Your business's phones are its portal to the world, and one of the most fundamental tools that enable you to reach out to your customers and clients, vendors, and business partners, or allow them to come to you. Your phones also enable employees within your company to communicate and collaborate with one another, asking and answering questions quickly and personally. As such, the integrity and clarity of your telephone conversations is vital to the successful operation of your business, and when static or other interference threaten that clarity, that means it's time for a change, and that change begins with a more reliable business phone.
One of the most common causes of static noise is analog phone use. Traditional phones use copper wire to carry the telephone signal, and this wire is sensitive to weather changes and humidity. Moisture in the air can cause water to collect on the phone wires, which creates static on the line. Interference from electronic devices or systems that emit electromagnetic or radio frequency signals can also produce static during phone calls. By getting rid of your old-fashioned phones that are so susceptible to changing weather patterns and replacing them with IP phones that are compatible with VoIP telephone systems, you can help to ensure the clarity and quality of your company's calls. A VoIP business phone system can help your business avoid many of the problems associated with poor call quality and line noise that often plague POTS (plain old telephone service) systems.
Used Vs. New Business Phone Systems: Which One To Choose
Choosing a New Business Phone Model
No two businesses are exactly alike, and the particular needs and system traffic of a given company will determine the specifications of its ideal business phone model. There exists a wide variety of phone options to choose from, ranging from simple handsets capable of all the basic functions that most offices need, to more versatile models with more comprehensive capabilities.
Polycom offers an extensive line of phones, starting with the Polycom IP 321, an easy to learn, entry level business phone. The 321 is a two-line phone with 18 dedicated feature keys, a full duplex speaker phone, and a base stand that doubles as a wall mount. A straightforward and intuitive model, the 321 is a solid replacement for most analog business phones.
If you need something a little more advanced, Polycom offers a full line of phones that will suit almost any needs, with models offering three, four, and up to six lines. Consider the Polycom IP 670, which offers six lines of HD voice, 18 feature keys including 4 soft keys, a color display, and two 10/100/1000 Mbps switched Ethernet ports. The 670 supports as many as three optional IP expansion modules to accommodate your business's needs.
Aastra also produces a full line of digital phones that can help your company improve call quality and reliability. The Astra 6730i Phone is an entry level model with a single 10/100 Ethernet switch. It doesn't support PoE, but its cousin the 6731i does, and will support up to six SIP registrations. For companies that make more demands on their phone systems, consider the Aastra 6735i, a mid-market phone with HD audio and dual Gigabit Ethernet ports provided via an integrated Gigabit Ethernet switch. The 6735i is ideal for network environments with higher bandwidth requirements. If your business demands even more from its phones, consider the Aastra 6739i, an attractive charcoal model with a 5.7-inch full color VGA touchscreen. The 6739i is bluetooth equipped and has dual 10/100/1000 Ethernet support with PoE, making it ready to take on any needs your company has for a phone.
For budget conscience phone purchases certified refurbished is your best. With Cisco Refresh you get certified refurbished equipment backed by Cisco. Your Cisco Refresh phones will be SMARTnet eligible and receive firmware and hardware upgrades. Buying outside of certified channels puts you at risk of purchasing faulty equipment and being stuck with it since Cisco won't warranty non authorized purchased products.
Don't suffer through static noise and sound quality on your business calls with outdated phones that can't offer you all the features your company needs. A clear line without interference or static inspires more confidence in your clients and customers, and is easily achieved with new digital phones.
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