At least 72% of employees feel that they’re missing out on important information at work. While this is important for internal systems to function properly, it’s also critical for client or customer-facing interactions and business success. The solution? Good business phone systems are a great place to start.
They’re a crucial aspect of running any successful enterprise. However, just using any type of IT phone system or VoIP system won’t do. It’s essential to understand the different types of phone systems available if you’re looking to enhance your communication abilities, streamline your workflow, and increase efficiency.
Unsure where to start? Follow along as we explore the different types of business phone systems available in the market, their advantages and disadvantages, and how they can help improve your communication and operations.
What Are Business Phone Systems?
A business phone system is a communication network specially designed to cater to the needs of a business. So, it’s more than just a few telephone lines linked together. Instead, it usually consists of multiple phone lines and extensions. The point? It facilitates the exchange of internal and external communication, including:
- Voice calls
- Voicemails
- Conference calls
- More
A telephone system like this provides a professional appearance and streamlined communication channels for employees and customers. A variety of business phone systems are available, including traditional landlines, VoIP, Cloud-hosted, and Hybrid. Choosing the right system for your business is critical to increasing efficiency, productivity, and customer satisfaction.
Types of Phone Systems
There are a variety of phone systems available for businesses these days, each with its own set of features and benefits. Here are some of the most common types of business phone systems.
Key Service Utility (KSU)
This is a type of phone system primarily used by small businesses. It’s a basic system that provides features like a business phone number plus:
- Call transferring
- Call holding
- Conferencing
- Speed dialing
KSUs are limited in terms of scalability and additional features. That’s why they’re often not sufficient for larger companies or those that have high call volumes.
Private Branch Exchange (PBX)
PBX phone systems have been around for decades and have been the primary choice for medium to large businesses. They’re more advanced than KSUs, offering additional features such as:
- Automated attendants
- Voicemail
- Call recording
- Call queues
Unlike KSUs, PBX phone systems are scalable and can grow with your business needs. They can also integrate with other communication technologies like email and video conferencing.
Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP)
VoIP is a relatively new type of phone system that uses the internet to transmit calls instead of traditional phone lines. VoIP phone systems are highly flexible and can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection. They (usually) offer advanced features like:
- Video conferencing
- Instant messaging
- Screen sharing
Additionally, VoIP systems are generally more cost-effective than traditional phone systems. However, the quality of calls can be affected by the strength of your internet connection.
The Best Telephone System
What’s the best telephone system for your business? It will ultimately depend on the size and needs of your company. KSUs are perfect for small businesses, PBX systems for medium-sized ones, and VoIP for larger companies that require flexibility and advanced features.
Get Managed IT Services
We hope this guide has helped shed light on the many different business phone systems available to you. However, with technology constantly evolving, it can quickly become overwhelming to navigate the many options and maintain dependable phone system software.
If you’re unsure where to start or need help implementing systems, contact us to learn more about our managed IT services and phone system solutions. Our experts can guide you through the process of selecting the right system for your business and ensure seamless integration with your current operations.