More and more businesses are looking at the current telecommunications environment and realizing that now is a great time to invest in new small business phone systems. Nowadays, that means a lot more than sending someone to the nearest Office Depot to pick up more handsets.
The modern telephone system has become just one extension of larger networked business communications grids. Rather than being the primary focus of your communications, they now stand side by side technologies like email and videoconferencing. You can get far more from your telephone systems today, but only when they're integrated into your larger telecommunication setup.
So if you're interested in upgrading the telephones in your office, here's what you should look for in modern phone systems!
Key Factors When Buying Modern Telephone Systems
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SIP Compatibility: This is the true key to harnessing the power of modern data-based phone systems. SIP stands for Session Initiation Protocol, but what it means is that your phones are set up to convert your voice communications into digital data that can be shared with your entire network. Look for phones with Ethernet ports and support for the G.711 and G.729 codecs, which are what translate voice into data.
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802.3af PoE Support: As your use of technology in an office grows, one thing that keeps growing with it is your wiring needs. Wires are still an unfortunate necessity, despite the clutter and tripping hazard they create. Luckily, modern phone systems can use Power over Ethernet (PoE) systems to get their electricity directly through Ethernet. This feature means only one cord per phone, and Ethernet cables are generally kept out of the way.
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Voice quality assurance: Since bandwidth is limited, most modern phones use a variety of techniques to compress voice content into smaller packages of data. Look for phones with internal features such as echo cancellation, background noise cancellation, and jitter buffers. These quality assurance features keep your voice tasks sounding crystal clear. In many cases, you can get better voice quality than over
traditional analog phones! -
Leave room to grow: As your business grows, your network is going to grow along with it. Only you know exactly what direction it's headed, but as a general rule, you should buy telephones with an eye towards the future. Spending a little more for phones that include a few more Ethernet and RJ telephone jacks than you currently need will pay off once it's time to upgrade. Also, even if you aren't currently using advanced features like videoconferencing, consider whether you would want them in the coming years.
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Reliable warranties: Hey, telephones take a lot of abuse during their lifetimes. They're a piece of equipment that gets used daily, and often gets abused daily as well. Make sure you buy your phones from a reputable retailer who offers multi-year warranties on their phone systems. Your technology investment should be good for five years at least, and preferably ten. With the right warranty, your new phone system will last until it's outdated.
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Quality customer service: Most of the major networking and telephone system manufacturers do not sell directly to the public. That means your choice of phone system providers also determines who will be your support if something goes wrong. Look for a company with a long record of strong customer service to ensure you get the support you need.
Telephone systems have changed drastically over the last few years, but that means phones today are far more powerful and versatile. When implemented as part of a larger internal telecommunications strategy, they can give you all the benefits of traditional phone service while still opening up a world of new possibilities for data integration.
Whether you're looking to upgrade five phones or five hundred, find the right partner and look for the phone system that's ready to meet whatever challenges the future holds.
