SOHO Phone System Options

By Kristine Hegglin
Updated: February 18, 2011

A small office/home office (SOHO) is a type of phone system that can provide a high-quality solution to telephony communication needs. SOHO phone systems are well suited to businesses with as little as two employees. Businesses can benefit from a SOHO phone system in several ways. SOHO phone systems may be an essential communication device to maintain a business, retain customers, coordinate with customers, and manage customers from the home or office. A SOHO system also provides the infrastructure for business growth opportunities. As a business grows, so can the phone system, which eliminates the need to replace the system.

Types of SOHO Phone Systems

SOHO equipment can be categorized into two types, which are corded and cordless. Corded SOHO phone systems can be further categorized by functionality. The first type of corded SOHO phone consists of a one to four line phone without intercom functionality. The second type of corded SOHO phone is a multi-line phone with intercom and call transfer functionality. Newer cordless SOHO phone systems come with multi-line and multi-extension functionality.

SOHO Phone System Options

There are many SOHO phone systems on the market today. Some features that may be included by a SOHO phone system vendor include:

  • Caller ID/Call Screening
  • Voicemail
  • Auto Attendant
  • Call Waiting
  • Mailboxes
  • Call Transfer
  • Call Forwarding
  • Dial-by-name
  • Multi-line
  • Multi-extension

What to Look for in a SOHO Phone System

SOHO Phone Systems can be purchased for a couple of hundred dollars or more. These systems are a low-cost phone solution with big business phone functionality. When selecting a SOHO phone system, consider the cost of installation, ease of use, and support services. To save on costs, select an easy to install SOHO phone system. It doesn’t make sense to select a SOHO phone system that will cost more to implement than the phone system itself. Selecting a SOHO phone system that is user-friendly generally enables users to more quickly learn how to operate the system. And, it’s nice to purchase a SOHO phone system with reliable support services, which may be vital if technical or functional difficulties arise. It’s a good idea to select a SOHO phone system with a built-in backup battery in case of power outages. Losing data and not being able to make phone calls during power failures may be detrimental to your business.
 

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