Business Phone System – Are Internet Phones the New Way to Go?

There is no small business to every business owner. That's why choosing the correct business phone system is very important. There is several phone system that offers bundles and packages that cater to every business small-to-medium or even large enterprise. A more enhanced business phone system is produced every year, and then makes sure to get a non contractual business phone system. Being tied down to an annual subscription is very tricky sometimes. 

Additional charges couldn't be tracked and prone to overcharge. Unlike prepaid monthly subscriptions where you can control your expenses and retain all important features only.  There are some phone systems though that offers an all package bundle with an affordable one-year contract. For example, if you subscribe to get an IP based business phone system, you only need to pay the amount of bandwidth rented regardless of how many IP phones you're planning to connect to that rented line. Allotted bandwidth should be set, to avoid interference during making and receiving calls. You can have a seamless expansion and network solutions. 

A centralize access for multiple locations, meaning you can access every branch and offices everywhere. This type of phone system is really ideal to whichever business size because you have to manage all call logs and web logs of different branches. A free unlimited long distance calls can be set as well depending on what your service provider could offer. 

That is why you have to be sure of the features your business phone system delivers. Some may worry about its clarity in terms of call reception and security. There has been no reports of tapping business phones yet. IP based phone system can be encrypted making all conversations private and secured. If you manage a large corporation which takes over a hundred telephones, this is ideal. A VoIP service connected with other PBX features can be used to get all telephone works. 

Since your phone system is connected to the Internet, having multiple setup is doable. It has been working with other corporations and they have been practicing it for several years now, only changing their devices with more advanced equipment for auto attendants and auto-receptionist (which most people think is actually a good feature). Investing in IP based business phone system is risk free since installation and equipments are not that expensive compared to install the traditional ones, where you need a box and flat cables and wires for every telephone and extension. Speaking of extension, you can in fact retain your company phone number or create your own phone number. In IP based system, customizing your business phone is cool even converting your old handsets to IP based ones.

Must Know Information Before Setting up the Hosted PBX

Hosted PBX is a voice service connecting via IP or Internet protocol hosted the service provider location. A virtual connection from your location to the data center. The service provider uses VoIP or voice over Internet protocol to connect to a call platform and PBX at an off-site location. This is more convenient and affordable compared to subscribe to the usual analog phone. No need to buy expensive equipment and expensive installation fee. Setups are as easy as one, two, three and can be done at once.

 

Everything will be processed by your service provider, you simply need to sit back and relax.  Because hosted PBX is directly connected to the data center of your service provider, every problem and issues you have regarding your connection should be fixed by your service provider. Unlike the on-premise PBX where you have to be responsible for every error and glitches you get the service. 

It is important that you inform your service provider of how many telephone are you planning to connect and ask if how much bandwidth are you getting per month. Since you'll be using VoIP, all calls will be routed over to the data center which will require you a specific amount of bandwidth in order for one telephone to work, what more if you have several additional telephones in mind. You may also ask if you can do both for web use and simultaneous calls with your subscription. 

As it is using the internet to work, hosted PBX systems or VoIP is shared bandwidth with your web usage. It is better to assign a definite bandwidth on your web use and VoIP. Most small and starting business uses hosted PBX to connect their telephone system to save on costs and allow to make concurrent calls anytime. Though it is said to be for small businesses and enterprise only, hosted PBX allows all subscribers to several features like Call hold, call transfer, caller ID, Call waiting, Call forward, 3-way calling, etc. You can also avail of additional features like voice mail and IVR auto attendant. Auto attendant which you can customize by adding your company directory listing, day and night greetings, flexible music on hold etc. Recently more advance features were added like the routing, unlimited extensions, call recording, custom music on hold etc. Truly this hosted PBX is good for any businesses big or small or even for residential use too. 

Telecommunication companies (PSTN based) has their own advantages, but if the most valuable advantage of an analog phone is having clear reception in receiving and making calls, this can be achieved in a hosted PBX too.  Hosted PBX is more advanced in terms of connecting several phone lines without having to add more costs.

Choosing the Right Business Phone Plan

After selecting the right business phone system for your company, it's time to pick which business phone plan should you subscribe to. Check out all maximum service providers and determine which one could offer you the lowest yet quality business phone plan. Quality means all advance features and devices are included at a reasonable monthly rate. 

You have to check if all features you wanted for your business are included and if not, ask if how much is the difference in your monthly rate if you have it added. Some service providers offer reliable packages for businesses. Like for example, if you want the VoIP service to be added to your plan then you can do so. A good business phone plan should have all the essential feature added to their services. 

Since you are getting the business phone plan, check out their rates for IP based phone system, to the usual analog phones. Though these are two separate providers since analog phones are provided by a telecommunication company, using an analog circuit with the actual circuit box within your premise. On the other hand, an IP based phone system, our virtual phone system, run by an Internet connection and billing is normally based on bandwidth subscription and not on how many phones you rented and how many numbers are working. 

In VoIP connection, you can connect as many devices to one network using the same number. These numbers can be used concurrently depending on the number of devices attached. Some service provider offers services like SIP Trunking. These features allow you to be connected to your other branches in the matching network. Though SIP trunks are rentable, still these features can be arranged to be added to your tab. If you don't have VoIP ready equipment, your service provider can have this provided, but you have an option to purchase the equipment yourself. If you have an existing analog telephone devices, you can have it converted to VoIP services saving you a lot of money. 

Though most phone plans are tying their subscribers with a two year contract, there is some ISP's that doesn't. Choose a business phone plan without a contract, this way you can customize your plans monthly. It is a given fact that you may be still under a trial and error as to which feature should you retain and which one should you not. In the end, the most convenient subscription and offer win. Remember to consider your employees and your clients in choosing the right business phone plans. Especially give special considerations to your clients and consumers since they will help your business grow. If your company is accessible to almost everyone with internet and telephone, your business will grow big in no time.

The Evolution of Phone Systems

“I believe in the future wires will unite the head offices of telephone companies in different cities, and a man in one part of the country may communicate by word of mouth with another in a distant place”-These are the exact words written by Alexander Graham Bell in 1978. He invented the telephone to connect people from different places. The development of this communication device has been then unveiled before our eyes. 

Ages ago from the very first telephone Alexander Graham Bell invented, to the most recent smart phones out in the marketplace today, the intention of connecting people anywhere is visible.  There are several features of a phone system that caused a great impact on the industry. The ability to make concurrent calls using one phone number is one.

Phone systems like VoIP and IP PBX are one of the best inventions yet. Leaving the concept of which Mr. Bell has written “being able to pass from one region of the country to another place”. Surely, from the typical analog phone to the current mobile and VoIP phones, charges have increased dramatically as the years pass. Almost everything you do with the telephone (PTSN based) seems to add on to your tab. Things like adding an additional telephone line (with a different phone number) voice mail services, number block or sms (applicable to mobile phones) create additional charges on your monthly subscription bill. 

This is pretty hard if you are running a business with ten employees each requiring a telephone on their cubicle. You will be taking in ten separate monthly bills as well. Unlike the most talked about VoIP phone systems, you can have all ten phones using one phone number under one subscription fee. These characteristics of VoIP have made this phone system the number one choice of jobs worldwide. 

Almost all businesses use VoIP because of the big savings they produce. Imagine experiencing all the characteristics of a traditional PTSN phone (clear reception) plus the add on that you can avail.  Like any other phone systems, VoIP also allows you to use voicemail, call forwarding, call redirecting or re routing (transferring calls to an assigned working phone number you can access wherever you are). 

Other features like the automated machine, which moves like your virtual secretary, segregating all calls diverting it to the correct extension number the caller dialed, or to the correct name of an employee the customer mentioned during the call. No need to hire an employee on this type of business. The automated phone system can manage all that saving you from hiring or designating someone to do all the chores. There is no risk of party lines and intersecting lines. With VoIP all lines are secured and private. Encryption may be from the owner or the service provider, but however you like it it will definitely be secured from online hackers. Thank you Alexander Graham Bell for inventing the telephone. Then a need, now a necessity.

Top 5 Considerations in Choosing an Office Telephone

Choosing the right office telephone system is not easy. There are so many things to consider and so many options to choose from. If you have a business, carrying a big corporation or a plain employee and one of your responsibilities is to choose the right office telephone system for your company, then this article might help you. Here are the top five considerations in selecting an office telephone:

1.       Analyze what your company needs.

In selecting an office telephone system, consider your company needs. Does your office require multiple connections? Is voicemail necessary? What about voice conferencing? It is best to research and check on the things that your company need in an office telephone. Also consider checking on the features of an office telephone system you’re eyeing to get. Find out if it fits your company needs and if your business will benefit from it.

2.       Look for Bundles and Packages.

If you want to save big on your monthly phone bills check out the bundles that a service provider offers. Always check out the best deals, the lower the call rates the better it is for your company. If you can find an internet and telephone bundle at a lower monthly rate it would be better. For an office telephone VoIP system is ideal. It is powered by internet, therefore monthly rate would only depend on the bandwidth you’re subscribing and not on the number of telephones you own.

3.       Get VoIP or Voice over Internet Protocol based Telephone system.

As I have mentioned, VoIP is powered by internet, meaning you can do a lot of things besides incoming and outgoing calls. If you want to make use of all the features of an ideal office telephone like video conferencing, sms, chat, PC-to-PC calls, simultaneous outgoing calls, and so forth; then consider becoming an IP phone system.

4.       Mobility

Let just say features and functions of a mobile phone, analog phone and the internet rolled into one. This breakthrough phone system gives you an option to make all calls redirected to your mobile phone or home phone if a client called after business hours. This feature allows you and your employees to connect wherever you are, creating a good working relationship which is obviously good for whatever business.

5.       Return of Investment Fast!

Being mobile allows you to not lose an important client call. Meaning, even after business hours you still work on getting more investors and converting more earnings. With the great saving you get from subscription and the ability to re-route callers to any mobile or working phone, this will give you an increase of 35%-50% turnover within a month. See, choosing an office telephone system could be a bit crucial to your business, so think and choose wisely!