February 25, 2014
Choosing the right phone system for your small business requires a lot of thought and planning. There is important information that must be gathered before making an informed decision. The right phone system is one that is properly customized to fit the needs of your business. No two businesses are alike, and every communication plan must be tailored to match what each individual business needs. There are numerous types of phone system options designed for small businesses, including Voice Over IP, Unified Communications, Mobility, Managed Voice and Call Center Systems. Taking the time to gather the following information can help you make a more informed phone system investment.
How Many Users Do You Have and How Will they Use Your Phone System?
This information has to do with the day-to-day operations of your small business. The amount of individuals that will use your new small business phone system greatly impacts the equipment and the plan you will need to purchase. There are typically several options available depending on your number of users and their locations.
Additionally, you will need a phone system that can integrate flawlessly with any current business system, such as CRM and ERP platforms.
It’s important to determine if your staff will be deploying and supporting the phone system or if you are going to need additional support. If your IT staff is minimal or focused on other important projects, chances are a hosted small business phone solution could provide the best benefit to your business.
How Much are you Spending on your Current Phone Plan?
Before investing in a new phone system, you should determine how much you are currently paying, including all equipment, maintenance and service costs. This will help you efficiently compare your current phone costs with new options, to find the one that best fits your needs and budget.
An additional cost consideration is your carrier/line services. It’s helpful to provide vendors with your latest monthly phone bills.
What Do you Wish your Current Phone System Did That it Doesn't?
If you are on the hunt for a new small business phone system, this might mean that you are unsatisfied with your current system or you are missing some important features. Make a list of all the functions you wish your current phone system did that it does not do. Think about why these functions are important to you and how they will make your business run more smoothly. This list should help you compare and choose a new phone system that is right for your business.
What are your Plans for Growth?
Knowing your businesses' future growth plans is helpful when choosing a new phone system. You should discuss these with your vendor to ensure that your new system is tailored to your current business needs, as well as scalable for your future ones.
What is your Budget?
Setting a budget is very important. Your budget should be reasonable and it should be one that reflects all of the features you are looking to add with your new phone system. Communicating your budget ahead of time assists your provider when creating an effective phone system strategy for your business.
A phone system is an important part of every small business. It is not just about making and receiving phone calls. It is much more than that. The right phone system is one that provides you with flawless quality and allows you to stay in touch with your clients, colleagues and co-workers whenever and wherever necessary. Request a consultation with a Phone System Specialist to discuss options for your business.
