| If you are considering installing an office telephone | | | | the company in the near future. It is no good installing |
| system, the following may help you choose the most | | | | an office telephone system that is not going to be |
| suitable one for your business. | | | | adequate a few years down the line. While you may |
| Identifying your business needs | | | | save on the costs now, if your system is not scalable |
| Deciding exactly what you want from your business | | | | you may have to pay out again to replace the whole |
| system is the first step to take. Ask yourself: | | | | lot. |
| · How many staff need to have immediate access | | | | Costs |
| to a phone? | | | | Typically, there are variable cost implications you may |
| · How many internal and external telephone lines are | | | | be faced with when installing an office telephone |
| needed? | | | | system. These may include: |
| · Do we have a receptionist or are you planning on | | | | · Any start-up costs; |
| employing one? | | | | · The equipment itself; |
| · Are you planning to expand your company in the | | | | · The installation of the system; |
| future? | | | | · The maintenance and any management of the |
| · Do you have offices elsewhere that will need to be | | | | office telephone system. |
| included within the system? | | | | Depending on the company and the system you |
| · Do you want to include staff mobiles within the | | | | choose, costs can vary often quite dramatically. |
| business telephone system? | | | | The equipment costs all depend on your chosen |
| · Do you want the latest technology - if so, will you | | | | telephone system and the kit you have chosen. Costs |
| actually use it? | | | | usually start from hundreds' of pounds to many |
| Thinking about these points will give you a better idea | | | | thousands, depending on the size of your business. |
| as to the type of office telephony solution that will suit | | | | The installation costs may depend on your business |
| your business. Below we look a little further in to some | | | | telephone system supplier; the type of system; the |
| of them. | | | | equipment they have to install; and any extras that |
| Considerations in more depth | | | | may be needed. |
| If you do not need to have a telephone on each desk | | | | For maintenance and management of the telephone |
| in the office then of course, the start-up costs when | | | | system, you may have to pay monthly or you may |
| installing small business telephone systems may be | | | | pay a one off annual fee. Maintenance contracts may |
| lower. Therefore, this is one of the first considerations | | | | be available to cover your system for any faults 24 |
| you need to make. However do not cut down just to | | | | hours a day 365 days a week, while others will cover |
| save money if it may affect how efficiently your | | | | just normal office hours. This is something important to |
| business might run. | | | | check to ensure that any future hiccups with the |
| The number of internal and external telephone lines | | | | telephone system won't affect the smooth running of |
| you need may have some bearing on the type of | | | | your business for too long. |
| system and your Internet connection. If you rely on the | | | | All of the above factors need to be weighed up when |
| Internet for your business, it makes sense to have a | | | | you are considering installing an office telephone |
| fast connection that does not interfere with making | | | | system. Taking care when choosing your system may |
| phone calls. | | | | pay dividends in the future, and in the end may save |
| If you have a receptionist that is able to take all | | | | you time and money. |
| incoming calls, then life may be so much easier, as | | | | Talking to the experts, combined with using the |
| they will be able to re-route incoming calls to specific | | | | knowledge above, can help you find the most suitable |
| departments or team members. | | | | office telephone systems for your business. |
| Give some thought to whether you may be expanding | | | | |