Business phone sytems have evolved rapidly over the last few years and they rival elaborate PBX systems that previously could only be afforded by larger companies. Thanks to the availability of VoIP and hosted systems, as well as computer telephony integration (CTI), businesses of all sizes are now far more efficient and competitive than would have been possible without such systems.
These VoIP phone systems ensure 24x7 availability of the messaging system, even if the business itself is not available 24x7. No message is ever lost, and advanced analysis of phone usage ensures that costs are minimized while efficiency is never sacrificed.
Voip service providers offer a variety of bundles and packages. Yet the key to finding the right Voip solution is in the detailed analysis of your business needs and the corresponding phone system features. In reality, there are a few core features that will have most of the impact on your business. While examining your options for business VoiP, focusing on these core VoiP features can prevent you from being distracted by features that, while interesting or even promising, will not do the heavy lifting your business needs now.
VoIP features can be classified in 7 groups:
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Calling Options
Business Intelligence and Analytics Features
Conferencing Features
Voicemail and Messaging Features
Collaboration Features
Adminstration Features
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Message on Hold
A business phone system with the message on hold feature makes advertising easier for most companies today. The message on hold feature will play a recorded message with a voiceover and music for a caller to listen to while on hold. The message will typically discuss current sales offered by the company or an overview of the company.
Back up Power
In the event of a power outage during regular working hours, it is imperative that the phone system does not shutdown. Most business phone systems on the market today offer a 60 minute back up power feature that keeps the phones running during an outage.
Computer Telephone Integration (CTI)
The CTI feature is one of the most expensive features available on the market today because of the technology involved. This feature helps employees save time dialing, reduce wrong number dialing, and improve customer service. When the phone system is synched with the computer system and a client calls, the number will register on the computer, opening up the client’s account so the employee does not have to search for it while on the phone with the client.
Paging
There are two types of paging features available on business phone systems today: the ability to page another employee over the company’s radio system and to call another employee on their office phone from an office phone in the building.
Call Forwarding
The ability to forward phone calls to a cell phone, a home phone, or another work phone from a main office number is a feature that almost all businesses require when purchasing a new phone system. All the employee has to do is hit the forward button and then type in the number to forward to incoming phone calls to while out of the office.
Voice Mail
Voice mail is very important when purchasing a new business phone system because it allows clients and employees to leave messages at the office when the number being called is in use or no one is available to answer. Some systems include this in the basic system, while others may require a small upgrade.
Remote Location
This feature allows the company to connect to employees at off-site locations simply by dialing an external number.
Conferencing
All businesses these days need a feature that allows multiple employees to talk on the phone with clients and others in the office, which is where a trusty conferencing feature comes into play.
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