1. Know the technology
You'll get the most objective view of the available technology if you familiarise yourself with the basics before contacting
companies.
2. Know your communications needs
Identify the proportion of calls that are made to
internal staff members, the proportion of local vs STD calls, and the proportion of fixed line vs mobile calls.
3. Know how many lines you'll need
How many external calls are you likely to have going at
any one time? This is the number of lines that you'll need.
4. Allow for growth
Don't forget that your business is probably aiming to grow!
Look for a PABX phone system that still has plenty of capacity left over. Some PABX phone systems can handle up to 20 extensions – if you already have 15 offices, you'd be wise to choose a higher-capacity system.
5. Allow for future-readiness
Think that all those new fandangled things they can do
with phones are a waste of time? People said that about the internet 10 years
ago as well. Technology isn't always necessary when it first becomes available
– but as your business partners and customers become more familiar with it,
your business will need to reflect those changing standards. Don't dismiss
features that you don't currently use too quickly.
6. Choose decentralised voicemail
In businesses that are large enough to benefit from PABX
phone systems, it makes little sense to have a central message bank. Ensure
that all extensions of your PABX phone systems can have individual voicemail
activated to simplify communications.
7. Set up a selection team
Your PABX phone system selection team will need to consist
of the heaviest phone users in the company, a senior manager and a finance or
budgeting representative.
8. Look for a warranty
Phone Business offers a 36 month warranty on all PABX
phone system handsets we sell and install.
9. Look for in-house installation
You'll save time, hassle and money by choosing a PABX
phone system supplier that can also complete your installation.
