| ign="center"> | | | | purchase your unit from a value-added reseller or |
| Steps to buying IP PBX telephone systems | | | | integrator that will not only provide you with the |
| Buying an IP PBX telephone system is a major step, | | | | equipment, but will also install it, and maintain it over the |
| especially for a business that has decided to move | | | | long run. |
| from a traditional PBX to an IP PBX. More companies | | | | Other equipment |
| of all sizes are taking this step, and achieving good | | | | An IP PBX does not operate in isolation, and your |
| results, including lower costs, better features, and | | | | purchase decision will have to take into account |
| greater collaborative capabilities. But despite the | | | | compatibility with IP phones and PSTN VoIP gateways. |
| obvious advantages, purchasing an IP PBX telephone | | | | In most cases, this will not be a problem, but |
| system requires careful research and consideration, a | | | | compatibility is not universal, so make sure your IP PBX |
| good deal of planning, and a detailed analysis of your | | | | purchasing decision includes information about |
| current needs. | | | | compatibility with these other devices. |
| Hosted or on-premises? | | | | Security |
| The first step to making your buying decision is to | | | | When installing an IP PBX and VoIP service, security is |
| decide whether you want to deploy a hosted system | | | | a consideration. Make sure your IP PBX is compatible |
| or an on-premises system. Itâs not always an | | | | with your current firewall equipment. Most modern |
| obvious decision, but a hosted system is often best for | | | | firewalls are IP PBX compatible, but if you have older |
| smaller businesses, because it gives you the | | | | equipment you may need an upgrade. |
| advantage of lower up-front costs and easier | | | | IP phones |
| maintenance. An on-premises system does give you | | | | Another equipment consideration is the IP phones |
| more control over your telecom environment, although | | | | themselves. If you have a large investment already in |
| it is best-suited for companies that have in-house staff | | | | existing standard office phones, you need to consider |
| that have a competency in telecom maintenance. | | | | whether you want to replace them with new IP |
| Your needs analysis | | | | phones, or just add adapters to your existing phones. |
| Buying an IP PBX telephone system is a lot like buying | | | | The adapter option will mean lower up-front costs, but |
| a car. Thereâs a big difference between a | | | | it is possible that your old phones wonât be |
| Yugo and a Cadillac, and thereâs a big | | | | able to accommodate all the new features of your IP |
| difference between different vendorâs IP | | | | PBX. IP phones are generally more feature-rich. |
| PBX offerings. You need to decide ahead of time | | | | Who are you buying it from? |
| exactly what you need and want in your IP PBX, so | | | | There are two different areas to review here. |
| that you can make an intelligent comparison. The good | | | | Chances are, you are not buying direct from the |
| news is that the IP PBX is likely to come with far more | | | | manufacturer; rather, you are buying it from a |
| features than a conventional PBX, at little or no | | | | value-added reseller or integrator who is going to |
| incremental cost. | | | | handle all of the installation, integration and maintenance |
| Installation and support | | | | for you. This offers you the advantage of a single |
| After youâve bought it, what do you do with | | | | point of contact and knowledgeable staff. However, it |
| it? Unless you have skilled staff on hand, you will need | | | | will be necessary for you to research both the |
| to look to outside consultants to install and maintain | | | | manufacturer of the IP PBX, and the VARs |
| your IP PBX. This becomes a factor in your buying | | | | themselves in your decision-making process. |
| decision, and this is why it is often a good idea to | | | | |