So, you’re in the market for a new telephone system or looking to migrate to a larger system? The choices are abundant, but how do you make a decision that is right for you, your business and your budget

Consider the following:

A. The features you like,
B. The features you need,
C. The features you don’t like,
D. Your customer/client expectations,
E. Your Business Communication plan for the future.

The need to communicate effectively and efficiently:

Every business has to communicate with its customers. A small business may only need a line or two from the local Bell Company, whereas, a large business may need a robust system that offers an Auto Attendant/Receptionist, IVR (Interactive Voice Response), a Voice Mail, CDR (Call Detail Records), or even, Call Center Technology.

To find the system that meets your needs will require that you do a bit of research and ask yourself some questions related to your current and future business model.

By answering a few questions your organization will be stirred to a Telecommunications system that meets current needs and encompasses future growth.

How many numbers* do you need? ______
How many Fax Machines will you have? ______
How many modem lines will you need? ______
How many Analog sets will you need? ______
How many Digital sets will you need? ______
Are you planning on having an Operator Console/Position? ______
Do you want Caller ID capabilities?______

* – Numbers could be a 1 to 1 relationship (Analog lines) or a DID (Direct Inward Dial) range with the use of a T1. See T1 information below.

Trunks

Trunks allow your business to communicate to the PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network). The two common Voice Grade Trunks are: Central Office Trunks (Analog telephone numbers) and T1′s (Digital Circuits). Many systems are moving into VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) while maintaing their Legacy System features.

Do you need a T1?

A T1 contains 23 B-Channels and 1 D-Channel. The B-Channels are the dedicated Voice Connections and can be broken up into Incoming and Outgoing trunks/routes, and the D-Channel carries call control and signaling information.

Consider the following criteria:

How many calls are made in a typical business day? _______
What is the average length of the calls being made? _______
Have you every received a busy when attempting to access an outside line? ______
Is receiving a busy acceptable? ______
Is your business expecting considerable growth in the near future? ______
Does your business perform outside transfers and conferences? ______
Are you planning on buying a Toll Free number? _____

Note: A T1 may make sense for your organization – as it allows for DID (Direct Inward Dial) and outgoing routes to be associated to the number of concurrent calls. Thus idle talk paths are offered to system users when they are not in use – maximizing your system resources.

Analog lines perform the same action in a hunt group. A lot of small businesses over expand the hunt groups to prevent busy signals during the busiest time of day – the line is unused most of the day. T1 cost varies – As of 4/24/05, I’ve found a number of T1 Business lines for $359.00 and up.

Example:

If your organization has 20 associates, you would most likely want each associate to have a private number (a DID). Thus, 20 analog lines @ $35.00 to $40.00 per month = $800.00.

In this case a T1 would make sense as it allows the system programmer to route DID calls in and create a separate route for calls out, ensuring maximum efficiency.

On the other hand, if your organization as 8 or fewer employees then it maybe cost effective to keep your analog service dependent upon the features needed.

What features and applications do you want? Hold and Transfer, Conference, Music On Hold, Multi-Line Phones, Associate/Employee controlled call foward, Auto Attendant/receptionist, Voice Mail, CDR (Call Detail Records), Time of Day Announcements, ACD (Automatic Call Distribution), Advanced Call Center Applications,

Hold and Conference – Can be performed by Non-KSU (Centrex), KSU, and PBX Systems.

Music on Hold – Requires a KSU or PBX.

Multi-line phones – on a Non-KSU you are limited to 2 lines. KSU’s and PBX Systems allow for multiple lines. If you would like to view every line – you’ll need to insure that the system and phones allow for Busy Lamp fields or that the phones have enough programmable keys.

Associate/Employee Controlled Call Forwards – Can be performed with Centrex Services, KSU and PBX Systems. This is an important feature as it allows the associate/employee to determine where calls will go when not answered or when he/she is busy.

Auto Attendant/Receptionist – Is usually an additional module or software enhancement to a system. This enhancement when grouped with other systems/applications (Digit collection, Voice Mail, etc.) offers a powerful solution to handling incoming callers. Some KSU’s have this feature, most PBX Systems have this feature.

Voice Mail – Voice Mail allows each associate to create personal greetings, passcodes and manage messages. Ideal for creating and maintaining CRM (Customer Response Management). Can be performed by Centrex lines, KSU and PBX Systems

Call Detail Recording – Your organization may like to collect Call Details (the number dialed, the cost of the call, Date/Time, etc.). You may want to bill back to a client, associate, or department for calls made. Some KSU’s have this feature, most PBX systems have this feature.

Time of Day Announcements – Requires a KSU or PBX.

ACD (Automatic Call Distribution) – Some KSU’s support this feature, most PBX systems support this feature.

Finding your system

When you’ve developed your Business Communication plan – take a look at some of the KSU/PBX systems on the internet or this site and find the one that matches your plan the best.

Now that you have an idea of what features you need and the feature that you like – attempt to match them to the systems in PbxInfo’s · System Comparison. The only side-by-side system comparison on the internet.

Finally, be prepared to ask the following questions when you’ve decided on a system.

• Ask the vendor, “Are you an authorized dealer?”

• Ask if it’s possible to visit the last site the vendor performed an install at. Look for well documented systems, cable labeling, housekeeping and neatness.

• Visit the vendors place of business. Many times a vendor will have a mock-up of the system that you are interested in.

• Ask about service support and maintenance contracts – including how much it costs and whether it is offered over the phone.

• Ask about the possibility of buying a refurbished or used system.

Other areas of interest:

Looking for used equipment – Vist PbxInfo’s Market Place.

Looking for a vendor – Visit PbxInfo’s RFQ Area.

Related article,  Saving Money on Your Long Distance.

Related article, ·Auditing Your Telephone Bill.

Related article, ·Bundled Services.

Related Website:  CS2 Communications

Related Website: Pbx Info

Article by Charles Carter

If you haven’t been keeping up with the latest technological innovations in the telecommunications industry then you may be unaware of what Comcast has been up to recently. It’s called bundled services and it brings far more savings and convenience to their family of customers in an industry that has been in dire need of lower prices for years.

Its supermarket style shopping that allows you to receive all of your homes telecommunications services from one reliable source for greater savings and convenience. Comcast has been the leader in TV programming for decades now and they have been able to fall back on their vast trove of experience in customer service when they broke new ground with their state of the art digital phone service.

It’s a flat rate phone service that has completely done away with all charges for phone service that have ran up your phone bills in the past. With Comcast you get free nationwide long distance calling in the entire U.S., including Canada and Alaska, any time night or day, all week long, including weekends. There is no charge for your calling convenience features and there is twelve of them in all including voice mail, caller ID and call waiting just to name a few of them.

It’s all brand new digital technology that makes for faster, more expedient service with unbelievably clear reception on both ends of the phone line. If you are at all hearing impaired, then you will love making phone calls with the crystal clear reception.

Their all new broadband high speed cable internet service is also completely state of the art and with the new speed that it brings you can do so much more during the time that you spend on the internet. With speed that is one hundred times faster than standard dial up, no matter what you are shopping for on the net you will be able to scout out all of the best bargains. This is because websites pop right up instantly with the click of your mouse and moving among points of interest is that much faster also.

There is no need to worry about computer viruses with Comcast, because they provide all of their customers with the latest McAfee anti virus software with free lifetime upgrades as well. Your personal information is always secure also, because you get the latest technology in firewall protection from Comcast and it too is free of charge.

Comcast is still the leader in home entertainment for your TV set as well and cable will always be the most reliable source for your TV programming. With Comcast cable there is no need for any delicate and fickle electronics equipment to be mounted on your home, so you can always count on a perfect signal when you turn on your TV set.

Due to a recent complete upgrade of their entire service systems infrastructure, Comcast now carries a full two-hundred and seventy-five channels of programming for you to select from in a broad range of well blended programming packages. With Comcast’s bundled services you only receive one bill each month with one simple fee that covers all of your services and it doesn’t get any easier than that.

Cable TV has become an important source of news and entertainment and is constantly improving with technologies like HDTV Cable TV. Comcast has offered terrific cable TV services for many years, and they’re rightly famous for it. Comcast makes sure that its customers have access to new technology that improves the quality and speed of their services. They do all this while still providing the reliability they are known for. Not only does Comcast deliver digital cable, but offers other services as well. Comcast’s growing customer base can now enjoy flat rate VoIP phone, broadband internet, and digital cable TV services.

With Comcast’s digital cable TV, you will get crystal clear picture and sound. Digital technology is rapidly replacing the older analog TV signals. Digital television gives you maximum interaction with your TV. If you’re looking for crystal clear pictures and no interruptions on your TV, digital format for cable programming is the way to go. On-demand movies, local programming options, and HDTV programming are all available with Comcast Digital Cable TV. Satellite TV can’t hold a candle to this. Comcast Digital Cable TV will give you the best level of entertainment at the lowest costs. An electronic program guide, digital sound, movies, music and DVR digital receivers are the advanced features you want with a programming package

Information and Entertainment at the Speed of Thought with Broadband Internet From Comcast

To get the best entertainment on the market, you need cable TV and a high-speed Internet connection. Comcast high speed Internet service is much faster than dial-up, allowing you more time to spend on the Internet. Comcast is so fast that the entire household can be on line simultaneously over the same network and not bog each other down. The bonus equipment and features you get with a Comcast Internet connection will make using the Internet both faster and safer. You will receive a wireless router and cable modem with which you can connect your computer to the World Wide Web. The fastest available Internet access to residential customers is affordably priced. To save money and surf the net, Comcast’s broadband cable high-speed Internet service is a great choice.

No More Per Minute Charges When You Use Comcast Digital Phone Service with its Flat Rate Pricing

Comcast has great service plans for your phone, and compared to your current provider, you will have better features and substantial savings. Telephone service through Comcast Voice Over Internet Protocol is a service that allows you to have as many local and long distance calls as you may need. In addition, the standard features like call waiting, caller identification, call forwarding, and voice mail are included. A single monthly fee covers all of these services. You will have a complete telecommunications package with Comcast’s digital phone service and enjoy all the latest technology.

Broadband Internet and flat-rate phone services are provided by Comcast, along with Comcast’s legendary digital cable TV. Comcast leads the way in bundled services such as high speed Internet, home telephone, and cable television that meets your highest requirements! The largest cable company in the United States is Comcast, and is without a doubt the best choice for your telephone, cable, and broadband internet needs!

Cable TV has become part of our everyday lives, and HDTV Cable TV and other new technology makes it even better. Cable TV is usually associated with Comcast and they have been offering great services for a long time. Comcast makes sure that its customers have access to new technology that improves the quality and speed of their services. They do all this while still providing the reliability they are known for. What you may not know is that Comcast focuses on more than just outstanding digital cable. Comcast now offers digital cable TV, VOIP and broadband internet to its increasing customer base.

The Advantage of Comcast’s Digital Cable TV Service

Clear, crisp digital sound and picture are now possible with cable TV from Comcast. Because it’s more technologically advanced than analog signals, digital cable TV has become more widespread recently. You can interact with your TV to the greatest possible extent with digital television. Digital format for cable programming gives you crystal clear images without interference. On-demand movies, local programming options, and HDTV programming are all available with Comcast Digital Cable TV. Satellite TV can’t hold a candle to this. Comcast Digital Cable TV will provide you with the highest level of entertainment with the lowest level of costs possible. It has the advanced features that you want with a programming package, including the electronic program guide, digital sound, the most movies, music channels, and DVR digital receivers.

Information and Entertainment at the Speed of Thought with Broadband Internet From Comcast

You need to have High speed Internet along with cable TV to enjoy all the entertainment choices of today. High-speed Internet connection offered by Comcast does not slow you down like dial-up connections, and thus, you won’t have to limit your time on the Internet. Comcast is so fast that the entire household can be on line simultaneously over the same network and not bog each other down. Comcast offers special features and bonus equipment with their faster and safer Internet service. A wireless router is yours along with a cable modem to connect your computer to the Internet. Residential customers can get faster Internet service at a great price. You can save money and surf the Internet faster with Comcast broadband cable Internet service.

No More Per Minute Charges When You Use Comcast Digital Phone Service with its Flat Rate Pricing

Phone services offered through Comcast are excellent and provide savings and enhanced features compared to your current service plans. Telephone service provided by Comcast Voice Over Internet Protocol telephone service allows you to call local or long-distance numbers all you want. You will get voice mail, caller ID, call waiting, call forwarding, and other services you’ve come to expect. For a set monthly price, you get all of these services. Comcast digital phone service includes the most advanced telecommunications technology available.

Comcast now provides telephone and Internet service in addition to its cable services. Comcast leads the way in bundled services such as high speed Internet, home telephone, and cable television that meets your highest requirements! Comcast is the largest cable company in the US, and undoubtedly the best choice for your telephone, cable, and high speed internet!