How Can The Right Phone System Help Your Small Business?

Having a phone system in place is an integral part of co-ordinating small business activities. Information and communications technology (ICT) is the integration of telecommunications with the computer technology and any system needs to work for you now, and during your company’s future development.

So, what are the important points to consider when selecting your best option phone system, as a small business?

Firstly, you need to have a clear understanding of what your phone system is for, who will be using it and where.

• Are you looking to save money, but not compromise standards?
• Do you require one telephone number that rings in multiple positions around the premises?
• Will you need text, email and phone messaging facilities?
• Will managers need to see at a glance who is available to take calls and who is busy or off site, and all call durations?
• Do you want to use computers as telephones?
• Will you benefit from having wireless IP phones so that data can be accessed by staff when they are not at their desks?
• Will you take advantage of technology that integrates your phone system with your Client Relationship Management or CRM system?
• Are intercom features required?
• Will your phone system be utilised for video conferencing?
• If a system is right for your needs now, will it still be effective as your business grows?

For small businesses, Voice Over Internet Protocol, commonly known as VoIP or internet telephony, is proving to be popular and cost effective. It also offers superior quality systems when compared to the copper lines of a traditional telephone system.

VoIP is a private telephone network operated via an internet service, which is usually in place already, and although it was originally marketed for large businesses, it is perceived as the future of communications technology for all size enterprises, computer to computer, either in its limited in-house form or in its broader form where VoIP can handle all business call requirements.  

Cloud based VoIP systems are perfect for expanding businesses that will need capacity for additional lines and have set budget requirements.

VoIP works at internet hotspots so calls are easy to make and receive in public places so this is an advantage to any firm that has field staff, regular conference attendees and international business travellers.

You can obtain phones that look like traditional phones and these connect to the Ethernet via a router. The private branch exchange (PBX) hardware and software are pre-installed for immediate use.

Normal telephones use an analogue telephone adaptor (A.T.A.) and the VoIP system sends a voice message, which is analogue data, and converts it to digital signals so that the data is transferred via packets using the internet protocol (IP.) For calls to a traditional telephone, the system reconfigures the signals back to analogue before it meets the call recipient. Perfect.

When choosing a phone system for your small business, the most important thing is to ensure that the type of system, and its features, are right for the individual needs of your business.

For phone systems for small businesses in Worcester, Wolverhampton and the wider West Midlands area, contact Midland Networks on 0800 849 8585.