Telephone Systems: A Buyer’s Guide

Telephone Systems: A Buyer’s Guide

Here we discuss considerations that should be made by UK businesses ahead of choosing a telephone system.

We will go through and explain the:

• Capabilities

• Limitations

• Benefits

Considerations For Choosing A Telephone System

Lead Times

Businesses seeking a new telephone system, but not as part of a move, should still be aware of lead times, as new lines may be required as part of a system upgrade

New basic and ISDN (digital) lines, and Broadband packages, can take up to a month to be installed once ordered

The length of time it takes to set-up your telephone system: this is especially important to consider when moving to a new premises

Cabling

Do you know the type of cabling your current or future premises has installed?

Although it currently may be sufficient for your new system’s needs, you will need to have the current cabling analysed to be sure

You need to understand the current specifications before ordering any system to ensure compatibility, and to determine any additional cabling requirements

Expandability

You’ll want to consider the expansion goals of your business when choosing a telephone system. Uninstalling a perfectly good system simply because you have reached its capacity is obviously not ideal

International businesses should seriously consider a VoIP-based system

Some key systems can be expanded should VoIP lines be used, but for large businesses (40+ employees), easily expandable and advanced feature-compatible PBX systems are the ideal choice

Compatibility

While many telephones, accessories and add-on options are compatible

with a multitude of telephone systems, it is always important to check

whether your current equipment will work as part of your planned upgrade

It may be the case that certain peripherals will need replacing – if you’re unsure, don’t hesitate to contact our team for expert advice

Budget

Best4Systems has telephone systems to suit any budget. In addition to brand new telephone systems and the related equipment, we also provide many refurbished options – all of which come with one year’s warranty

If you’re looking to upgrade your current system, we’ll discount your order in exchange for your old equipment, which we’ll then recycle

What Is A Key Telephone System?

Advantages of key Telephone Systems?

• Suitable for businesses with up to 50 employees

• Convenience of proprietary handsets, designed to work specifically with the installed key system

• One-size-fits-all functionality

• Can be easily customised with software upgrades

• Reliable

• Minimal maintenance required

Disadvantages of key Telephone Systems?

• Unsuitable for businesses with more than 50 employees

• Advanced functionality (such as auto attendant and ring groups) can often be lacking when compared to PBX systems (despite the fact that the gap between the two options is becoming increasingly blurred)

What is a PABX (PBX) telephone system?

What is a PABX (PBX) telephone system?

• PABX (Private Automatic Branch Exchange) is a type of private telephone network used internally by businesses. Such systems connect to each other without the need to rent costly lines for each, while users share a number of outside lines to make external calls

• It once was the case that these systems were called PBX systems, because they required the use of a live operator

What is a PABX (PBX) telephone system?

• PABX systems comprise a control box, through which the system’s functionality can be controlled. It is often the case that these PABX boxes must be plugged into an external PC or laptop (with particular software installed) to be administrated

• An increasing number of PABX systems allow the benefits of VoIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) technology to be utilised

• Virtual PBXs are also available over the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). These are systems hosted by large telecoms companies, providing PBX functionality to businesses as a premium service

Advantages of PABX systems

• Negates the need to have direct lines for each individual terminal, keeping line rental overheads low

• Automatically routes incoming calls to specific extensions

• Interconnected on-premises terminals can call each other free of charge, encouraging good communication and efficient business operations

• Calls can be logged automatically, aiding understanding of where time and/or money can be saved within an organisation

• Feature rich

Disadvantages of PABX systems

• Can be an expensive (but worthwhile) business investment

• The services of an external technician may be required to keep a PABX system operating smoothly

What is an IPBX (IP BPX) telephone system?

What is an IPBX (IP BPX) telephone system?

• An IPBX (Internet Private Branch Exchange) – also referred to as an IP BPX – is a system that allows calls to be conducted over internet protocol data networks

• IPBXs are often considered the best choice for mid to large businesses, since they are feature-rich (auto attendant, voicemail, ring groups etc.), software-based (allowing easy installation and greater customisation) and offer problem-free, and cost-effective, scalability.

• Converged data, voice networks, web browsing, VoIP, and standard phone conversations can be conducted through single lines. This reduces maintenance and long-term operation overheads for businesses, andt also provides the flexibility expanding operations require.

• Like a traditional PBX, an IPBX is owned by the enterprise and is not dependent on proprietary hardware or software. Virtual IPBXs are also available over the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). These systems see IPBX functionality hosted by large telecoms companies, who charge businesses to make use of the service.

Advantages of IPBX systems

• Simpler to install and configure than proprietary phone systems

• IPBX systems are easier to manage, thanks to web/GUI-based configuration interface

• Hardware phones can be plugged in to standard PC network ports, eliminating the need for excessive phone wires

• Growing businesses can scale their IPBX system easily and economically

• Routing long distance and international calls through the internet can save businesses a great deal money

• Employee hot desking and roaming is easiest with IPBX systems

• Allows integration of phone functions with business applications (for example, a customer’s file could appear on screen when they call)

Disadvantages of IPBX systems

• Can be an expensive business investment

• IPBX systems are potentially less secure than alternatives due to internet connectivity. However, this issue can be resolved with the implementation of strong passwords and firewalls, and by restricting the number of features available outside of a business’s LAN (Local Area Network)

What is a Hybrid telephone system?

What is a hybrid telephone system?

• Hybrid systems can be considered a cross between basic key systems and more complicated private automatic branch exchanges (PABXs) often installed at large organisations

• Hybrid systems are low cost and easy to manage but offer more features, greater flexibility and scalability.

• Hybrid systems can route both analogue and digital signals to appropriate terminals. Calls over traditional local telephone lines can be completed but hybrid systems also provide the option of routing certain calls over the internet to benefit from features available in VoIP systems.

• One of the most traditional applications of hybrid systems has been to connect a business’s main analogue line to its more complicated internal telephone system, essentially operating its own private branch exchange (PBX)

Advantages of hybrid systems

• The most modern hybrid systems offer ‘the best of both worlds’, combining key system and digital functionalities

• Hybrid systems can offer many of the benefits of pure VoIP systems, at a much lower price point

• Routing long distance and international calls through the internet can save businesses a great deal of money

• Hybrid systems can increase productivity by allowing the efficient transference of calls to the correct extensions, both inside and outside of the main business premises

Disadvantages of hybrid systems

• Technicians responsible for the smooth operation of a hybrid system will need to be familiar with key system, PBX and VoIP technologies

Our full guide can be found at:www.best4systems.co.uk/telephone-systems-buyers-guide

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We also have a glossary of telephone termswww.best4systems.co.uk/glossary-of-telephone-terms

Best4Systems

www.best4systems.co.uk