By: Joe Goertz
The most unique feature of today’s phone systems is that they link phone,
computer and fax into one integrated package. Many businesses do this by installing their own
wiring, called CAT5e, instead of using the old phone company cables.
All systems begin with the basic ability to send and receive local and long-distance calls
world wide. Common features include call waiting, call forwarding, remote access, and caller ID.
For business applications, phones must offer more. Perhaps one of the most useful features is the
auto-attendant. When customers call in, they hear an automated menu of options. This may include
instructions to press particular numbers to reach divisions within the business (press 1 to reach
sales, press 2…etc.). Menus can be set up to automatically change after regular hours and on the
weekends.
To avoid customers feeling as if they have been dropped into space while on hold, most
systems have music on hold features. More sophisticated systems can allow different types of music
to be programmed for different types of customers.
When the call is moved from the switch board to an employee, other features are important.
The system should provide unlimited extensions. Each extension should have a message created by the
employee that comes on when there is no one available to answer the phone. As well, there should be
a means of identifying callers (caller ID), saving messages (voice mail), forwarding calls when the
employee is at another desk, and sending calls when the employee is out of the office. Of
particular value is the “hot desk” feature. This allows employees to move from desk to desk, taking
their calls and voice mail with them.
To handle both voice and data transmissions, phone systems must have dedicated lines for
each. A voice T1 system allows for 24 channels per phone line with 24 separate numbers. T1s are
also used for Internet access. Internet download and upload speeds vary depending on the equipment
used. Integrated T1 systems carry both voice and data on one line. VoiP (Voice over Internet
Protocols) is a system for using the Internet to carry phone calls. There are a number of
advantages to VoiP, including the ability to plug into the internet and make free calls from
anywhere in the world.
It is essential that the phone system be able to handle conference calls. The proper phone
bridge permits an unlimited number of internal participants and as many external callers as there
are phone lines. Some systems even have the capability for handling unlimited external callers.
With video conferencing more popular, phone lines can be used to carry both voice and video images.
There are many different systems available, and each one of them offer its own array of
features especially suited for today’s companies. Most can be easily upgraded with new
components.The most unique feature of today’s phone systems is that they link phone, computer and
fax into one integrated package. Many businesses do this by installing their own wiring, called
CAT5e, instead of using the old phone company cables.
All systems begin with the basic ability to send and receive local and long-distance calls
world wide. Common features include call waiting, call forwarding, remote access, and caller ID.
For business applications, phones must offer more. Perhaps one of the most useful features is the
auto-attendant. When customers call in, they hear an automated menu of options. This may include
instructions to press particular numbers to reach divisions within the business (press 1 to reach
sales, press 2…etc.). Menus can be set up to automatically change after regular hours and on the
weekends.
To avoid customers feeling as if they have been dropped into space while on hold, most
systems have music on hold features. More sophisticated systems can allow different types of music
to be programmed for different types of customers.
When the call is moved from the switch board to an employee, other features are important.
The system should provide unlimited extensions. Each extension should have a message created by the
employee that comes on when there is no one available to answer the phone. As well, there should be
a means of identifying callers (caller ID), saving messages (voice mail), forwarding calls when the
employee is at another desk, and sending calls when the employee is out of the office. Of
particular value is the “hot desk” feature. This allows employees to move from desk to desk, taking
their calls and voice mail with them.
To handle both voice and data transmissions, phone systems must have dedicated lines for
each. A voice T1 system allows for 24 channels per phone line with 24 separate numbers. T1s are
also used for Internet access. Internet download and upload speeds vary depending on the equipment
used. Integrated T1 systems carry both voice and data on one line. VoiP (Voice over Internet
Protocols) is a system for using the Internet to carry phone calls. There are a number of
advantages to VoiP, including the ability to plug into the internet and make free calls from
anywhere in the world.
It is essential that the phone system be able to handle conference calls. The proper phone
bridge permits an unlimited number of internal participants and as many external callers as there
are phone lines. Some systems even have the capability for handling unlimited external callers.
With video conferencing more popular, phone lines can be used to carry both voice and video images.
There are many different systems available, and each one of them offer its own array of
features especially suited for today’s companies. Most can be easily upgraded with
new
components.
Article source: http://www.articlecube.com/Article/Features-Of-The-Modern-Business-Phone-Systems/44929
