A phone system is crucial to any business, especially a small business. As a small business owner you cannot afford the huge billboards, glossy flyers, and expensive websites that large companies employ in order to win customers, nor can you personally visit each of your clients, customers, vendors and franchisees. A reliable business phone system helps you keep in touch with the people that are important to your business.
The three major ones are KSU less, Key Systems and Private Branch Exchange. This article explains the different types and the advantages and disadvantages of each.
KSU Less Systems The KSU Less Systems are the best option for small businesses. If you employ less than 10 people, then the KSU Less phones will give you all the necessary facilities.
Advantages of the KSU Less System
1.The KSU Less Systems can be transferred to other locations easily, since they do not require permanent electricity sources.
2.The KSU Less System is less expensive compared to other kinds of business phone systems.
3.You can designate particular extensions for different people.
4.Privacy is guaranteed through restrictions on calls to different areas and barriers against anyone accidentally listening to the conversation through another line.
5.KSU less Phones are not routed through a central control box. Therefore, you do not need to invest in additional space and funds to install a central control.
Disadvantages of the KSU Less System
1.Companies selling KSU Less Systems do not provide extensive installation and maintenance support. You need to install the phone system on your own, and take care of maintenance glitches as well.
2.If you are holding simultaneous conversations with two or more people, the conversations may cross each other.
Private Branch Exchange (PBX) If your business has expanded and you need a bigger and more sophisticated system, you could consider investing in the PBX system. While the PBX is more expensive than the KSU Less, it is a good investment if you need additional features that are not there in the latter, of if you employ more than 40 people.
Advantages of PBX
1.The vendor provides installation and maintenance.
2.A single phone number as your official contact will reach all employees.
3.Possesses a Web Configuration facility.
Key Systems
With the Key Systems a central control unit or Key manages functions like dedicated lines for particular conversations.
Advantages of Key Systems
1.The Key Systems allow you to call another extension.
2.They are secure against someone accidentally overhearing the conversation on another line.
Final Thought When investing in a business phone system, you must keep all the above points in mind. If you have a small business, you can use the KSU Less System since it is more cost effective. If you employ more than 10 people, then the PBX System should be a good option. The PBX Key hybrids that have been recently launched in the market are also worth a look. If you need to know more about the advantages of different systems, then you should consult a small business advisor.
Business VoIP, Voice over Internet Protocol, has completely changed business phone system technology. Businesses are reducing costs using VoIP, improving customer service while gaining access to features and applications that increase worker productivity. The best business phone systems can stand the test of time and grow with your business needs. A business VoIP phone system is a long term asset that should serve your business for many years. Purchasing the wrong business phone system can be a costly mistake. It can mean high levels of maintenance, service calls, and hardware that becomes obsolete in a couple of years. Service interruption alone can cost a business that relies on customer phone calls a tremendous amount of money. Most businesses spend a lot of time and money trying to get people to call so it is very important that those calls are handled with the utmost care. If they're not, prospective customers are lost, profits are lost, and the business will suffer. It is important to have a reliable business phone system, skilled receptionists, and a voicemail system that works. When a business decides to make the change to VoIP, professional help is needed all along the way from purchase to installation and administration to ensure a seamless transition to a new phone system. Important features such as call recording, call monitoring, call transfer, conference, hold, and access to the voicemail system must be considered. The business VoIP phone system that you choose should be designed for many years of quality service. With VoIP service, phone calls travel over the internet as data just like e-mail does. A VoIP Business phone system can dramatically lower your telecommunications costs while increasing worker productivity. A recent survey estimated that the increased productivity, enabled by business VoIP, added up to 3.9 hours per week, per employee. VoIP technology also provides useful features and capabilities that a conventional phone system can't offer. VoIP service makes your phone system highly flexible, you can use your VoIP phone system anywhere there is a broadband connection. Many business VoIP systems include telephony software that enables you to send and receive calls using a headphone/microphone unit connected to your laptop. Many VoIP services allow you to have voice mail and faxes automatically forwarded to your regular e-mail inbox. Your phone number can have any available area code, not just the one assigned to your region which is a plus if your business is located in one city and your customers are in another. No matter what size your business is, VoIP is a surprisingly flexible, affordable technology. Nationally recognized as a leader in the field of phone systems Cross Telecom (www.crosstelecom.com is uniquely equipped to develop your communications plan from start to finish.
Both David Gass & J.smith are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
David Gass has sinced written about articles on various topics from Accounting Guide, Finances and Network Marketing. David Gass is President of Business Credit Services, Inc. His company publishes a free weekly e-newsletter on Small Business Consulting at their