Phone systems are an important part of any small business or enterprise. You can get a wide range of mobile and calling services including data, fiber cabling, voice, wireless access points, CCTV, and more which are all important aspects of communication.

If you’re not entirely sure about what kind of service you need or if you should get a full phone system, the following is a brief guide on what each available option entails. Note that at any time, you can replace a traditional phone line with VoIP and save between 20-50% on your monthly phone bill.

Virtual Phone Systems

There are virtual phone systems that connect calls made to a main business phone number to remote workers and therefore work as a robust call-forwarding solution. They have features like voicemail, automated receptionists, call screening and forwarding, online faxing, and toll-free numbers. These systems allow businesses to employ remote workers and stay professional as the system gives the workers access to features not available on home and mobile phones.

Traditional Landlines

There are also traditional landlines which are analog systems and are generally supported by local or regional phone companies. If you pick this option, you need private branch exchange hardware which can create multiple extensions and provide features like call transferring. These are, however, being phased out and so it may be hard to find a provider and to repair if issues arise.

VoIP Systems

The third and final type is VoIP phone systems which run on internet connectivity as opposed to copper wires like landlines. They provide features like call queues, automated attendants, computer-integration, and more, giving remote workers access to the company’s phone system from any device with internet connectivity. This type of phone system is easy to set up and configure, is affordable, and offers plenty of features while only relying on your existing internet connection.

With VoIP systems, you can either self-host by buying the equipment and setting it up yourself, or you can rent the equipment from your service provider so they host your services in the cloud. This second option is great as you don’t have to perform maintenance of physical systems.

Communication and presentation are big parts of how your business or organization is perceived whether you are in the retail, hospitality, education, or healthcare industry, to name a few. Make sure to choose a good option for your phone services depending on your scale, budget, and other needs.