DCS Telecom More About IP Phone Systems, Hosted PBX Systems, a | Page 18

Things to Check When Opting for
a Small Business Phone System
■ In order to make a correct choice, you should pay attention to a few important
things. For instance, you need to consider how you are going to use the phone
system. It means that you should assess your needs clearly and then compare the
available options to make a choice. Consider what types of inbound and outbound
calls you get more often. Do you get one-to-one phone more often or your business
also need to handle conference calls? Consider how many people you have in your
company, and then select a phone system accordingly. You should consider whether
you get international calls along with local calls. You may need a different phone
system if you get inbound calls after office timing. Not all phone systems will help
you handle calls during off hours.
■ In addition to getting more information about how you are going to use your small
business phone system, you should also consider who is going to use that system in
your office. You may want a phone system at receptionist's desk. Depending on the
nature of your business, you may need a phone in public areas, like waiting room,
lobby, hallway, and break room. You may need a phone to facilitate additional
contract, temporary, or part-time employees. While most small businesses do not
need to worry about too many phone lines, you may have to think about your needs
in the near future.
■ Another important thing to keep in mind is that not all phone systems will suit your
needs in a couple of years time, especially when you can foresee your business
expanding in the near future. Therefore, you need to pay attention to scalability
before going any further. Take your time to get familiar with how your phone system
requirements are likely to change over time, and then select a system that is going
to scale with your business needs.