Phone Systems for Small Business: Finding the Best All-In-One Provider
December 21, 2015
Category: Info Articles
Having the right telecom provider is a critical component to the success of your small business. Small businesses need to connect with their customers, employees, and vendors in real time. Small business owners know that uninterrupted communication contributes to business continuity in many ways.
Phone System Features
According to an article by Amanda DiSilvestro, there are four types of phone systems that businesses can select from to connect with their customers. These are:
- Key Systems – This type of system offers basic telephone features and attributes. Small companies with 10-40 lines and runs through a key system unit that can be upgraded as the company expands.
- Keyless Systems – This type of system offers very basic telephone features and attributes such as call forwarding. Individuals and start-ups can use this system because it is very mobile. The major drawback is that you can only have 2 to 4 lines.
- Private Branch Exchange Systems – This type is mainly for companies with more than 50 employees. It is one of the most common business phone systems utilized by both small and large companies. It provides all the features you need to connect with your employees.
- Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) Systems – This system is fast becoming the system of choice for both small and large businesses. The reasoning behind its popularity is that it is both portable and inexpensive to use.The physical features of many phone systems for small business are equally important. Popular brands of phone systems with multiple features include: Polycom, Cisco, Aastra and Yealink. The selection of phones can be easily accessed by the functionality of the phones. In other words, how your small business will utilize the phones.
Voice Communications as the Core
Your communication network often depends on how clear your voice communication is. With many internet-based phone systems for small business, a lot can depend on how your company utilizes the features. There are standard business phone services that cover basic communications.
Then there are your hosted voice networks that allow you to add functionality and features. You definitely might want to consider a PRI if you plan on processing a lot of data. Most internet-based phone systems utilize VoIP, and some utilize SIP Trunking to connect their network.
Putting it all together—The Internet
A good all-in-one communications provider will have a wide variety of choices for you to consider when establishing your communications network. The choices should include both secure private internet services, like VPN and the public Internet connections.DatastreamIP.com provides a good variety of phone, voice and internet options for your small business.
Sources:
How to Find the Right Phone System for Your Business, www.startupnation.com
Building a Better Communications System, www.entrepreneur.com
