subject: Technologies Involved In Business Telephone Systems [print this page] The size and the specific requirements of your business are determining factors when you are choosing a commercial telephone system. The features of these
telephone systems ensure easy and effective communication within the different individuals, teams and departments of the company as well as with others
business and the way they operate. The technology behind each system plays a significant role in the features it offers and the charges it incurs.
This helps in determining which would be appropriate for your business.
The Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) System: This is essentially a telephone system based on the Internet. If you have a small office with only
a few employees, this could be the right system for communications. The system offers a few lines of communication and basic voice mailboxes.
The system requires that you have the necessary computer network bandwidth for calling. Moreover, the system also requires specialised equipment for
calling, and therefore, is a suitable solution only if you are using it for a limited number of users. You may be able to use regular telephone equipment
with the right adapters.
The Key System: This is a good choice if your business employs 20-30 individuals. This offers basic features for communication. However, this
If all you want is to ensure ease of communication between the employees working in your office, this is the right option for you. Internal extensions and
essential features are available with this system. The chances of customisation are minimal in this business telephone system.
The PBX System: This is a suitable choice if you need a phone system that can cater to a large business. The system uses onsite switching equipment
for call routing between internal and external lines. Even if you have few employees presently, it is better to opt for this system if you plan to expand
your business and employ more people soon.
This business telephone system offers numerous features for a business, including auto-attendant, auto dialling, call forwarding, conference calling, call
waiting, and call transferring. Moreover, you can also integrate the system with internal extensions, fax machines and modems.
How do you know which phone system would be right for your business? If you operate a small business with 4-5 employees, a VoIP phone system may be
suitable for your company. However, if you are planning to employ more people soon, this would not be a good option, as any addition to the system would
imply higher costs.
The PBX system would be ideal if you have more than 35 employees and are planning to appoint more. This would also be necessary if your business requires
sophisticated communication features. You may opt for virtual PBX system where this is layered on to your existing telephone system to provide your business
