Compare These Top Vendors for Telecommunications Business Solutions

Today's companies can't rely on run-of-the-mill business phone systems. The telecommunications business has gone beyond the multi-line consoles. When in the market for new telecommunications solutions, an important first step is to decide the specific features needed for your organization. From there, you will find many business telecommunications solutions that will meet your needs.

The telecommunications field has expanded from the multi-line operator consoles of the 1980s to Voice over IP (VoIP) in the 21st Century. It used to be sufficient for a company to purchase telecom business services that included a Private Branch Exchange (PBX) to handle multiple lines and other options such as an Auto Attendant. Now, with the introduction of the Internet, networks and fiber optics, business owners may feel lost in the ocean called Telecommunications System Services. To find your way out and get you on your way to setting up the right solution, here are a few things to consider:

1. The size of your company and the number of on-site and field workers.

2. Is most of your business done via the Internet and email? Do you have any existing hardware that can be upgraded and reused?

3. The size of the budget for your business telephone services.

Know the details of your workforce

Figure out what percentage of your staff works on-site and what percentage works in the field or telecommutes. This will help you find the telecommunications business solutions that are right for your situation, without paying for those features that aren't. Traditional PBX solutions work best in offices where most of their workforce is on-site.

Look into what is required to be able to get business telephone services you want

Today's complicated networks include more than just telephones. Computers have become one of the main forms of communication in business. With this shift comes the need for more complicated infrastructure such as networks and servers. If you conduct most of your business over the Internet and email and you already have an existing PBX, then the transition to using VoIP as your business telephone service should be quick and relatively painless.

Don't be talked into moving to a solution that doesn't fit your needs or your budget

Depending on the route you want to take, there may or may not be upfront costs associated with using VoIP. The most economical way to utilize VoIP is by using your existing phones and selecting a provider that uses dedicated lines that provide both voice and data transmission, also know as T1 lines.

• Specifically ask the business telecommunications solutions professional you are working with about any hidden added costs that may be associated with all the extra features you want.