Compare These Top Vendors for Telephone Networking Hardware

Telephone hardware is no longer just handsets purchased from your local exchange provider. Options abound for telephone networking hardware, accessories and providers of phone networking equipment.

Information about phone networking equipment can be confusing. As a business owner, you need key details on telephone hardware and phone networking accessories in order to make cost-effective decisions. Use this guide to clear up the confusion and make informed decisions.

1. Unscramble the alphabet soup. PBX, Centrex, VoIP, MTA and other crazy terms muddy the phone networking equipment waters.

2. Decide on foundational phone networking hardware before gee-whiz features.

3. Select the right vendor to install equipment for phone networking.

Understand phone networking hardware from A-Z

A PBX (private branch exchange) is a telephone switch that reduces the number of outgoing phone lines needed for a business to about 10% of the total number of extensions. Centrex services are for businesses that don't want to maintain a PBX or key system. With Centrex, a fee is paid to the local exchange carrier so you can use their telephone networking hardware to provide four-digit dialing and other switching functions. VoIP (Voice-over-Internet-Protocol) offers telephone services that can significantly reduce telephone networking costs by using your broadband Internet connection. Examine VoIP but be sure and ask providers of phone networking equipment if you need an MTA (media terminal adapter). MTA and ATA (analog terminal adapters) are devices that let you use any regular phone with VoIP services.

Build in extras after deciding on the right phone hardware solution

It's an unfortunate truth that some sellers of phone networking equipment will coerce you into buying more telephone hardware than you really need. Decide ahead of time if you need to engage callers with extras like music-on-hold or educate them with information-on-hold. Dropped calls equal lost revenue in many businesses. Specify auto-attendant if you have high call volumes and can't afford missed calls; otherwise opt for a simple voice mail solution.

Choose recommended installation and maintenance providers for phone hardware

Unless your business has an internal department to handle telephone hardware installation and maintenance, you'll need a company to take care of that for you.

• Seek out local vendors selling equipment for telephone networking. Even if you don't buy from them, they're a great source of information.
• Look for bundled deals to save money. With telephone hardware, Internet access, building security and video services more connected now than ever, finding a provider that can deliver the whole package can lower your equipment and service costs.
• Make sure the telephones you have or buy are compatible with any new telephone networking hardware you install. Many systems only work with telephones from the same manufacturer.