subject: Business Telephone Systems - Advice From An Expert [print this page] Business Telephone Systems - Advice From An Expert
Making and receiving telephone calls is an important part of all business operations, and so having the right kind of telephone system in place is something that needs to carefully thought about. Whilst all of the main types of business telephone systems essentially do the same thing (i.e. make and receive calls), there are significant differences in the way that they work, their capacity and their price. What follows is a brief overview of your options...
Private Branch Exchange Telephone Systems (PBX) - Unlike other telephone systems, this one is compact and flexible. It has more features than the other options and is easier to upgrade and to customize according to your needs. It can hold over fifty extensions and so is a good choice for large companies. However, as this system is the most advanced and provides the biggest capacity, it is the most expensive one.
Key Telephone Systems - The fact that this telephone system is well priced and easy to set-up means that it is a popular choice. It is ideal for businesses with between ten and fifty employees. Though it can cope with more than fifty extensions, that is not really what it was designed for, however, it is not difficult to combine it with a PBX system if you buy this system and later take more employees.
Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) - This system is both the cheapest and the easiest to set-up. Unfortunately, it also the most basic of the four types of telephone systems and many of the features found on other systems are not available on this system. For businesses with just a few employees, and especially businesses who need to keep costs down to an absolute minimum, it is the best option.
KSU-Less Telephone Systems - This is the most common type of telephone system in use which is testament to the fact that it provides what most small businesses need. It can accommodate up to ten extensions, is easy to install and can be moved from one office to another (if you need to relocate). It is not particularly easy to upgrade, which is its only real drawback.
Ultimately, which telephone system you use is less down to personal preference and more down to the size of your business and how much you expect it to grow over the next few years. If you are not sure which one to opt for then speaking to a consultant at a firm that specializes in these systems is advisable.
