With the impending ISDN and PSTN switch off there has never been a better time to look into replacing your current telephone system with something newer and more tailored to your business needs.
However, with the myriad of phone systems available, it can be challenging to determine which one best suits your needs. This blog explains the various phone systems we have available at Blue Planet Networking and explains what each one is and how it can benefit your business.
Traditional PBX Systems
Private Branch Exchange (PBX) systems are traditional phone systems used within an organisation to manage incoming and outgoing calls. A PBX allows a company to have multiple phone lines while using fewer physical lines. These systems can handle internal communication, call routing, voicemail, and conference calls. Traditional PBX systems are often on-premises, requiring substantial upfront investment in hardware and ongoing maintenance.
Key Benefits:
- Reliable and established technology.
- Full control over the system.
- Customisable to specific business needs.
Hosted Phone Systems
Hosted phone systems, also known as Hosted PBX, are cloud-based services. Instead of maintaining equipment on-site, all PBX functions are managed off-site and delivered over the Internet.
Key Benefits:
- Lower upfront costs.
- Easy to scale and upgrade.
- Reduced maintenance responsibilities.
IVR Systems
Interactive Voice Response (IVR) systems use automated telephony technology to interact with callers through voice and DTMF tones via a keypad. IVR systems can route calls, provide information, and facilitate transactions without human intervention.
Key Benefits:
- Improved customer service efficiency.
- 24/7 availability.
- Reduced need for human operators.
VoIP Phone Systems
Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) phone systems transmit voice calls over the Internet instead of traditional phone lines. VoIP can be used for both internal and external communication and often includes features such as voicemail, call forwarding, and conference calling.
Key Benefits:
- Cost-effective, especially for long-distance calls.
- High scalability and flexibility.
- Rich feature set.
VoIP Hardware
To use a VoIP system, certain hardware is required, such as IP phones, analogue telephone adapters (ATAs), and VoIP gateways. IP phones look and function like traditional phones but connect to a computer network instead of standard phone lines. ATAs allow traditional phones to connect to a VoIP network, while VoIP gateways convert traditional phone signals to IP.
Key Benefits:
- Enhanced functionality with IP phones.
- Flexibility with ATAs for using existing hardware.
- Seamless integration with VoIP systems.
Virtual Phone Numbers
Virtual phone numbers are not tied to a specific phone line or device. Instead, they can be programmed to forward calls to any phone, including mobile phones or VoIP systems. These numbers are particularly useful for businesses that want a local presence in different regions without physical offices.
Key Benefits:
- Flexibility in call routing.
- Establishes a local presence without physical offices.
- Easy to set up and manage.
Call Conferencing Systems
Call conferencing systems enable multiple participants to join the same call, facilitating group meetings and discussions. These systems can be either traditional (PSTN-based) or VoIP-based, offering features such as screen sharing, video conferencing, and recording.
Key Benefits:
- Enhances collaboration and communication.
- Saves time and travel costs.
- Versatile with various features.
Call Recording
Call recording systems capture and store voice conversations for various purposes, including quality assurance, compliance, training, and dispute resolution. These recordings can be done on both traditional and VoIP systems.
Key Benefits:
- Valuable for training and quality control.
- Compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.
- Record keeping for dispute resolution.
UC Phone Systems
Unified Communications (UC) phone systems integrate various communication tools such as voice, video, instant messaging, and email into a single platform. UC systems aim to improve efficiency and collaboration by providing a seamless communication experience across different devices and locations.
Key Benefits:
- Streamlined communication and collaboration.
- Increased productivity.
- Flexibility to work from anywhere.
Conclusion
Understanding Different Phone Systems is not easy and choosing the right phone system depends on your business needs, budget, and infrastructure. Whether you opt for a traditional PBX, a modern VoIP system, or a comprehensive UC solution, understanding the benefits of each can help you make an informed decision. By leveraging the right communication tools, you can enhance your business operations and provide better service to your customers.
Blue Planet Networking Ltd can offer you complete Business Phone System packages, including supply and installation, new phone numbers or number porting, and call packages. We have long standing relationships with several suppliers that enable us to provide you with the best possible hardware and service for your business needs.
If you need help understanding different phone systems that would suit your business please get in touch.