Cisco Small Business Telephone Systems

Small business telephone systems are available in a variety of configurations, offering an ever-growing range of features and benefits. The most advanced small business telephone systems today run on Internet Protocol (IP) networks—the same network many small businesses use to connect employees, devices and information resources.

But how do you choose among all the small business telephone systems currently available? And what's the best way to deploy a phone system for your company?

There are many things to consider when evaluating and implementing small business telephone systems.

1. Understand what your users need. Small business telephone systems can give workers the tools they need to be efficient. Does your workforce need easy access to rich-media conferencing tools? Do workers need one phone number that simultaneously rings on multiple devices? It's important to know which tools your workforce needs, so you can choose wisely among the many small business telephone systems. Among the features and capabilities to consider are:
   • Videoconferencing
   • Mobile softphones, for using a computer as a phone
   • Automated attendant
   • Paging and intercom
   • Presence technology--the ability to quickly identify who within your organization is available at any given moment, as well as the best way to reach them
   • Wireless IP phones, enabling workers to access data and be easily reachable, even as they roam about a sales floor, warehouse, or other location
   • Integration with a customer relationship management (CRM) system
   • Unified messaging, with notifications by e-mail, text message, or phone
     
     
     
     
2. Be prepared for change. Today's small business telephone systems enable workers to do things that were not possible before, and that can change how daily business transactions are conducted. For example, using wireless IP phones, your sales floor staff can quickly check if an item is in stock in your warehouse, without ever having to leave a customer's side.
   
   
   
   
3. Talk to your trusted advisor. Consult with your local service provider to ensure that your phone system's features and capabilities will meet your company's short- and long-term business goals.