Selecting the right telecommunications system for your business is a vital task that cannot be undertaken lightly. After all, phone systems for enterprise organizations are no longer simply about local and long distance; your telecommunications are likely to be an integrated part of your larger data and networking plans.
As such, the question isn't just a matter of what provider to go with, but what underlying technologies and architectures you'll use. Every telephone systems vendor is going to have different suggestions for how their technology will be best for your business. You need to be able to sort through the different options available.
Well, since this is the age of the Internet, you have a wealth of resources at your disposal. Here's a quick guide to some of the best places to look to find reviews of business phone systems.
Finding Enterprise Telephone System Reviews
First, however, something important note; there are numerous great resources online for aggregating opinions and indexing product reviews, but fundamentally, there is one review which will be more valuable to you than any other you can find:
Direct testimonials from a company's own customers.
Whenever you're talking to a phone service vendor, ask them for referrals. Try to get in touch directly with their past clients and ask for their opinion. Fellow businesses giving their frank opinion of a service will be more relevant to you than any Internet surveys. Well-written case studies can also be much more illuminating than a simple review.
Review Aggregators
Plenty of websites exist that simply catalog reviews of products and services, often alongside quick-look feature comparison charts and similar indexed data. Many of these are ultimately trying to sell services of their own, but when they're linking to objective reviews, they're a great way to get an overview of a product line.
Here are a few to try:
Plus, of course, if you're choosing between a few specific products or models, reviews on large online stores like Amazon can also be useful.
Social Media
If you prefer an opinion from people more like you, social media is turning into a true hub of product discussions. For B2B products, such as phone systems, LinkedIn is by far your best choice. There are likely to be Groups devoted to discussing virtually all of the major phone system providers, and plenty of businesses like your own to probe for information.
Looking for opinions on social media also carries a secondary benefit: it's a good way to network, find new social media circles to join, and help establish your presence on these services. Joining into social product discussions may open up new doors for you in the future, as well as helping you find qualified telecommunications advice.
Fundamentally, the best reviews and recommendations will be those coming from businesses which are similar to yours and facing similar challenges. This is where you will find the best advice.
Do Plenty of Homework
The key takeaway here is simply that there is a wealth of information and resources online to help you choose a new phone system for your business, and you shouldn't rush in. Reviews are a fine source for information, but you should especially look for personal recommendations from businesses which were facing challenges like those you're currently facing.
Your telecommunications system is going to be one of the single most critical aspects of your business as we go forward into the 21st century. Give it the time and consideration it deserves before making any changes.
