| If you are setting up a business phone system | | | | The main benefits would be: |
| for a Small to Medium Enterprise (SME) of 15- 250 | | | | - FOC inter-site telephone calls |
| users the below sections should be support by | | | | - Shared or Centralised Operators |
| your business systems provider: | | | | - Provides staff at different locations with |
| Remote Workers / Home Workers | | | | centralised and shared functionality, such as |
| If you are working away from the office or from | | | | extension status, transferring of calls, call divert |
| home and you have access to your companies | | | | and call back all of which work perfectly even if in |
| network you can connect an IP telephone (either | | | | different locations |
| software or a hardphone) to your companies | | | | - The set up of hunt groups in different locations |
| telephone system and act exactly the same as if | | | | - DECT cordless roaming between sites Voice |
| you were in the office. Also using a VPN set up it | | | | over IP (VOIP) |
| is possible to interact with all the data and files as | | | | This is a technology that converts traditional |
| if you were still in the office at your desk. | | | | speech into data packets so you are able to send |
| Line Rental & Call Costs | | | | the call over your LAN if in the office or over any |
| Long-term cost is always an important factor | | | | form of IP connections such as a companies |
| when setting up a small business phone system. | | | | WAN or ADSL. |
| Ideally you want a business phone provider that | | | | When the IP call arrives at its destination the call |
| will keep your rental fee as cheap as possible | | | | in converted back into traditional speech. |
| whilst maintaining quality. The same goes for the | | | | The main benefits of VOIP are: |
| usage of the line as the last thing you want to do | | | | - Running voice and data over one Network and |
| is burden your business with expensive | | | | one CAT5 socket in the office saving on additional |
| connectivity. Be sure to look out for what the | | | | resources being required running a data network |
| business phone system providers line can handle | | | | and a voice network. |
| and if that it covers all your current needs and | | | | - Connecting telephone system together using IP |
| any future telecoms development you might have | | | | connections such as a company WAN or IP/VPN. |
| planned. | | | | - Allows a home worker to remain in full contact |
| Business Mobile Phones | | | | with the office whilst working from another |
| Mobile communications play a vital role in today's | | | | location using a standard ADSL connection. |
| business world. So as a result they are an | | | | - Allows connection or your mobile phone to the |
| essential part of a business phone system. Ensure | | | | telephone system via Wi-Fi IP Connection. Voice |
| you go with a company that can offer a good | | | | Recording |
| range of mobile handsets and networks. | | | | The ability to record telephone conversations for |
| Business Broadband | | | | later playback and analysis can be great for |
| Speed and download allowance are the two main | | | | training, problem resolution, and customer |
| factors to bear in mind when choosing an internet | | | | services. This encompasses the recording of ends |
| package for your business. Unless your company | | | | of a telephone call for incoming, outgoing and |
| is barely using the internet an unlimited download | | | | conference calls. |
| package is nearly always the best option. The | | | | Conversations are recorded to a storage medium, |
| average internet speeds in the UK are 4MB so | | | | often a hard disc on a local PC, or network |
| any package that can offer a speed on the | | | | device. Key features would include a fast search |
| positive side of 4MB is a good choice. | | | | facility to track down recordings for playback. Call |
| Mobility (FMC - Fixed Mobile Convergence) | | | | recording delivers peace of mind for users. The |
| FMC allows the user to make calls from a mobile | | | | information recorded is valuable and may be used |
| handset over your Companies Wi-Fi network or | | | | for training purposes as well as in dispute |
| over the GSM network when leaving the office or | | | | resolution of false claims. Not all users need full |
| other Wi-Fi Networks (home or major Public | | | | blown and sophisticated call recording systems. |
| areas). | | | | There is a case for more cost effective systems |
| You are also able to dial into the office FOC and | | | | that archive calls for a set period of time. |
| dial out from one of your companies standard | | | | If you are accessing your messages via a |
| telephone lines at Landline rates rather than mobile | | | | standard telephone your are able to listen to your |
| phone contact rates. Savings from dual mode | | | | voice-mail the normal, listen to your e-mails via |
| (Smart Devices such as PDA's) handsets are very | | | | text to speech and forward faxes onto any fax |
| clear for all companies paying for more than a | | | | machine that you are near. The way in which it |
| few mobiles. | | | | works is we supply a Server and software that is |
| Multisite Locations | | | | connected onto your LAN and fully integrates with |
| If you are a company that operates from more | | | | your Exchange server. The messages are still |
| than one office there are many benefits to | | | | stored on the voice-mail server and played on |
| networking you telephone system so that it | | | | request. |
| operates as one system. | | | | |