The Australian government is imposing strict guidelines to telecommunications company both VoIP and traditional providers. In the most recent provisions the federal government made the ACMA or the  Australian Media and Communication Authority the sole body to ensure that these providers abide by the governments policies, improve the experience of consumers and more importantly protect the consumers.

The ACMA’s main role is to communication, facilitate and regulate. This will ensure that all office telephone system providers whether VoIP or not are complying to the rules and regulations to protect the consumers. Some of the most important aspects you need to look at especially if you are dealing with these telcos by phone or online are:

Privacy policy - The office telephone system provider’s website should have an easy to access privacy policy that should detail how you information is collected, used and stored. If there are any information that are being collected indirectly like the your IP address, search history and cache you should be informed by their privacy policy that these may or may not be collected whilst using their website or during the signup process.

Customer information - Another point that your provider’s website should is the customer information summary which should contain warranty guidelines, billing information, support and complaint management, instructions on to authorise a representative and the Financial Hardship Assistance Policy. All these info should be in an easy to access area of the website like the footer and should be as detailed as possible but easy to comprehend.

Critical information summary - This is one of the most important documents that should be made readily available by your provider and they should have one for each plans and or services that they are offering.. This document should detail the following description:

●     Description of the service
●     Terms of the service
●     Inclusions and exclusions of the service
●     Important conditions, limitations and restrictions of the service
●     A detailed billing information
●     Pricing details that should detail the setup cost, monthly charges and call rates
●     Support system and their contact details

Number portability - Another important factor that your telco should allow you to do is to port or telephone number or move your number from their premise over to another provider of your choice. This means that if you are no longer happy with their services you don;t need to spend thousands of dollars again to market your number but rather jyou can take it with you.

Detailed bill - The ACMA also requires telecommunication providers to provide a detailed bill the reflects the usage and its corresponding costs. Line rental charges should indicated and call charges should be detailed if the rates are on a per minute basis.

May provisions was released by the ACMA and these are just some of the most common. All of ACMA’s provisions are aimed in protecting the consumers, it is advisable that you check the body’s website first and know as many information as you can before signing up with a provider. This will ensure that you are spending your business money wisely. 

Business phone systems are an integral part of the day to day processes for small businesses. it is responsible for keeping the organization in the office and serves as the primary medium of communication to customers next to personal meetings. With that said it is just essential for small business to acquire the best possible phone system that will do the job whilst still keeping savings in the loop.

In you are now on a hunt for the best possible business phone system for you company then this little checklist will be very helpful for you so you can avoid costly mistakes and a possible disaster.

The cost – Obviously one of the biggest factors will be the cost. There are many business phone system providers out in the market today so it is rare that you won’t find one that fits your budget. Please bear in mind that cost is broken down into several factors firstly the initial setup charges that you need to pay, secondly the monthly fees and lastly is the maintenance that entails it if there are any.

The actual cost is not only the determining factor when it comes to cost. This may sound ironic but there are also other factors involved like the value for money and what exactly will you be getting. Take your car buying experiencing into account, cars have different price ranges and some maybe slightly more expensive because it offers more safety features or luxury to it. With that said, make sure that you consider all the other points below before you determine which is cost effective and which is not.

Capacity and flexibility – Another important factor is the capacity and flexibility of the phone system. By default, does it give you all the lines you need to accommodate all your phone calls? And does it give you the room to expand by adding more lines and extensions without having to upgrade or replace any hardware?

Features – A small business’ sword against the big companies in the market will be the ability to tender excellent customer service, support reliability and smooth overall processes. Phone system features like greeting messages, menu system, message bank and call forwarding options will you achieve this. Be sure to be very meticulous for all the features that comes by default and for the features that you can add later on as your business grows.

Reliability and service satisfaction rating - As a small business who relies on phones it is never acceptable to experience down time. 1 hour without phones could mean you losing profit or even worst bring your business into a shady position. It is then critical for you to do as many research as possible before buying a phone system and signing p with a provider.

Conduct a background check with the provider and just try go get a grasp how they operate and how reliable are their services are. You will easily find comments and suggestions into different forums but make sure that you use decent websites so you can acquire genuine and accurate feedback for real customers.

If you are now in the process switching from a traditional phone system to a VoIP office telephone system but is having problems deciding which type of phones you will use then this article will give you a clear overview of the pros and cons of each phones to help you decide which is best for your business.

IP handsets advantages

IP handsets are physical phones that you can use with your VoIP office telephone system. This is typically used by businesses because it offers the convenience of having a hard phone that is always readily available to receive and make phone calls. The main advantage of these phones will the convenience. IP handsets often have dedicated buttons so you can easily access the features of your VoIP office telephone system with just a press of a button.

Additionally, IP handsets typically have free programmable buttons that you can use to customise VoIP office telephone system. You can use it for monitoring, for call pickup features, speed dial and other features that will require such dedicated button.

Furthermore IP handsets are built with numerous technologies on it so it can typically maximise your bandwidth for optimum voice quality.

IP handsets disadvantages

Probably the only downside of IP handsets will be the fact that you need to purchase it making your VoIP swap over slightly more expensive than the other phone options.

Softphone Advantages

Softphones are software that you can install on your computer, tablets and smart phones to use VoIP. The main advantage of these phones is the fact that there are many free software in the market today that you can readily use with any VoIP provider and the licensed ones are cheaper than IP handsets.

Another advantage of softphones is the fact that you can install in almost any device, so you can have a central place to do your work. For an instance if your work involves the use of your computer or your mobile phone then you do not need to overthrow your workflow to use VoIP and have everything with one device.

Softphone disadvantages

The main drawback of the softphones would probably be the fact that it is installed on a computer and or a smart device. This means that you need to turn on your computer to receive a call or if your tablet’s or smart phone’s battery dies then you won’t be able to make or receive phone calls.

ATA advantages

ATA or Analog Telephone Adapters are devices that are used to connect analog phones to VoIP. The primary benefit of this setup is that it will be cheaper to buy than IP handsets and will not require a computer or a smart device to run eliminating the drawbacks of the two options. Also since you will be using a phone that you are already familiar with you no longer need to read manual to use it.

ATA disadvantages

Like the other two options ATA also has its own drawbacks. Firstly ATAs are not really designed to be a business solution. Thus, you will be limited to what your analog phone can do. This means that there is a good chance that you won’t be able to maximise what a VoIP office telephone can do and just have a simple VoIP phone.

Bear in mind that all options have their own pros and cons. It is advisable that you create a checklist which option will serve all your needs whilst minimizing all the downside that your business can face. Additionally, VoIP office telephone systems are very flexible this means that you can use any combination of the three options to meet your needs.

Many businesses have proven the cost effectiveness of SIP Trunking that enterprises small to medium are switching to this type of phone service as well. SIP trunks are more robust and cost effective than ISDN. SIP trunk is IP based and you get to use VoIP compatible features which your business could benefit, and saves you a lot of money.

With SIP Trunking, you can connect several telephone in one PBX system which could allow your system to make simultaneous calls without over spending. You can also have all your company branches to be linked under one line, allowing your employees to call long distance at a lower cost or sometimes free depending on your service provider. With SIP trunk you get to pay your monthly bandwidth consumption or trunk lines rented than paying for actual analog phones in traditional phone subscription. SIP Trunking can also enhance your business in so many ways. Among which is allowing you to keep your phone number even if you move your office to a different location. No need to pay for ongoing forwarding costs. If for instance you immediately need to transfer your office, this can be accomplished effectively with SIP Trunking.

Basically SIP trunk costs is  way lower than ISDN, with less call costs, free internal calls between extensions and offices including international calls and lower line rental costs. Plus no need to pay for call divert in the event of a disaster since you are using an IP based telephone system.

IP based phone systems use the internet to make VoIP or voice over internet protocol is possible. It requires  high speed internet service to make sure your VoIP service will operate. Bandwidth is divided so make sure to allot a good amount of bandwidth for SIP Trunking alone.  The initial benefit a cost savings were more on SIP Trunking costs, long distance usage, and local calling usage costs. Others include centralized call routing which allows increased flexibility of staff.

Networks savings is the number one advantage of SIP Trunking. But beyond this, there are more. Features that not only saves you money but also generate more businesses to every endeavor. But it is only right to take your chance in SIP Trunking. If you want to save more on your phone consumption, especially if your type of business is the one that uses the telephone all the time. Then it's time to switch to an IP based phone system and subscribed o SIP Trunking. You will be guaranteed with great savings and high percentage rate in less than a month.

In a fast moving day and age, where time is essential and business transactions are imperative. It’s but only right to choose equipment that can augment the communication needs of a company may it be big or small.

Many businesses secret to success are not only hard work, but also being able to deliver the work properly and on time. Communications solutions have enabled the office telephone system to become an important tool for a company. One query answered is considered one successful business deal. The new style of battling in a very competitive business world is being ably equipped yourself with the good communication system.

Studies are made that a good society cannot simply exist to manpower alone, or on how good and accommodating the staff are or how good the managers are, usually every business exists and excels because of how well they can deliver their services. VoIP office telephone system had proven how effective and beneficial it can be if being used in a company especially in achieving its goal to win.  That’s where a good office telephone system comes in… communication is easier, helps you manage your company well, it can make you improve your call handling and customer relation, transactions can be done right away and work can be done efficiently.

Though there is a lot of an office telephone system to choose from. Depending on your company needs should you base your type of subscription. If you want either mobile, VoIP or the usual analog phones. However, it is, office telephone is important in growing your business.

Some would question the Office Telephone system effectively. Many are still skeptical about it; one thing is assured that this never gets outdated. Its efficiency and capacity in communication never abate. It is always reckoned as one of the company’s assets especially in achieving good results, Never becomes obsolete, in fact it is widely used not only by big business like hotels and malls, it is also employed by hospitals, airport, restaurants or whatever business that you can think of. It doesn’t classify social classes nor measures how big or small a business, or how young or old the entrepreneurs are.

Office telephone system’s has great advantages that although we are already living in a contemporary world where everyone had their own mobile and that everything is just one click of a finger, office telephone still rise above it as is the number one arm in communication; because of its cost saving, easy  maintenance, efficient and reliable fast. It is unlike mobile phone that needs to be charged or computers that needs Internet connections. Office telephone plays a very vital role, for it makes communication easy breezy, No hassle and no fuzz.

Working in an office for a very long time, you might sometimes think which among your office equipment your company can't stand without? Many may unitedly say “the office telephone” or the office telephone system. Turned out to be the most efficient marketing strategist and the most useful system in an office setting, the office telephone is often not given such importance by most companies before. The office telephone plays a heavy role in establishing your business grow an unexpected income. Depending on how you use it or what type of office telephone system do you have.

An IP based office telephone could bring your business more that you could imagine. By making sure of having all the right features, an IP based office telephone system could bring your business to the top. Most companies are taking for granted the capacity of an office telephone in growing their business. Most of them depended on publicity and the usual streamers and ads. But they haven't tried the telemarketing style yet. The typical office telephone system (talking about analog phones) could dial one number at a time, using one equipment. The IP based phone system can in fact dial ten to twenty numbers simultaneously using the same phone number from different equipments. You might be wondering how is that possible? With the help of hosted PBX and SIP Trunks.

Together an IP phone based office telephone system could be more powerful than an expensive tv advertisement. Using your tools correctly, you can improve your Return of investment in a month. And by mastering the features of the IP based office telephones, you can definitely earn more. Features like call re route could allow your company to receive after office hours calls, taking note of your customers request and still doing business even outside the actual office premise. You can designate one person to strike all after office hours calls and re route all calls to a specific number both you and your employees can access.

The call logs rosters are also available allowing every company owner to track down every employee time record. In this way they can plan on how to make everyone productive by checking on which hour are they receiving a great number of calls and which hours aren't. The ability to connect to even your home phone is amazing, IP based phone system is actually ideal for not only in an office setting but also to big corporations and organizations allowing you to connect worldwide. Truly amazing, this office telephone can make life easier for both company owners and employees. Embracing new technology at this trying time is risky, but if proven to make your company grow, it's worth the risk after all.

Since the phone was invented, it has become the most "in" thing to people with high rank in the company. From the Baron and Baroness, kings and queens, every castle and household of famous people always receive the latest phone systems. There used to be the "black candlestick phone" they call it. That frazzle almost everyone in the house when it rings.

This is a secure communication device, but you cannot hide conversations with this type of phone system, beside the fact that this is far too tall to handle. You cannot keep it in a cabinet or something. You just let it stand on your table like a microscope, imagine ten of that ringing consistently. You may not know which one to pick and what to do. As the years and probably decades passes, business phone systems have added more feature, changing its designs and usability.

A complex and more convenient phone system that works not just as a telephone but also goes like a messenger, connecting several lines, allowing connections worldwide in clear and crisp reception, as if you're talking to someone from the other room.  But you have to recognize that the evolution of these phone system was never easy. Technicians and telecommunication companies were having difficulty and tried their best in researching the best possible way they can serve everyone in the world. Cables and wires, boxes, data centers, fiber optics, all these and more were used.

Each telephone company is competing as to who can provide the best service. The problem though with old analogue phone systems is that all wires are too thick, giving that congested untidy look. You have to make room for wires alone. This is not a good deal especially if you're feeding a big company and more telephones are required to be put in. Though later, skinny wires were invented replacing the fat cables, it still uses up space and dangling wires are not a good sight in an immaculate office room. Soon virtual connections were developed, as technology grows, evolved and innovates.

The birth of VoIP has become an answer to many businesses and enterprise. In fact, these giant corporations were the first ones to try VoIP. It was introduced a few years back, but it was recently that there are more than a hundred offices and businesses used this phone system. Today, nearly all organizations are utilizing the convenience of VoIP.

This is the result of numerous studies of each and every engineer and technicians; this is exactly what telephone inventors imagined it to be. Today as we are enjoying our very own residential phone systems, we can only say thank you, to those who made the effort in transforming the telephone system. Aren't we just glad we don’t have the black candlestick phone system anymore? Think about it.

Finding the right business phone system is never easy. There are so many existing business phone systems in a variety of configurations. All you have to do is find the appropriate business phone system that would suit your company needs.

Whether you're a small or large business or enterprise, you need to have an innovative business phone system. And one of the most advance phone system is run by an Internet Protocol network. Many of the growing businesses today uses this IP network as their phone system, allowing them to connect employees, some information resources and office devices which can be useful to your company.

There are many things to consider in implementing and deploying a new business phone system.  Analyze what your company needs. If you are running a small business, with few employees but have several branches in different location, an IP based phone system would be ideal. The ability to unite all employees from different branches into one network is possible in this type of phone system. Prioritize the features you need and discuss it with your service provider.

If you want to have one phone number that simultaneously rings on multiple devices can be arranged. Ask your workers which tools do they need so you can have it arranged for their specific needs. Some of the features you need to consider are soft phones (using the computer as a phone), video and audio conferencing, automated attendant, integrated with the customer, unified messaging, voice mail and so much more. Some service providers set a separate price for these features. Yet usually these services should be a part of the package bundle you should be receiving. It doesn't mean you read several articles on IP phone system then you'll decide on getting one. Always ask for advice from people or enterprise who is currently using this system and learn from their experience. Embrace the change in technology and inform your employees about the new arrangement.

Deliver training and hands on tutorial on how these business phone plans could make them rich by spending less on the telephone than the usual. There are several things they can do with the system that could make their job done in less than an instant. Tracking call logs can be tiring but with the new IP phone system, you can have it managed plus you can have it integrate with other branches, so you can only accept a few people to handle it instead of hiring one person per branch. And lastly, talk to your service provider as to how you can avail of a discount and avail package to save more money. This IP service can definitely help your business if you know how to handle it well. Choose the right provider and equipments to enjoy your business phone plan.

Choosing the right office telephone system is not easy. There are so many things to consider and so many options to choose from. If you have a business, carrying a big corporation or a plain employee and one of your responsibilities is to choose the right office telephone system for your company, then this article might help you. Here are the top five considerations in selecting an office telephone:

1.       Analyze what your company needs.

In selecting an office telephone system, consider your company needs. Does your office require multiple connections? Is voicemail necessary? What about voice conferencing? It is best to research and check on the things that your company need in an office telephone. Also consider checking on the features of an office telephone system you’re eyeing to get. Find out if it fits your company needs and if your business will benefit from it.

2.       Look for Bundles and Packages.

If you want to save big on your monthly phone bills check out the bundles that a service provider offers. Always check out the best deals, the lower the call rates the better it is for your company. If you can find an internet and telephone bundle at a lower monthly rate it would be better. For an office telephone VoIP system is ideal. It is powered by internet, therefore monthly rate would only depend on the bandwidth you’re subscribing and not on the number of telephones you own.

3.       Get VoIP or Voice over Internet Protocol based Telephone system.

As I have mentioned, VoIP is powered by internet, meaning you can do a lot of things besides incoming and outgoing calls. If you want to make use of all the features of an ideal office telephone like video conferencing, sms, chat, PC-to-PC calls, simultaneous outgoing calls, and so forth; then consider becoming an IP phone system.

4.       Mobility

Let just say features and functions of a mobile phone, analog phone and the internet rolled into one. This breakthrough phone system gives you an option to make all calls redirected to your mobile phone or home phone if a client called after business hours. This feature allows you and your employees to connect wherever you are, creating a good working relationship which is obviously good for whatever business.

 

5.       Return of Investment Fast!

Being mobile allows you to not lose an important client call. Meaning, even after business hours you still work on getting more investors and converting more earnings. With the great saving you get from subscription and the ability to re-route callers to any mobile or working phone, this will give you an increase of 35%-50% turnover within a month. See, choosing an office telephone system could be a bit crucial to your business, so think and choose wisely!

As high speed internet becomes cheap, increasing number of businesses and enterprise ditching their old traditional phones and jumping off to VoIP as their office telephone. Significantly affordable than the traditional phone lines the hype over VoIP makes it sound like a magic. It is flexible, cost effective (low call rates) and full featured.

If you’re looking for a hosted service, VoIP is pretty simple. All you need is VoIP ready equipment, and then the service provider will do all the rest. From delivering calls to your phone and software clients your service provider can handle all that. No need for additional on-site hardware besides your phones, you just need a little space for the small box (enclosure). Though VoIP is as perfect as it sounds, there are certain things you need to consider before making VoIP your official office telephone system.

Maintaining a self-hosted onsite VoIP system requires a private branch exchange IP (IP based) like PBX phone system for example. Used by many offices, this VoIP friendly system route your calls to the appropriate phones on your network and to PSTN gateway. PSTN gateway converts analog signals to digital. You can ask your provider on how to encrypt your VoIP for a more secure phone usage. This type of office telephone just need a little tweaking for more advanced options which requires accessing your service provider's online account interface.

Using VoIP could cost your company next to nothing especially if you already have an infrastructure in place. The more concurrent users you have, the more bandwidth you need. If you work from home or if you only have few employees, you won’t have to worry much. VoIP is one good office telephone. Your capacity to call simultaneously normally lies on your service provider.

VoIP consumes at approximately 64kb of data every second you talk. You can actually use chat on VoIP without having to worry about hitting your bandwidth caps, but make sure to keep close tabs on your data usage to avoid over spending on exceeding cap.