Whether you’re starting a business or upgrading an infrastructure of an existing one, a crucial factor is which phone system you use. The reason is that having a poorly performing system will come back to haunt you later on, and an excellent one can increase the productivity and cohesion of your team. Below, we explain 7 factors you should consider when choosing the right Winnipeg phone systems for business.
#1. Virtual Systems
If your business is small enough, you may want to choose a virtual system over a conventional one. Doing so will allow you to save money while still getting a great deal of functionality. The difference between virtual and typical systems is that in the former, you have one business phone number that people call. Then, the system forwards that call to a personal phone, rather than a company phone. The trade-off when choosing a virtual network is simple: Lower cost for fewer capabilities. Still, it may be right for your business.
#2. Connection Type
If you decide to go with a conventional system, your next choice is between landline and VoIP. The former relies on traditional copper wiring to connect phones to each other. This system is what you will find in older businesses that have not updated their hardware in a while or prefer landlines. The other option is VoIP, which uses the internet rather than a physical connection. Businesses generally consider this option to be more modern and convenient.
#3. Hosting
Another decision you need to make is how you will host your phone system. Your first option is hosting on-site, which will involve leasing or purchasing equipment that you keep at your place of work. The second is using a cloud service, where your provider houses all of the machinery. If you choose on-site, you will not have to rely on some other company, but also have to deal with maintenance on your own. If you go with the cloud, there is less to think about, but fixing disconnections are out of your hands. One thing to note is that landlines require on-site hosting, while VoIP can use either.
#4. Cost
Your phone systems choice depends on how much you’re willing to spend. This is true in two situations. First, on-site hosting vs. using the cloud. When hosting at your business, you need to pay quite a bit up front in equipment costs. Alternatively, cloud hosting costs come in the form of a relatively small monthly fee. The second situation is choosing between companies. Some will offer a more reliable service for high prices, while others will be more affordable but perhaps less effective.
#5. Calling Features
What features you want will depend on how you plan to use your phone system. If you believe that you could use options like an automated attendant, voicemail to email, call recording, or missed call notifications, you should ask your potential provider if they offer those features and at what price. If you are not satisfied with the answer, you should consider using an alternate company for your phone system service.
#6. Collaboration Capabilities
Similar to calling features, there are many collaboration capabilities that you could use. Those could include calling into web conferences, conference calls, or instant messaging. One of the most important factors in running a successful business is cohesion, so exploring collaboration features is well worth your time.
#7. Mobile Integration
Some business phone systems allow employees to operate on them from a smartphone. This means that they can check voicemail, receive calls, and make calls from an app on their phone. Businesses that frequently send their employees to remote locations may want to purchase a system with this added option.
Most business owners understand that little decisions can make a significant difference in company performance. One of those critical choices is the precise features that you want your phone system to have. Once you weigh out all your options, you can make your decision with confidence.