When you’ve come to the conclusion that a brand new phone system is the next item on your corporation’s technology shopping list, it can be tempting to dive straight into the search for the best possible option. It’s important to note however, that willpower can really pay dividends in this scenario. Taking the time to assess your business’ needs and goals before you start looking through the phone systems on offer will ensure you head into the market armed with a clear idea of a system your organization will truly benefit from. Discussed here are five things you need to know before buying your next phone system for your business.
1. Recognize The Limitations of Your Current System
The first thing to remember when buying a new phone system for your business is that you must have a reason for wanting to shop around in the first place. By honing in on this exact reason, you can align your needs accordingly and narrow down the choices for the most suitable phone system for your company. Is your phone system underserving the needs of your business? Is the call quality poor? Are you looking for your phone system to do more? These are all questions you need to ask yourself before you head out on the hunt for a brand new system. Take a good, long look at what you want your business to be able to do better, and look at a phone system that will be able to assist you in all the appropriate ways.
2. Your Objectives Matter
Your business’ initiatives should be factored into your choice of phone system. Remember, just because one system is suitable for a rival organization doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the right choice for you. Draw up a list of imperatives you have for your business and the kind of features you require from your phone system in order to meet these goals. Going for a broad system is fine if you want a little bit of everything, but you can get a lot more from your phone system by ensuring the desirables of your business are specifically matched to the features and functionalities of your chosen telecommunication tool.
3. Your Existing Resources
The resources and facilities you currently have in your office (including internet service reliability and the location model of your business) need to be right for the phone system you have your eye on. Investing in a brand new system that isn’t suitable will only set you back. Whereas implementing a telecommunications system that provides the functionality your business requires without requiring in-house IT management affords your operations efficiency and cost savings. A hosted PBX system is a great option for any business wanting to look at ways to enhance communication within the workplace, especially given how it can be implemented so quickly without the need to purchase and install a wide variety of additional, complex, expensive software and equipment.
4. How Big Is Your Business?
How big is your business and how big do you realistically think it will become over the lifespan of the chosen new system? If you’re anticipating considerable growth for your organization, you might want to look at phone system that’s going to be suitable for you down the line rather than one that’s suitable for you right now.
Look over your statistics to determine your current usage and what sort of phone system will be appropriate for your business. How many people are using the phone system at once? If there are a lot of staff members dialing out and taking calls from the moment the doors open in the morning, you’ll need to prioritize a system that can handle a high magnitude of incoming and outgoing calls with ease.
Also, how much business do you actually generate via the phone system? If most of your revenue is gained through face-to-face meetings or e-mail, a less advanced phone system may be worth considering. On the other hand, if your business is set to grow in the coming months or years a hosted PBX system could be the perfect solution providing system agility without necessitating in-house IT. These systems allow you to scale up with ease, which is vital for a rapidly evolving business that will almost certainly require the quick addition of additional phone lines or connections to mobile devices.
5. Hosted PBX Works
Don’t be scared of new technology in telecommunications. It may seem a little daunting at first, but familiarizing yourself with the latest advancements and trends allows you to keep your company one step ahead of the competition and ensure communication remains fluid, efficient and effective at all times. Hosted PBX technology have been generating considerable buzz in the telecommunications industry over the past few years and it’s easy to see why when they are offering numerous benefits to businesses including enhanced functionality, flexibility, scalability, reliability, portability, lower costs and increased system viability. Hosted PBX operates differently to ordinary phone systems (by operating entirely online), and many business owners are a little hesitant to buck the trend of using a traditional system, as operating exclusively online isn’t something they’ve ever done before. However, the results are in and the fact is – hosted PBX works. Look at your existing resources and company agenda to determine whether this system is right for you before you disregard it out of fear of the unknown. It could end up changing your business for the better, forever.
