The march of technology has opened up a wealth of small business phone systems
, practically overnight. Advanced phone systems that were only within reach of large firms ten years ago, or even five, have now proliferated to the point that virtually any company can now afford them.
A new, modern business phone system can open up a world of new opportunities, while simultaneously slashing your monthly communications bill.
Customers and clients have also begun to expect these services from businesses today, because they are so quickly becoming ubiquitous. So, adopting a modern phone service doesn't just add features and options for your day-to-day operations, it also helps establish you as being among the major players.
So, here are our picks for the five most important features you should look for in a new phone system.
Five Must-Have Features In Any New Small Business Phone System
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VoIP Communications
First and foremost, any modern business telephone system should be based in Voice-over-IP technologies. These are quickly taking over corporate communications, and for good reason. By combining your voice service with your existing network and Internet connection, you gain plenty of new features while eliminating your long distance bill.
If you're still using copper wire telephone services, this is the next upgrade you should be looking into. It's the basis for virtually all modern globalized communications services, as well as creating huge cost savings in the long run.
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Find Me / Follow Me
One of the most immediate benefits of VoIP is the introduction of find me / follow me services. These allow calls into the office to be routed to employees wherever they are, even across multiple phones. The system can be programmed with several different numbers, ringing them sequentially until the employee is found, then routing the call.
This can also include intelligent message routing that changes the formats of messages to fit the device receiving them. For example, it might take a telephone voicemail, compress it as an MP3, and email it to a worker who's out of cell phone range.
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Customizable Menus
One of the hallmarks of a large, successful company is a robust IVR system that makes it easy for callers to find the person or department they need. However, you no longer need to be a large business to enjoy these features. Today's business telecommunications systems allow any firm, of any size, to implement fully user-customizable menus that are indistinguishable from those used by the largest of companies.
They can even be used to add personality to your menus, such as allowing employees to select and upload custom hold music. It's a small touch, but it speaks to the quality of your services.
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XML Compatibility
Today's business phones are really more like small computers with a handset attached. By choosing a phone system with XML compatibility, you gain the option to implement any number of scripts and small programs that help power all these features. These can add a host of Internet-related features to your phones, including live weather updates, appointment management, or even shopping options.
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QoS Support
Quality-of-Service software works alongside VoIP services, reducing or eliminating many of the issues traditionally associated with VoIP phone service, including lag and echo. QoS allows your telephone system to harness the power of your network to intelligently route calls for maximum efficiency, often achieving communications fidelity far beyond what traditional telephone service offers.
While QoS is ultimately controlled by your network, rather than your phones, your phone system still needs to support it for QoS to work.
Whether you're a lone owner\operator or responsible for dozens of employees, modern IP-based telephone systems will quickly justify their cost many times over through increased productivity and cost savings. Just tell us where your company wants to go in five years, and we'll show you the communications products that will get you there!
