Selecting and Installing an Office Phone System

A key piece of any business's technology base is a dependable telephone system. Though phones are now complemented by Internet applications such as email and the World Wide Web, they still serve as a vital connection to customers, suppliers, and business associates for almost every business you can name. And with the growing confluence of web-based and telephone technologies, it has recently become possible to operate an office telephone network via the same Internet connection that handles web and email traffic.

Internet telephone systems are referred to as VoIP phone systems, which stands for "Voice over Internet Protocol". Instead of connecting to standard phone jacks used by conventional phone lines, VoIP phones send their signals through the same cables and routing systems used to transmit web and email data. In so doing they conveniently circumvent all the subscription fees assessed by telecom providers and thus are substantially more affordable than other telecom services. As a result, VoIP is now one of the fastest expanding sectors in the telecom industry, spearheaded by innovative services such as Skype.

In addition to Skype, other telecom vendors to consider when shopping for an office phone system include Avaya, Lucent, Panasonic, Mitel and Nortel. Important factors to keep in mind when procuring a telephone service include how many incoming lines and phone numbers will be needed, its voicemail functionality, its expansion readiness to provide additional lines down the road, and the types of wireless, mobile, or VoIP features your business will require.

Setting up a phone system can appear challenging, especially for a small business moving into its very first office space. The good news is it's easy to find telecom consultants and specialized online. Try a B-to-B networking service like BuyerZone, search professional networks like Linked In, or check listings on eBay for cheap phone system telephone package deals.