are very flexible and allow businesses and employees working from a variety of locations to communicate with each other through business phone numbers and lines. Virtual phone systems also give remote employees access to a variety of features typically only found on in-house business phone systems. These virtual systems are not, however, for future business phone systems. Your calls are still processed on your mobile home phone network, which means you will still be charged for the call on your virtual system through your global cell phone plan, and all applicable cell phone plans and possible app purchases will apply these virtual systems.
Traditional landline systems
landline phone systems are traditional phones supported by a local or regional phone company. Landmines, also known as public switched telephone networks, or analog systems that run through the phone company's copper wiring infrastructure. In order for a business to run a landline service, you will need private branch exchange hardware. This is the hardware that used to create multiple extensions and allow phone system features such as call transferring and call directories. Some landmine systems are considered hybrid voice over IP systems, where the traditional phone service connects to the business's data network and then the data network is used to connect to each individual phone. Most landline systems are being phased out by business phone system providers. Some pros of landmine systems are that they are reliable time-tested solutions that most people are comfortable using. Symptoms are that most providers of living away from landmines making them less supported and more difficult to repair. Landmine systems also typically offer fewer features than voice over IP or database systems.
VOIP phone systems
Instead of traditional copper wire voice over IP phone systems use the same Internet connection accompanies already using to access the Internet. Voice over IP phone systems use data cables and an Internet connection, allowing many more options for your business phone system. VoIP systems provide features that are previously only seen by large organizations with bigger budgets. All of the features that using PBX hardware made available or easily integrated with the VoIP system. Web based systems also easily give remote workers access to a businesses phone system from the device. Some pros of VoIP phone systems are that they provide a sophisticated phone system complete with all needed options. These systems are easy to setup and configure, and are typically far cheaper than landline systems. The lower cost makes this a viable option for small and midsize businesses who don't have the same budget as large corporations. A drawback of the VoIP phone system is that the systems rely directly on your Internet connection. If you have spotty Internet service or if your Internet goes down you will lose your phone system. These systems are best for small businesses wanting the functionality of the sophisticated phone system but they don't have the budget for a fully integrated data and landline system together.
Additionally VoIP phone systems are split into on premises systems and cloud-based systems. And on premises VoIP system includes PBX hardware that connects to the telephone provider as well as the data connection within your business VoIP set up. This allows the business to always be in control of the service and rely on themselves to ensure functionality and uptime. There significant upfront costs with on premises VoIP systems that include PBX hardware and the business will have to hire full-time staff to support the system. With cloud-based systems there is no maintenance or hardware other than the phone to worry about. The service provider maintains and upgrades all of the technology and hardware for you. The cloud allows growing businesses to easily make changes by adding lines and providing access to new features. These systems are typically structured with very low upfront costs if any, and a monthly fee per user basis.
Typically large businesses will choose an on premises voice over IP system, giving them complete control over their phone system and voice communication options. This requires a high budget and full-time staff, but gives the business the most control and options. Typically the best choice for small to midsize businesses is a cloud-based voice over IP system. These systems have low monthly rates and low upfront costs, and gives a small or midsize business all of the features that big businesses are used to. If you're interested in phone system options for your business give us a call today
