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Obtain phone system quotes from
multiple vendors. But make sure you are comparing apples
to apples and oranges to oranges.
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Make sure you get a phone system
with automated attendant for automatic answering and call routing.
Even if you want your phones answered by a real person, what happens
if that person is out sick? Or after hours and on weekends?
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Choose a phone system that can be
programmed remotely. There is no need to wait for a
technician to come to your place of business to reprogram your auto
attendant.
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For ease of use, make sure your
phone system has a self-help feature built right into the phone.
The problem with phone system instruction books is sometimes you
can't find them when you really need them. When the
instructions are built in to the phone, you will never have to hunt
them down or answer co-worker pleas for help ("How do you conference
people in again?")
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Pick a phone system that allows
you to easily add more lines when you need them. As you
grow, so should your phone system. Some experts recommend that
you allow for at least 50% growth over the next five years.
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Build the phone system that is
just right for your business. Decide if music or
advertising on hold messages are important to you. Some
businesses like to set a mood with music, others like to communicate
important marketing messages to callers while they are on hold.
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Decide if you want caller
identification. This feature allows your callers names and
telephone numbers to be shown on your telephones display panel
before you answer the call. This is helpful if you want to
search your database for the callers account information.
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Consider analog connections too if
abuse or theft is a concern. Find a phone system with
extra analog connections for connecting inexpensive analog phones in
locations where abuse or theft is possible (receiving docks, outdoor
call boxes, etc.) or where you want to use a wireless phone.
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Combine the power of your phone
system with Microsoft Outlook. Capture and log details
about every call for better call management by linking your phone
system to the PC. But find an option that doesn't require you
to upgrade your local area network (LAN) or install Microsoft
Exchange, thus avoiding a costly and impractical approach for a
small business.
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Protect your investment.
Growth is good, but what happens if you outgrow your phone system?
Make sure the phone system you buy today can work with a new phone
system tomorrow. That way, you won't have to throw away your
existing phones when that great day comes.
