Today, there are many more features available in the phone systems that are designed for businesses than ever before. One important decision you will be faced with when purchasing a system is choosing between analog and digital phone systems. The decision you make should be based on the exact needs of your company. Your method of communication is the key to your success, making it important to choose a system with which you are most comfortable.
New Technology
Many businesses find themselves relying on the analog phone system simply because it is what they have always known. For companies that require nothing more than the basic features, such as, redial, speaker phone, hold and extension transfer, an analog phone might suffice. For most businesses today, though, this is not enough. They require more sophisticated features, such as voice mails delivered to an email inbox, hold music, call forwarding and a desktop client to name a few. For these businesses, a digital phone is essential.
Flexibility
If you expect your business to expand anytime in the future, it is well worth investing in digital phone systems. With analog systems, you have to pay for costly changes and repairs that greatly add up over time. A digital system can typically be handled through a remote interface that requires no downtime or waiting on your part. All you have to do is either make the changes yourself or contact your provider to elicit the changes for you. This makes moving, changing or adding extensions much easier than with an analog system.
Consider Your Visions
If you have always planned on keeping your business small with only one or two employees and the phone capabilities you find in most homes are acceptable, an analog system will suffice. If you see your company expanding, adding on employees and soliciting more sales, then it is in your best interest to invest in digital. Even if your up-front costs to have the new system installed are higher, over time the increase in efficiency, productivity and profits will be well worth the initial costs.
If you are determining whether your business should stick with its analog phone or make the leap of faith to digital phone systems, you need to look at your company’s needs. Digital phones have a large number of benefits to offer small businesses, acting as more than a phone but as a means to effective communication internally, as well as with customers and vendors.