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Business phone systems – Types and top features

Business phone systems – Types and top features

Communication is a crucial aspect of running a successful business. Even though emails and instant messaging applications have taken over, telephone communication remains prominent. That is why, when picking a new phone system for your enterprise, it is imperative to create a list of features that are important to you and could help your endeavor reach new heights. Some common features available in phone systems that may help you grow your business are listed below.

Top features to watch out for in phone systems for businesses

  • Multiple phone lines- Having multiple phone lines lets your employees switch between calls and better manage high call volume. The number of lines your business requires depends on the size of your enterprise.
  • Auto-attendant- Companies will benefit from automated greeting systems that route the caller to the required department, depending on their query.
  • Visual voicemail- Voicemail systems for businesses are more advanced than just recording messages. They can be used to transcribe the message and send it to the concerned employee via text or mail.
  • Conference calls- This allows multiple employees to tune into one call and is necessary for companies operating a hybrid workforce.
  • Call forwarding- This feature allows a user to forward a call to another phone number or email address.
  • On-hold messages- This lets businesses record a waiting message or play background music while a caller is on hold.
  • Handset support- Modern-day business phone systems should be compatible with wired and wireless headsets for easy access.

Types of business phone systems
When considering business phone systems, there are three major types to choose from.

Key system units
Key System Units (KSUs) are the most basic phone system. For companies with a workforce of up to 40 people, these systems are adept at handling all essential functions of a small business. Still, they do not offer the flexibility and portability that others may require. This system uses a central switching device to determine the phone connection manually.

For those looking for a more portable and flexible version of this in a smaller setting, the KSU-less may be interesting. It offers the same functionality as a KSU system without using the central switching unit, making it completely wireless. However, this system may be severely limited to small businesses looking to grow, as it cannot handle more than ten operators.

Private Branch Exchange
A Private Branch Exchange (PBX) phone system is a more advanced option for businesses with over 40 employees. It uses programmable switching devices, making it possible to automate the routing of incoming calls. It also features an uninterruptible power supply, meaning businesses can continue operating as usual, even without electricity, for a short time.

Businesses can also opt for the hosted PBX, where the programmable switching device is hosted by a telephone provider and not installed on the premises. It helps bring down installation and maintenance costs.

Voice over Internet Protocol
Businesses looking for the most advanced systems must check out the Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), which utilizes Cloud technology to allow users to communicate even in different countries. Perhaps the most expensive system to set up, VoIP requires internet and a computer. The functions of this system are accessible via the company’s internet network to all the employees, and the final cost depends on the number of employees in the company.

For businesses looking to save installation and maintenance costs, it is also possible to have a hosted VoIP setup similar to hosted PBX.

Cost of business phone systems
A business phone system costs around $15 to $50 monthly per user. These prices may vary depending on the service opted for, available bundles, and any additional features that businesses like automated answering machines or support services may choose.

Currently, 8×8 offers some of the best deals in business phone systems. Using PBX technology, they offer award-winning voice quality for in-office and remote calls, along with seamless integration into business applications such as Microsoft Teams and other CRM systems. In addition, 8×8 offers an all-inclusive voice, video, and chat plan for larger teams at just $24 per user. This plan can accommodate unlimited users and unlimited voice calling to 14 countries and comes with features such as a multi-level auto-attendant, call handling, call queues, voicemail transcription, presence detection, team messaging, document sharing, video conferencing with screen sharing, integrations with CRM and other business apps, and more.

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