Man with pen and questionnaire. 3d
Your telephone system is the link that ties your customers, vendors and employees together, so it’s understandable that choosing the right telephone system is a top priority for your business. A dysfunctional phone system can cause financial and logistical nightmares. So, how do you choose the right phone system? Here is a checklist that will guide you through the phone system selection process.
1. Determine your current business phone system needs
Each business has different needs and customer expectations. Will your employees spend a bulk of their phone time sitting at their desk, or do they complete their work in the field? Consider the size and budget of your business. For some businesses, cellphones and remote access are a must. Other businesses rely on traditional desk phones, or even PC communication.
If your business has multiple locations, this should be factored in to your decision making process. Today’s VolP (Voice over Internet Protocol) systems allow you to make calls over a broadband internet connection, making communicating easier than ever before. By utilizing this technology, multiple business sites can be connected and work as one. How this service is hosted will depend on how your business is set up.
2. Account for growth
As your business grows, will your phone system be prepared to handle your expanding needs? Will your system accommodate all of your staff? Do you plan to move, or add a new business location? Plan for the future by assessing your staffing plan and determining which team members will need a phone in the coming months and years. When you choose a phone system without considering your business’s future growth, you’ll likely soon find yourself dealing with a system that doesn’t meet your needs.
3. Consider your Preferences
Take the time to consider which features fall into your “needs” and “wants” categories. Some businesses prefer utilizing a receptionist, while others prefer an auto-attendant option. Think about features such as conference calling, call forwarding and voice mail and decide which options are must-haves for your business.
4. Compare your options
Phone system options are vast. Check out the equipment before purchasing a system to determine how difficult features are to program and what your maintenance requirements will be. Choose a system that is user-friendly and will be compatible with the needs of your employees.
Choosing the right phone system is an important business decision. With a little research, you can pick a phone system that meets all of your business needs.
