Considerations that should be made by UK Businesses ahead of choosing a telephone system.

1. Telephone Systems: A Buyer’s Guide

2. Telephone Systems: A Buyer’s Guide
Here we discuss considerations that should be made by UK businesses ahead
of choosing a telephone system.
We will go through and explain the:
•
Capabilities
•
Limitations
•
Benefits

3. Considerations For Choosing A
Telephone System

4. Lead Times
The length of time it takes to set-up your telephone system: this
is especially important to consider when moving to a new premises
New basic and ISDN (digital) lines, and Broadband packages, can
take up to a month to be installed once ordered
Businesses seeking a new telephone system, but not as part of a
move, should still be aware of lead times, as new lines may be
required as part of a system upgrade

5. Cabling
Do you know the type of cabling your current or future premises
has installed?
Although it currently may be sufficient for your new system’s
needs, you will need to have the current cabling analysed to be sure
You need to understand the current specifications before ordering
any system to ensure compatibility, and to determine any additional
cabling requirements

6. Expandability
You’ll want to consider the expansion goals of your business
when choosing a telephone system. Uninstalling a perfectly good
system simply because you have reached its capacity is obviously
not ideal
Some key systems can be expanded should VoIP lines be used, but
for large businesses (40+ employees), easily expandable and
advanced feature-compatible PBX systems are the ideal choice
International businesses should seriously consider a VoIP-based
system

7. Compatibility
While many telephones, accessories and add-on options are
compatible with a multitude of telephone systems, it is always
important to check whether your current equipment will work as part
of your planned upgrade
It may be the case that certain peripherals will need replacing – if
you’re unsure, don’t hesitate to contact our team for expert advice

8. Budget
Best4Systems has telephone systems to suit any budget. In addition
to brand new telephone systems and the related equipment, we also
provide many refurbished options – all of which come with one year’s
warranty
If you’re looking to upgrade your current system, we’ll discount your
order in exchange for your old equipment, which we’ll then recycle

9. What Is A Key Telephone
System?

10. Advantages of key Telephone Systems?
•
Suitable for businesses with up to 50 employees
•
Convenience of proprietary handsets, designed to work specifically with
the installed key system
•
One-size-fits-all functionality
•
Can be easily customised with software upgrades
•
Reliable
•
Minimal maintenance required

11. Disadvantages of key Telephone Systems?
•
Unsuitable for businesses with more than 50 employees
•
Advanced functionality (such as auto attendant and ring groups) can often
be lacking when compared to PBX systems (despite the fact that the gap
between the two options is becoming increasingly blurred)

12. What is a PABX (PBX)
telephone system?

13. What is a PABX (PBX) telephone system?
•
PABX (Private Automatic Branch Exchange) is a type of private
telephone network used internally by businesses. Such systems connect
to each other without the need to rent costly lines for each, while users
share a number of outside lines to make external calls
•
It once was the case that these systems were called PBX
systems, because they required the use of a live operator

14. What is a PABX (PBX) telephone system?
•
PABX systems comprise a control box, through which the system’s
functionality can be controlled. It is often the case that these PABX boxes
must be plugged into an external PC or laptop (with particular software
installed) to be administrated
•
An increasing number of PABX systems allow the benefits of VoIP (Voice
Over Internet Protocol) technology to be utilised
•
Virtual PBXs are also available over the Public Switched Telephone Network
(PSTN). These are systems hosted by large telecoms companies, providing
PBX functionality to businesses as a premium service

15. Advantages of PABX systems
•
Negates the need to have direct lines for each individual
terminal, keeping line rental overheads low
•
Automatically routes incoming calls to specific extensions
•
Interconnected on-premises terminals can call each other free of
charge, encouraging good communication and efficient business
operations
•
Calls can be logged automatically, aiding understanding of where time
and/or money can be saved within an organisation
•
Feature rich

16. Disadvantages of PABX systems
•
Can be an expensive (but worthwhile) business investment
•
The services of an external technician may be required to keep a PABX
system operating smoothly

17. What is an IPBX (IP BPX)
telephone system?

18. What is an IPBX (IP BPX) telephone
system?
•
An IPBX (Internet Private Branch Exchange) – also referred to as an IP BPX –
is a system that allows calls to be conducted over internet protocol data networks
•
IPBXs are often considered the best choice for mid to large businesses, since
they are feature-rich (auto attendant, voicemail, ring groups etc.), software-based
(allowing easy installation and greater customisation) and offer problem-free, and
cost-effective, scalability.
•
Converged data, voice networks, web browsing, VoIP, and standard phone
conversations can be conducted through single lines. This reduces maintenance
and long-term operation overheads for businesses, andt also provides the
flexibility expanding operations require.
•
Like a traditional PBX, an IPBX is owned by the enterprise and is not dependent
on proprietary hardware or software. Virtual IPBXs are also available over the
Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). These systems see IPBX
functionality hosted by large telecoms companies, who charge businesses to
make use of the service.

19. Advantages of IPBX systems
•
Simpler to install and configure than proprietary phone systems
•
IPBX systems are easier to manage, thanks to web/GUI-based configuration
interface
•
Hardware phones can be plugged in to standard PC network ports, eliminating
the need for excessive phone wires
•
Growing businesses can scale their IPBX system easily and economically
•
Routing long distance and international calls through the internet can save
businesses a great deal money
•
Employee hot desking and roaming is easiest with IPBX systems
•
Allows integration of phone functions with business applications (for example, a
customer’s file could appear on screen when they call)

20. Disadvantages of IPBX systems
•
Can be an expensive business investment
•
IPBX systems are potentially less secure than alternatives due to internet
connectivity. However, this issue can be resolved with the implementation of
strong passwords and firewalls, and by restricting the number of features
available outside of a business’s LAN (Local Area Network)

21. What is a Hybrid telephone
system?

22. What is a hybrid telephone system?
•
Hybrid systems can be considered a cross between basic key systems
and more complicated private automatic branch exchanges (PABXs)
often installed at large organisations
•
Hybrid systems are low cost and easy to manage but offer more
features, greater flexibility and scalability.
•
Hybrid systems can route both analogue and digital signals to
appropriate terminals. Calls over traditional local telephone lines can be
completed but hybrid systems also provide the option of routing certain
calls over the internet to benefit from features available in VoIP systems.
•
One of the most traditional applications of hybrid systems has been to
connect a business’s main analogue line to its more complicated internal
telephone system, essentially operating its own private branch
exchange (PBX)

23. Advantages of hybrid systems
•
The most modern hybrid systems offer ‘the best of both
worlds’, combining key system and digital functionalities
•
Hybrid systems can offer many of the benefits of pure VoIP systems, at
a much lower price point
•
Routing long distance and international calls through the internet can
save businesses a great deal of money
• Hybrid systems can increase productivity by allowing the
efficient transference of calls to the correct extensions, both
inside and outside of the main business premises

24. Disadvantages of hybrid systems
•
Technicians responsible for the smooth operation of a hybrid system will
need to be familiar with key system, PBX and VoIP technologies

25. Our full guide can be found at:
www.best4systems.co.uk/telephone-systems-buyers-guide
-----------------------------------------------------We also have a glossary of telephone terms
www.best4systems.co.uk/glossary-of-telephone-terms

26. Best4Systems
www.best4systems.co.uk