It's not at all uncommon for businesses on the rise to quickly outgrow their existing phone systems. For those businesses that on the slow path toward growth, however, the point at which a new system seems eminent brings up a dilemma. Should they attempt to expand their existing system or take the plunge and purchase something new. Fortunately, there are a number of affordable options in most cases, whether buying new or trying to make the most of an old system.

Keyless systems, which most small to mid sized businesses start out with, are usually expandable to up to 50 handsets. Some manufacturers and aftermarket manufacturers offer products to make keyless systems in the 30 to 40 handset maximum range able to handle additional lines. Before thinking about a PBX, it's worthwhile for businesses to see how far they can expand with their current keyless system. For those with outdated keyless systems which can handle only 25 lines or less, a newer, used keyless system will likely double those capabilities and still be substantially more affordable than going with a PBX system.

For small businesses using KSU's, moving to a keyless system may not be necessary. Newer KSU's are as inexpensive as ever, and many can handle far more handsets than their immediate predecessors. A business that needs only one or two extra stations and doesn't anticipate expansion beyond a total of two lines and ten total extensions would do well to price newer models on the market. As always, KSU's are an exceptional value as the jump to keyless can be a major investment for small businesses.

If the move to a PBX is something that simply can't be avoided, it's going to cost quite a bit more than the KSU or keyless system it's replacing. Still, compared to the PBX of yesteryear, newer systems are more affordable than ever and no longer require a cabinet full of phone equipment.

The latest PBX systems work with analog telephones as well as VoIP. VoIP systems take advantage of existing office Internet connections to provide affordable phone service. The downside of VoIP, especially for businesses who rely on telephone interaction with customers, suppliers, distributors and other businesses, is that reliability is tied in with Internet access. Many late model PBX systems are capable of handling both.