Telephone systems refer to a communication network that allows those using it to make local or long-distance telephone calls within a specific service area.
What Is A Business Telephone System?
A business telephone system is an internal telephone network that allows the business to make and receive calls both internally, and externally. A telephone system is a vital part of your businesses communications. A businesses phone system sits between you and the outside world. Modern business telephone systems come with extensions, which are individually assigned to users, this means that you can pass calls between users, and callers can dial users directly should you wish.
Having a professional setup, with hold music, seamless call transferring, call recording etc means that your business gives a good first impression to callers.
There are actually three different types of business telephone system...
What are the different types of business telephone systems?
There are multiple types of business telephone systems. They are all slightly different, some of these options include:
- An old-fashioned PBX system
- A hybrid telephone system
- A hosted VoIP telephone system
All systems are designed to provide three basic services. To make calls to customers, through network carriers. Managing and direct calls into and within the organisation. They are also used to better internal communications.
Old-fashioned PBX Systems:
PBX stands for Private Branch Systems, they tend to be more suited to companies with a larger number of employees, usually 40+. The systems work by routing the calls between the business location and telephone network. A huge improvement is that these systems allow users to connect directly to other phones without having to rely on a switchboard.
A PBX system allows business to have more phone lines and allows free calls between users, it also provides some features such as call transfers, voicemail, call recording and call queues. Over time, the performance of the PBX system has increased alongside technological developments, whilst the size of the equipment has decreased.
PBX telephone systems are designed to fulfil the following processes: creating a connection between two telephones, whilst making sure that one of the phones is not already busy. They maintain the connection on the call, alongside the disconnection when the call is ended. These systems also provide call information to the account holder such as the cost for the calls across the board.
Hybrid Telephone Systems:
A hybrid system combines an onsite telephone system with cloud and VoIP functionality. This type of system would be a strong choice for workplaces with remote offices as it will provide users with telephone system capabilities without having to invest in the new hardware. There are two slightly different options for hybrid systems.
Digital and IP PBX are when traditional lines are combined with IP calling over SIP trunks, whereas IP PBX and hosted systems combine an onsite telephone system with cloud functionality. Hybrid systems are good as they come with a minimal risk when migrating to modern VoIP technology, they also come along with lower costs for a business.
Hosted VoIP Systems:
VoIP stands for Voice over Internet Protocol, and ‘Hosted’ refers to the fact the PBX replaced and hosted within a virtual environment. It allows you to make voice calls using a broadband connection instead of a regular telephone line without the requirement for an on-site PBX. The process of these systems is quite simple, the outgoing call.
To have a VoIP system within your workplace, all that is required is a regular phone, an adapter, a broadband internet service and a subscription to a VoIP service. VoIP systems work well for businesses dealing with long distance and international calls, as it works off the basis of a broadband connection. These systems provide significant cost savings for companies, which is why many are now moving to a VoIP hosted system.
How do I know the right telephone system for my business?
When picking the right telephone system for your company, multiple factors need to be considered. Your phone system is such an integral part of your communications, it's vital to take the time to ensure you're going down the right route.
How many calls are managed is a significant factor, as if your company makes a lot of outbound and inbound calls then you may need to consider opting for a traditional landline system for stability. However, if your company has a lot of users then it may create a time issue as it will take longer to put together if you have such a large team.
The right system for your company depends on the cost that you are willing to invest in. A PBX system has a high upfront cost due to the hardware required, the licensing and the installation costs. VoIP systems come with no upfront costs as you usually would have to pay a monthly subscription for the service. These systems also require enough bandwidth to make and receive calls. With any of the systems, expect to pay ongoing costs to cover updates and replacing outdated equipment.
Depending on how your employees work, will affect which system is best. If employees are working from their mobile phones, then a PBX system with a hard phone will not be suitable to be used. An IP PBX is more suitable for mobile work but will require an internet connection to remain connected to the server. By using a virtual VoIP system, this will enable your company to work virtually, as users can always have access to their softphones.
Finding the best system for your company will also come down to what features you will use most. Hard phones hold the reliable features of call waiting, routing, and transfers, as they have less advanced technology. However, virtual systems are more innovative as they provide real-time observations and recording. This monitoring is important for a business to help improve staff performance and improve relationships with customers.
