Selecting an Office Phone System
Choosing a new phone system for your office can be quite a herculean task if you're not prepared. Much like anything else, you can be swindled by phone vendors that only want to sell you the product they represent.
You have to be prepared when looking to do something as substantial as upgrade your company's phone system, so here are some helpful tips to selecting what's right for you and your office.
1. Don't get too big. It's easy to get caught up in the hype of the latest and greatest in office phone system technology. Don't let yourself do it. Take a step back and account for your office's size and how much the phone system will actually be used.
For a smaller office, you won't need something like a T1 phone/internet line. You'll be fine with a regular internet connection and a standard phone system. If you work for a giant corporation, though, looking into something like a T1 line might not be a bad idea, even though it's a little more expensive.
2. Don't buy what you don't need. Do you really need all new phones for your employees, or will the ones you have suffice? That's a big question that can save you a big expense if you don't need to replace the handsets, just the infrastructure.
If you are going to replace the handsets, it's likely that you could find some used phones in a used office supply store. Look into that option before buying new, because you'll save yourself a lot of money.
3. Prioritize. Make sure you know exactly what you're looking for before you start looking. That will save you a big headache, let alone a lot of cash.
If you know your company needs a new voicemail system or just simply wants to save money, either way make sure you go in with a clear picture of exactly what you need. That way you can eliminate several options right away, saving you valuable time.
Selecting a new phone system for your office can be a daunting task, but if you follow these three steps, it doesn't have to be. Prioritize may be listed third, but it is certainly the most important step in the process. If you know what you need going in, you'll get a lot more out of it when the process is finished.
