Phone systems & VOIP

As highlighted in various sections of this buyer's guide, it is important to make your decision to buy a business phone system based on:

• Functions
• Features
• Price
• Size
• Expandability
• Upgradation
• Enhancements
• Service
• Maintenance and Support

After assessing these features, it is equally important to judge the performance delivery of the system and planning for future upgradation. Here are some tips to check, plan and organize your investment in business phones:

Checking the phone system

• Get a Demonstration: This helps you gauge the performance of the phone system with regard to your requirements. You can assess the performance of the system on the basis of sound quality, look and feel, accessing functions and features such as voice mail etc. Such pre-purchase testing will give an opportunity to experience the phone systems in action before you invest in the system on a larger scale.
• Voicemail Compatibility: Assess the compatibility of the phones with a wide range of third party voice mail systems. This will ensure you are not left with a feature you cannot potentially exploit.

Planning for the phone system:

• Extra Wiring: It is advisable to consider extra wiring to provide for expansions or upgradation. Though this can make the wiring costs expensive it will make it easier to expand lines or upgrade your system in no time at low costs.
• Plan your purchase: Try to obtain quotes and advise from dealers early in a quarter in order to actually make the purchase towards the end of the quarter as you can generally expect to get lower prices during this time.