You might have started your small business right at your kitchen table via a laptop and a smartphone. But hopefully, you’re looking toward the future with your wide eyes on one particular word: expansion. When the day finally comes where you can settle in to brand new office space, you’ll need to be connected beyond just a simple cell phone — you’ll need the quality services that proper business phone systems can provide. But where should you even begin to look? First, you’ll want to get to know the different types of telephone systems you can set up in your new quarters.
KSU-Less Phone Systems
From your humble beginnings using the free WiFi at Starbucks, you’ve always been a small company at heart. KSU-less systems don’t require key service units to operate, which means the wiring itself is not located physically within the walls of the office. Instead, you get up to 10 extensions (perfect for small operations) and a portable communications system that can be unplugged and moved around when you need to relocate. But beware — you’ll be fronting the cost of the installation.
PBX Phone Systems
As your company grows and begins hiring more people, you’ll likely need to look into a service that provides you with more telephone extensions. PBX, or private branch exchange, can allow up to 40 extensions and can cater to any subdivisions that pop up within the company. Since this is a more expensive phone system for small businesses, the telephone company will usually cover the cost of installation and hardware.
Key Phone Systems
Key systems handle essentially everything in between KSU-less and PBX. Providing anywhere from five to 40 extensions, the key station operates from a central control unit and allows users more control over the incoming calls directly. You see these kinds of phone systems all the time in popular media — as in, “Don, I’ve got Herb Rennet on line one,” followed by Don pushing the flashing-light button for line one to talk.
Voice over Internet Protocol Systems
Face it: In the age of the Internet, employees don’t physically have to be in the office to be doing their best work. Say someone goes on a business trip or stays home to work. Say your office phone system needs to be used to communicate with business partners in a conference-call setting. This is what Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) can be used for. Essentially, VoIP allows you to make calls using the web, effectively bringing your business into the sphere of modern technology. Great references here.