Irrespective of the type or size of business one owns, business telephone system forms an integral part of every business setup to facilitate communication among employees, associates and clients. To cater to the needs of different small level businesses, there are various types of phone systems available with varied features and functionalities. Good knowledge about these phone systems and their benefits is crucial in order to select the most suitable one capable of matching your small business needs effectively. Mentioned below are four primary types of phone systems popular these days.
KSU Systems
This small business phone system is ideal for businesses with total number of employees ranging from five to forty. This is a type of multi-line phone system which not only offers the basic features required by small businesses for their day to day processes, but the availability of additional and advanced features makes these phone systems highly popular. A central KSU or key system unit supports this phone system, which can be upgraded in order to meet the growing needs of small businesses.
Keyless Systems
Certainly the most common type of office phone system available, the keyless phone system works effectively for small businesses where the employee strength is ten or lesser. From two to four lines can be supported by this phone system which does not require to be wired permanently into an office. These phone systems are equipped with almost every basic feature required for the smooth functioning of a small business, without requiring installation of the central control unit; thus making it highly convenient to take the phone along in case of the change of location. Cost effectiveness is another reason for making keyless phone systems so popular, because the costs of installing one are lower as compared to other phone systems being offered in the market these days. The only drawback is that the keyless phone systems cannot be expanded to match the growing business needs. Also the installation, maintenance and programming related requirements of the phone system need to be handled by you.
Private Branch Exchange Systems (PBX)
Incorporated with a vast range of features, PBX phone systems are designed to meet the basic, as well as advanced needs of small businesses. It means that along with the basic features, advanced features can also be added later on. That is why these phone systems are equally preferred by small and big businesses which employee forty or number of employees. Its advanced capabilities allow this phone system to be easily integrated with the existing technologies and office configurations already in use. The cost of PBX phone systems generally varies depending upon the number of features selected. Although the initial cost of private branch exchange systems might seem to be high, the wide range of options and flexibility it offers makes it more affordable in the long run.
VoIP or Voice over IP Systems
Another popular type is the VoIP or Voice over IP is the latest addition to the list of phone systems available. These phone systems are specifically designed to ensure hassle free communication across long distances; thus making it a great choice for businesses operating from various locations. It means that users travelling anywhere around the globe can stay connected and receive and make the calls using the home number. This is made possible by its unique communication system which, instead of the traditional phone lines, uses the internet or other IP based network for routing the regular voice calls. Due to this reason a majority of businesses prefers VoIP systems to ensure uninterrupted functioning of tasks which might not be performed efficiently through traditional networks. Internet telephony is the other name given to VoIP system which makes a very cost effective option for making international or long distance calls and serve businesses of various sizes.
Selecting an appropriate phone system is not a complicated task, provided you know your requirements and aware of the features and qualities to look for in the new phone system. Carrying out careful research and analyzing the variety of phone systems available these days, can make the choice easier by helping you select a phone system capable of existing and upcoming needs of your small business.
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