VOIP
Choosing The Right Phone System For Your Business
- What is the type of phone system you need?
- How much are you willing to invest?
- Do you want a cloud-based system or a premises-based one?
- Do you need to do business over mobile phones?
- How much fluctuation is there in your communications needs?
What are the types of phone systems available today?
Analog
Traditional analog phone service is typically supported by local telcos. It relies on the PSTN – complex system of hardwired landlines – to transmit calls. We’re all familiar with it. Yet that doesn’t mean it is still the best choice, especially for businesses in global market.
In fact, this old school and inflexible solution is being phased out by VoIP and other Virtual phone systems because it can no longer compete with those new services in terms of features, cost and maintenance.
VoIP System
Cloud-based or premises-based system?
If you are interested in VoIP and then reach out to VoIP service providers, they will offer you either Cloud-based or premises-based system. We don’t always trust sales guys and simply accept what they offer but do you want to delve into telecom world to choose the best one for your company?
To make a right decision, consider 3 basic differences between Premises-based and Cloud-based systems below.
On-premise systems require a third-party softphone to communicate between a mobile device and the on-premise software. It’s definitely not a big problem as you can download many softphone apps for free. However, you will need to buy softphone business plan to have all necessary features and this can add more cost into the already expensive IP-PBX system.
In contrast, most cloud systems can be accessed easily from mobile devices, and many even offer built-in mobile apps allowing you to stay in touch with business calls regardless of where you are.
You should also consider whether your team will grow fast and hence need to increase the number of phone lines. If there will be great fluctuation in your communication need, then a premises-based phone system will not as suitable to you as a cloud-based one. To reconfigure an on-premise IP-PBX you need to hire an IT specialist, while cloud PBX allows you to simply add or remove phone extensions from your online account.
About Cloud PBX
Features
- Unlimited layers of automated phone attendant
- Call transfer, call hold and call into conference
- Call hunting – ring queue and ring group
- Missed call message and voicemail notification to email
- Built-in Bizphone apps and compatibility with all SIP-enabled devices
- Separate DID for each sub-IVR menu level
- International numbers, toll free, landline, mobile and golden numbers
- User-friendly portal to set up and update phone system