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Learn about business phone networking

Your business can find lots of information about business phone networking. Check online sources and/or contact phone company representatives to learn about networking for existing telephone systems as well as the latest telephone networking solutions.

I recommend: Read the information provided by B2B-Exchange to start learning telephone networking basics. Also note the useful glossary of other business phone terms. Add to your team's understanding about telephone networks with recent and archived articles at ZD Net.

Consider VoIP for your business telephone networking

Voice-over-Internet Protocol (VoIP) is a recent innovation with great promise. Your business dedicates one or more high-speed Internet connections to your telephone network to carry voice signals. With software your company can even use existing routers, PBX and the rest of your standard phone system. The advantage? VoIP can reduce your phone costs, especially for switches and infrastructure.

I recommend: Study the literature about VoIP and its features and benefits at Habco Services Group. The information includes a graphic depiction of the system and a discussion of how it integrates into existing systems. Read more on integration and other elements of Microsoft VoIP telephone networking techniques.

Compare telephone networking services

In the highly competitive market of business phone networking, offerings differ among telephone networking companies. Some provide complete packages that include hardware and software, while others specialize in one or the other. Some provide solutions that use your existing system; other solutions replace it or work around it. Gather information to decide what approach is best for your business.

I recommend: Use All Options to compare systems, services and prices for telephone networking. Consult with Total Systems Integration to verify the capabilities for networking with your existing system.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  There are dozens of business telephone networking features available today. Let the scope of your business determine what ones you buy or contract for. Small businesses usually don't need all the services used by mega-companies.

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Leave telephone networking to the professionals

Telephone switching systems, the basic building blocks of telephone networking, usually require professional installation and support. Unless you have prior experience with business phone networking, call a professional.

I recommend: For more complex phone networking needs, make appointments with professional telephone networking companies. Discuss your requirements with them in detail and pick the best combination of features and price. BuyerZone offers a short questionnaire to get contacts for your area. Ready to tackle telephone system networking on your own? The University of Pennsylvania offers wiring and networking help. Inc provides details for businesses weighing smaller solutions while Nortel markets a full line of phone networking systems for larger needs.

Decide if a Voice-over-IP telephone networking solution is right for your business

Voice-over-IP (VoIP) is coming of age. This can be a great solution for both small and larger enterprises. If your business will have one or more dedicated high-speed Internet connections, VoIP could be right for you.

I recommend: Managed IP-Centrex solutions makes a lot of sense. Get network communication uptime statistics from potential local exchange companies or CLECs and verify your Internet access is stable; IP phone networks will be out-of-service if your Internet connection goes down. Any IP phone networking system must integrate seamlessly with a new or existing computer network.

Future-proof telephone system networking

Networking telephones is easy when wiring is already in place. Make sure the solution you select is flexible and will grow with your business. How many employees will you have a year from now? In 5 years?

I recommend: Where possible, use Category 5e or better wiring even for 2-wire phone extensions. Even if you decide to go with an older analog system now, consider future needs when making telephone system networking decisions. Kit Communications offers overhead paging and music-on-hold for your growing business. If your location will have any type of warehouse or outdoor work areas, wiring and equipment is needed to alert employees in these areas to customer calls.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Don't be oversold. Telephone networking companies love their technology and they want to sell you as much of it as possible. Buy only what you need.
• •  Use a telephone networking company to make connections between the phone company lines and your phone networking system. A little up-front money will save you in the long run.
• •  Ensure the installation agreement includes a full network communications test. Warranty or not, telephone networking services are not complete until everything works.

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Train for installing and repairing phone systems with a telephone networking company

A telephone networking company needs its employees to have specific skills for working with the network communications systems it installs, so many have their own training programs. A company's training process can teach basic and advanced skills for IT and IP networking for businesses.

I recommend: ASPE Technology offers online and on-site courses for IT and networking professionals who want learn to switch traditional telephone networks to VoIP networks. Cisco provides comprehensive training courses that teach how to switch telephone networks and provide the latest telephone networking technology for businesses.

Take college courses to learn telephone networking techniques

Because most businesses are switching from traditional phone networking to VoIP phone networking, a background in information technology and networking is an important skill. This training will provide you with the education necessary to work with both systems for a smooth transfer. You will also learn skills to repair and troubleshoot VoIP systems after initial installation.

I recommend: Montgomery College offers a host of Cisco training courses for those who want to work in IT and IP networking. The Telecommunicatons Industry Association offers a convergence certification that prepares telecom employees to upgrade old phone networking systems.

Learn telephone networking solutions through self-guided instruction

Though other venues get you hands-on training, taking online or video courses on telephone networking may be a convenient way to save time and money. These courses may also offer some type of certification.

I recommend: Teracom Training Institute offers DVD video courses that teach the basic and advanced skills needed to work with telephone networks and VoIP. NetCBT offers many self-guided online courses for IT and IP training, including voice and data cabling systems, the backbone of VoIP technology.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Because telephone system networking is now turning to the IT field for upgrades, it is good to have basic computer knowledge before you even begin training for networking.

Guide to Telephone Networking Key Terms

Consider telephone networking key terms to update your business phone system

By Kristan Hart

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VoIP, Voice Over Internet Protocol

VoIP, often called Voice Over IP, allows your business phone calls to be transferred over the Internet instead of over traditional phone lines. This technology provides numerous telephone networking features, often at a lower cost.

I recommend: Read about Voice Over Internet Protocol at the Habco Services Group website.

PBX, Private Branch eXchange

Private Branch eXchange, or PBX, is a great option for businesses that require multiple phone lines because you don't have to lease each individual line from the phone company. Instead, a PBX is a privately owned telephone switching system that fulfills a company's telephone networking needs.

I recommend: Read about PBX on the wiseGEEK website.

KSU-less telephone systems

If you're a business that requires ten telephone lines or less, KSU-less telephone systems are the way to go. It offers networking features and voice services appropriate for a small business without the hefty price tag.

I recommend: Read about KSU-less telephone systems on Resource Nation.

Key telephone systems

Key telephone systems, sometimes referred to simply as KTS, are similar to a PBX. The main difference is that key telephone systems require businesses to rely on the phone company for switching. However, a KTS does still offer telephone networking options appropriate for businesses of many sizes.

I recommend: Linktionary offers a definition of key telephone systems.

Centrex

Primarily used for voice services, Centrex allows your telephone networking equipment to be outsourced. All telephone switching and networking functions occur at an offsite location, so your business isn't responsible for the high cost of the equipment necessary.

I recommend: Centrex is explained on IP-Centrex.org.

IP-based networks

Your business can merge telephone services with data, radio and television using IP-based networks. This is a common way a business can obtain the necessary telephone networking features.

I recommend: Axis Communications offers a tutorial on IP-based networks on its website.