| It doesn't matter whether you're a start-up small | | | | always changing. Your office phone system needs to |
| company or an executive sourcing for a large | | | | adapt, as replacing obsolete systems negatively |
| company, a cost-saving efficient business telephone | | | | impacts on your original investment. Think about the |
| system is key to your business success. Finding the | | | | scalability of the system, not just on the number of |
| right business phone systems can feel time-draining | | | | users but also on calls volumes etc. |
| wading through mysterious jargon. Our tips can unravel | | | | The New Technologies |
| the jargon, saving precious hours and outlay. | | | | These certainly help with a credible modern image. |
| Your Partners | | | | They should also save money and maximise |
| The market is undoubtedly complex, but it will save | | | | efficiency - VOIP for business means cheaper calls |
| you time and outlay if you choose a provider with | | | | routed via the web. Many newer devices are VOIP |
| strong technical expertise and good business | | | | enabled plus mobile devices double as PDAs, with |
| customer care. Experience in providing dedicated | | | | email, contacts, calendars, instant messaging, video |
| telephony solutions to your size business is vitally | | | | calling and other major applications. |
| important. | | | | Your Supplier |
| Keep It Jargon Free | | | | When choosing your business phone systems supplier, |
| Keeping abreast of all the jargon (VOIP for business, | | | | look at their company profile from a number of |
| 3G, Blackberry BES and the like) demands time. Save | | | | perspectives. Do they offer access to a wide variety |
| time and fuss by using a business telephony provider | | | | of major mobile networks, hosted IP services and |
| who prefers plain English. Don't get caught up in how | | | | land-based networks? A wide modern product |
| the technology works. Concentrate on discussing what | | | | selection? Do you need to be locked into a contract to |
| you need it to do and make sure you get system that | | | | consult or will they give free advice? |
| delivers. | | | | Ongoing Support |
| Functions | | | | Every business is going to need this and it should be |
| Whoever provides your business telephone system | | | | top quality, with no lengthy queuing on the phone. It |
| should help you identify necessary applications. For | | | | could be simple, such as help for newer staff, or a |
| data storage and security, will you want recorded calls, | | | | technical query but it must be constant, competent and |
| video conferencing or web-based applications? Will | | | | accessible. Of paramount importance is having one |
| anything be used abroad? A lot of extra functionality | | | | contact that knows your business and your system. |
| will come as standard with certain systems so make | | | | Reliable Service |
| sure it is part of your brief from the beginning. | | | | This is a twofold requirement. Firstly, telephony |
| Value And Savings | | | | solutions must be reliable - you cannot afford the |
| A custom solution may save you more money by | | | | disruption from a systems failure. Secondly, the |
| identifying exactly which technology you need - | | | | company you choose for your partner should be |
| suitable technology simply cuts costs. More 'off the | | | | reliable, in terms of the consistency of their advice, |
| peg' business phone systems solutions cannot deliver | | | | products and support. This can be a fruitful long term |
| an exact fit for every business. Cheap packages are | | | | relationship or a liability, depending on the quality you |
| not always the best value and custom solutions do not | | | | receive. |
| always need to be expensive. Talk to a supplier that | | | | Aspects of Portability |
| can offer a bespoke solution you may be surprised at | | | | Do you need wireless phones on your premises? Can |
| the deal you get. | | | | your systems be used with different landline and/or |
| Expansion And Change | | | | mobile networks? And finally, can you take your office |
| Every companies' needs change and technology is | | | | phone system to any new premises easily? |