Which Business Telephone System?
With many different options available, it can be difficult to know which business telephone system to choose. The type of system that you opt for will depend on a number of factors such as the size of your business, your budget, the number of employees you have and your usage requirements. In this article, we consider the different types of telephone systems available to help you decide which system is best suited to your business.
KSU – Less
Best suited to:
- Very small businesses
- Minimal requirements from a telephone system
- Limited budget
The most basic telephone system available is a KSU – Less. These systems are incredibly simple; in order to operate, they don’t require the cost and installation of a central control unit or KSU. With only the most basic features you would expect from a telephone system, a KSU – Less system is only really suitable for those with minimal requirements. Because they only support 2-4 lines, they are best suited to very small businesses with just a few employees. However, these systems are highly mobile because the technology is retained in the actual phones, rather than being permanently wired into your infrastructure. This makes them extremely portable. KSU – Less systems tend to be much lower in cost than most alternatives, but if you choose this system, you will most likely have to handle all of the sourcing, installation, programming and maintenance yourself. Also, these systems don’t allow room for expansion, so may not be the best option if your business is likely to grow significantly.
KSU
Best suited to:
- Small businesses that require room for expansion
- Small to medium sized businesses with between 5-40 employees
- Limited budget
KSU (Key System Unit) is a multi line telephone system that takes its name from the central switching device that it uses. As one of the most basic systems available, KSU systems provide all of the standard features you would expect. Newer models also offer some features that are more advanced. Unlike KSU – Less systems, they do offer scalability; as your business grows, you will be able to extend the system and add features according to your needs.
PBX
Best suited to:
- Medium to large businesses with more than 40 employees
- Advanced requirements
- Moderate budget
PBX (Private Branch Exchange) systems are much more advanced than KSU/Less systems. They are powered by a central PBX cabinet and offer peace of mind with business continuity due to an uninterruptable power supply. A PBX system can easily be integrated with other technologies and it is possible to program it to connect with your existing office configurations, which could save you a significant amount of money on the cost of installation. PBX systems are flexible, they come with many advanced features as standard and there are many additional features available too. So, you can extend and customise the system to suit the changing needs of your business as it grows. Therefore, PBX systems are highly scalable and can cater for the complex needs of large businesses. You will typically pay more for a PBX system than a KSU system, but the gains in terms of flexibility and features make PBX a cost-effective option.
VoIP
Best suited to:
- Businesses of all sizes
- Advanced requirements
- Requires a fast and reliable internet connection
VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) is the latest revolution in business communications that is rapidly growing in popularity. VoIP lines offer an alternative to conventional business telephone lines, allowing voice calls to be made over the internet. To make VoIP calls, you can purchase a special VoIP phone, use a computer and a headset or connect a traditional phone to an adapter. VoIP is a more powerful and cost-effective solution than most alternatives. Providing you have a decent internet connection, a VoIP system will deliver excellent voice quality. A whole range of advanced features come with VoIP at no additional cost, and call charges can be significantly lower. VoIP systems can support any number of users and are easily extended as your business grows. You have the option to own and manage the equipment yourself or you can opt for a hosted solution, where a provider houses and maintains all of the equipment for you.