The right phone system for your friend's business may not be the ideal business phone system for you. You have to understand that every business has its unique set of requirements. The modus operandi of two businesses cannot be exactly the same. The right system has to be chosen after consideration of several factors. While it is beyond the scope of one discussion as to what the variables may be at your office or worksite, here are some tips that should help you to choose the right system.
First, you should assess the needs of your business. What type of features do you need, how many inlets and outlets do you need? How many people would be connected to your system? What are the imperative features and what additional features would you want in your system?
For instance, you may want multiple extensions, voicemail feature, a remote voicemail pickup facility, call forwarding, route to fax capability, line hunt feature and multiparty conferencing from any line or extension. These are some features that are standard in many types of system but are not an assured list of attributes in every business phone. Make a list of such features and choose the right phone accordingly.
Second, you should decide the technology you wish to use. You can have standard business phone operating on standard PSTN lines. You may have ISDN lines. In another context, you may want to use PBX systems. You may opt for virtual PBX or onsite PBX. Likewise, you may wish to go for EPABX systems. You can also go for an IP business phone system or a VoIP based system. You have to understand your needs and determine a budget. Thereon, you can choose the technology. All the aforementioned technology choices are acceptable, as long as they have the features you need and fall within the budget you have in mind.
Third, you should consider the recurring expenses and the scope of expansion of your system. The right system should be scalable as and when you want, with or without any major investment. You should make choices according to what you might need in the recent future.
It is necessary these days to integrate your system with software applications and workstations. This would make you and your staffs' tasks simpler and easier. The right phone system has to be state of the art, staying in sync with changing and developing times.
