| Phone and voice mail systems can be pretty | | | | called a Hybrid phone system. These systems are |
| costly, even for companies with a low number of | | | | ideal for small to mid sized companies of about |
| users. Before investing in any type of phone | | | | fifty to a hundred employees, and offer many of |
| system or voice mail system, you need to | | | | the features much larger PBX systems offer. |
| estimate how much your company is likely to | | | | Below is a check list for when you are selecting a |
| expand over the next few years. Failure to do | | | | new phone and voice mail system and supplier: |
| this could cost you or your company a lot of | | | | 1. Try to estimate how much your company will |
| money in upgrade and restructuring costs further | | | | grow in the next three to five years. Look at |
| down the road. It is better and cheaper to plan | | | | how many lines and extensions you have at the |
| and allow for expansion at an early stage, than | | | | moment and decide how many your company |
| wait until it is too late. | | | | may require in the future. |
| If you plan to remain under ten users then I | | | | 2. Contact potential suppliers, and arrange an |
| would recommend you invest in a KSU-less | | | | appointment with them for a full demonstration. A |
| system. Basically these look like normal phones | | | | number of these can be sourced off the internet |
| that carry all the technology and software needed | | | | or through your local business pages. This will also |
| to run a small phone system of up to four lines | | | | give them a good opportunity to have a look at |
| and eight to twelve extensions. These systems | | | | you and evaluate your potential requirements. |
| offer many of the features that a full PBX phone | | | | Remember to ask them about their experience |
| system offers. Be sure to check with your | | | | and if necessary ask for referrals. You could even |
| supplier what features are available on these | | | | ask to see a system they have recently installed. |
| types of phone systems. | | | | 3. Make sure you decide on a rough budget for |
| These systems are relatively cheap compared to | | | | your proposed new telephone and voice mail |
| other types of phone systems. They are also | | | | system. Ask around other businesses of similar |
| easy to install, so can be quickly re-located to | | | | size, what they have invested in their systems. |
| another location. This type of phone system | | | | 4. When potential suppliers provide you with a |
| usually comes as a boxed product that is installed | | | | quote for your new phone system, go through |
| by you, and carries a manufacturer's warranty. | | | | them carefully, ensuring they include all of the |
| You will have to make enquiries with your vendor | | | | requirements your business will need. These may |
| as to the level of after sales support that is | | | | include extras like; Voice mail, additional handsets, |
| available. You may find it is much less than if you | | | | call handling software, automated attendants, |
| had purchased a larger more expensive system. | | | | service level agreements (SLA's) and any other |
| One major disadvantage of KSU-less phone | | | | additional features. |
| systems, is that they cannot integrate a separate | | | | 5. Once you have decided on one or two |
| voice mail system. If you do choose to purchase | | | | suppliers, it is time to get them back round. |
| one of these KSU-less phone systems, then you | | | | Remember, they want your business. Bearing in |
| will have to use a voice mail service that is | | | | mind the budget you decided earlier, make your |
| offered by your telephone company. | | | | decision based upon not only price, but which |
| If you decide that you must have a fully featured | | | | supplier you think can provide your company with |
| voice mail system, and can confidently predict | | | | the best service before, during and after the |
| your company will expand beyond ten users | | | | installation of your new phone and voice mail |
| within next few short years, then you will be | | | | system. Any good potential supplier will be more |
| better off investing in a proper fully featured KSU | | | | than happy to answer any questions you may |
| phone system. These systems are typical in | | | | have about the phone system they intend to |
| companies with around forty users. Some | | | | supply and install for you. |
| suppliers may recommend installing something | | | | |