9 Easy Steps to Choose your
next Telephone System

If you’re looking for a business telephone system that fits your company, simply answer the following questions and you'll be well on the way to finding the system that’s going to be just perfect for your needs.

Step 1: How many 'outside' (incoming/outgoing) lines will you want to connect initially?

Enter No.

Helpful Hints:   The number of outside lines you have determines how many simultaneous conversations/calls you can have in progress at any one time. Do not include any outside (incoming/outgoing) lines that will be used for faxes or EFTPOS, unless you intend using them for 'voice' calls as well.

Step 2: How many 'extension phones' will you need initially?

Enter No.

Helpful Hints:   The number of extension phones should include the operator, and also common type areas such as a conference room, kitchen or factory phone. There are different types of extension phones available including cordless phones, so include the total of all types of extension phones that you may require.

Step 3: Would any of the following features be of benefit to your operations - 'External Call Transfer'; 'Direct In-Dial'; 'Mobile Twinning'; 'Outgoing Caller I.D. Control'?

Yes     No     Maybe

Helpful Hints:   'External Call Transfer' enables you to transfer incoming answered calls 'off site' (e.g. to a mobile); 'Direct In-Dial' feature can save your Operator's time by allowing your customers and other outside parties to dial-in direct to the correct extension or 'group' of extensions; 'Mobile Twinning' enables your extension calls to ring at your desk and also on your mobile phone – if you answer on the mobile phone you can still transfer the call back to another office extension at no extra call charge on some systems; 'Outgoing Caller I.D. Control' enables you to choose which of your phone numbers is shown on your outgoing calls from each extension phone.

Step 4: When incoming 'outside' calls cannot be answered within a set time, would you like callers to hear an 'Auto Attendant' message to ".... please wait for the busy operator", or to "dial the required extension number" or 'group' of extensions e.g. ... "for Sales dial 1, for Accounts dial 2, for Service dial 3 .... " etc., and / or have the ability for 'extension phones' or 'extension groups' to be able to take 'Voice Mail' messages during the day and after hours?

Yes     No     Maybe

Helpful Hints:   Auto Attendant messages can be customised to your own requirements, and can substantially reduce an operator's time in answering calls. Voice Mail can take messages from customers or colleagues when an extension user is 'unavailable' or 'busy', and the extension user can usually retrieve these messages from anywhere in the world at their convenience.

Step 5: Would any of the following be required within the for-seeable future - 'Remote Extensions'; 'Networking Multiple Sites'; 'Unified Messaging'; 'Computer Integration'?

Yes     No     Maybe

Helpful Hints:    'Remote Extensions' allow you to have office extension phones at 'home' or 'branch' offices, usually with full functionality as if you were actually 'in the office', or you can have an extension on a 'PDA' style phone or a laptop computer; 'Networking Multiple Sites' enables seamless 'Intercom' and 'transfer' call ability to any site with no call charges - most systems also allow separate outside lines at the individual sites; 'Unified Messaging' can integrate the way you receive your messages - especially useful for mobile staff; 'Computer Integration' can provide you with the ability to make outward calls by clicking a phone number on your computer screen, or can provide a 'Screen Pop' of your incoming callers' details onto your computer screen before you answer a call. More info...

Step 6: Would you be interested in looking at ways of reducing your phone bills?

Yes     No     Maybe

Helpful Hints:    Overall call and line rental costs can be reduced in several ways - you can continue to use the best quality ‘Tier 1 Carriers' infrastructure, yet easily reduce your expenditure, with none of the normal hassles! Calls from the office to Mobile phones can be reduced by the installation of 'Fixed Mobile' Gateways, making these calls a 'mobile-to-mobile' call - sometimes these are 'free' calls; Business ‘VoIP' calls can also reduce all call-type charges including 'local', 'long distance' and calls to 'mobiles' More info....

Step 7: Would you like to have all your system extension phones 'Cordless', or have your 'Desk-top' office phones 'Wireless' (with full functionality) so you can move an extension in your office at any time?

Yes     No     Maybe

Helpful Hints:     Some systems now allow all your extension phones to be 'Cordless' for move-around convenience, and/or your Desk-top system integrated office phones to be 'Wireless', providing great flexibility for when you shift the office around or to cater for your 'temporary' requirements - this can save the need to call out a technician when you need to move an extension.

Step 8: Do you believe that any of the following advanced features would be of interest to you?

Automatic Call Distribution – where you have a ‘call centre’ to handle busy incoming phone traffic.
Computer Telephony Integration – where you can integrate your telephone and computer systems so that you can dial out using your customer database, and/or use the ‘Caller I.D.’ number information of the incoming caller so that the customer’s details are shown on your computer screen before you answer the call.
P.C. Attendant – where your operator can handle your telephone calls by ‘pointing and clicking’ just like ‘computer’ operations.
Unified Messaging – where you can access all your VoiceMail, Email and Faxmail through the one medium. This sophisticated software allows you to send or ‘hear’ emails over the phone, and keeps you informed of all types of messages received – with easy access to same.

Yes     No     Maybe

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"We've been helping customers in Western Australia find the 'right solution at the right price' for over 28 years - I guarantee you'll be impressed with our integrity and after sales service". Doug Black - Managing Director