| The small business phone service has always been | | | | of modern business phone systems, owners have |
| the main type of telecommunication service for the | | | | options to hire a consultant in arranging the technology, |
| small business owners, although large businesses have | | | | or register to an external small business phone service. |
| upgraded to more advanced technology today. Most | | | | The majority of small business owners normally |
| businesses own a PBX or key based phone system. | | | | choose the latter option for the next few years. |
| The need to own a dedicated private branch for | | | | In choosing the 'quality' of small business phone service, |
| communication exchange was a need that business | | | | see it has several features for a reasonably combined |
| owners assumed part of the normal business | | | | price. A good feature would be an automated |
| functions. The traditional PBX was expensive, rigid, | | | | attendant. This offers a recording system which you |
| hard wired and lacked integration with other | | | | can set to greet callers/customers and at the same |
| technologies. But small business owners were stuck | | | | time offer them options for what they need. This |
| with traditional TDM based small business phone | | | | feature offers convenience and simply answers to the |
| service as large enterprises migrate to IP based | | | | direct needs of your customers. So if you do not have |
| switches or PBX systems. Large businesses usually | | | | enough employees to attend to all phone calls |
| have the resources to take advantage of new | | | | constantly, this feature especially comes in handy |
| technologies. | | | | during busy business hours. It can be 24 hours a day, |
| But today, the IP based PBX system is now balanced | | | | so it is like having your personal assistant do the extra |
| in size and price. Small business owners can now | | | | work for you at no additional cost. Another important |
| afford to take advantage of the latest in IP PBX | | | | consideration in a business phone service is the cost, |
| technology. However, many are questioning the | | | | of course you cannot overlook the cost aspect when |
| significance of owning a phone system. Investing in | | | | it comes to business. Since many new services use |
| technology can either increase productivity or increase | | | | Internet capability to make calls, among other things, |
| risks for failure such as rapid depreciation and failure to | | | | this saves a lot of money for the company. New |
| meet expectations, if not the loss of scarce | | | | phone service systems can save a company or |
| commodity that lags your business process. For many | | | | enterprise about 30-50% more than the cost of |
| of us new technologies can be enticing, but they can | | | | traditional phone service systems. The good thing |
| also be major distractions. Small business owners | | | | about these new services is that they offer not only |
| having only limited resources can hardly afford the | | | | reasonable price but also the same great features like |
| cost of a technology patch. Given the complex issues | | | | long distance calling, conference calling and voicemail. |