Business Telephone Services – A Beginner
A business telephone system is usually delivered as either a dedicated hosted service or a managed service. Most commonly referred to as an enterprise PBX, a dedicated hosted business telephone system can save companies from having to purchase the more expensive, high-end equipment of a traditional private branch exchange (PBA). A hosted PBX system can allow you to manage and maintain your system on your own terms, instead of being forced to buy or lease a full PBX system from a major telco. The most cost effective and easiest way to set up an office PBX system is with a managed service.
Most businesses opt for their own telephone system because it is a more cost-effective way to run a business. A business can pay monthly fees for unlimited PBX service or a single line of phone service for a large number of users. An unmanaged system can cost several thousand dollars or more, but it requires little maintenance and can be set up and managed with ease.
When it comes to deciding on the type of telephone system you need, there are a few things to consider before making the decision. The following paragraphs discuss each of these topics.
The first consideration is what type of features you want. Some features such as video conferencing can be very expensive to set up and maintain and can cost even more to buy and maintain. For those who are not sure what features they will need, ask a professional for help.
Second, you should decide what additional features you will need. Some features, such as voicemail, call forwarding, call waiting, and faxes, can be included in your plan. Other features may include voice mail, caller ID, call screening, call waiting, and call transferring.
Third, look at the features of any service provider you are interested in. For example, some companies do not have the capability to call outside the United States. The features you need may be determined by your geographic location.
Fourth, research the different types of business telephone systems available. If you are a small business, many companies that provide a managed PBX service will provide you with a virtual PBX number that can be used for international calls. If you are a large company, however, you may need a dedicated hosted system. There are a lot of differences between these two options.
Finally, ask the company you select for references and testimonials. You can visit several web sites of these companies to find out more about how they work, whether or not they have the features you need, and to check out customer reviews and ratings. A reputable company with positive reviews will always be easier to work with than a company without reviews.
With this information, you should now have a good idea of what type of telephone system you need. Once you know the specific features you will need, you should also decide which company to work with. It is important that you find a business telephone system that meets all your needs and provides you with the best value.
Finding the right business telephone service provider is easy if you research each company thoroughly. There are several different types of businesses that use telecommunication devices, and they can vary widely in their service. This is why it’s important to do your homework before choosing a particular service provider.
For a listing of local business directories, you can visit the yellow pages or a search engine such as Google or Yahoo. Look for phone directory listings and search through the company website to get an idea of the amount of experience the company has with telecommunication services. Ask the company for references or reviews from past customers and contact them.
Once you have found the company you are looking for, make an appointment for a consultation to meet with them to discuss your needs and find out about their services and prices. You can also find out about any additional services that might be available in order to support your business with better productivity.