PHONE SYSTEMS: 11+ Phone Systems for any Business & All You Need

Your business phone system is unquestionably one of the most crucial aspects of your business operation. Even if your company communicates with customers via email, text messaging, social media, and a website, nothing beats the direct and personal connection that a phone call provides with effective phone systems.

However, selecting the best business phone systems necessitates careful analysis. A phone system that will benefit your business today and in the future is well worth the money you spend on it.

For every organization, the best business phone systems make it simple to set up and administer feature-rich office phone systems.

Also, the transition to cloud services has changed businesses phone systems. Allowing small organizations to access telecoms technologies previously only available to large businesses.

In actuality, there is a lot more going on behind the scenes to ensure that the millions of office phones around the world are working properly and reaching their calling destinations.

As you read on, you will learn about the various phone systems for any business.

Phone Systems

A phone system is a communications platform that uses an internet connection to handle your business calls. It allows users to accept and make calls via a desktop app, a mobile phone, or a desk phone.
You can utilize your existing hardware to function anywhere, unlike traditional phone systems that only work in one location. You can make and receive phone calls if you have an internet connection.

The most common motivation for businesses to migrate their phone systems to the cloud is to take advantage of the enhanced features that only a virtual phone system can offer. It helps businesses of all sizes to increase productivity and expand their workforce.

For users, the phone system maintains a scalable communications infrastructure. Phone system providers companies provide users with a scalable communications infrastructure.

They offer additional capabilities such as SMS text messaging, business phone numbers, and voicemail transcription in addition to the VoIP phone service.

In sum, a virtual phone system is a low-cost solution to connect your complete workforce.

Business Phone Systems

Large and small businesses alike can use business phone systems to manage their inbound and outbound calls. Business phone systems differ greatly from home phone systems in terms of functions. The phone system should be able to handle several calls at the same time and transfer calls throughout the company.

The following features may be found in today’s commercial phone systems:

Multiple lines: Allowing employees to switch between calls allows them to better manage high call volume times. The number of lines required for your business phone is determined by the size of your company. Small firms can usually get by with two to four lines of communication.

Auto-attendant: With a business phone line, callers can be greeted by an automated attendant who will direct them to the appropriate personnel.

Visual voicemail: More than just storing recorded messages is possible with voicemail systems for business phones. They can transcribe the voicemail and transmit it via email or text message to the employee.

Conference calls: Meetings can be scheduled over the phone, and several callers can participate in the conference call. This is a must-have tool for companies with remote workers.

Call forwarding: Calls can be redirected to a different phone number or even an email address as needed.

On-hold messages: You can record a message informing people who are on hold that their call will be returned as soon as possible. You might also play music for the caller while they wait over the phone.

How to choose the best phone system for your business?

Before purchasing a new phone system for your business, there are several considerations to make. You need to look at the most up-to-date technology available to businesses today, as well as things like initial capital costs and monthly costs that keep coming back.

What are the Four Major Phone Networks?

Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and Sprint are commonly referred to as the “Big Four.” A mobile virtual network operator is any carrier that is not one of the four majors (MVNO). MVNOs are small carriers that operate on one or larger networks.

What are Examples of Phone Systems?

Self-hosted VoIP.
Cloud-based VoIP.
Hybrid phone systems
Landline phone systems.
Mobile networks.
Virtual phone services.

What are the two Different Phone Systems?

Multiple lines can be used with both traditional and cloud-based phone systems. There are several distinct phone systems, and you should be familiar with their distinctions.

Phone Systems for Small Business

Here are 11 phone systems for any business:

Google Voice
CallHippo
8×8
GoToConnect
Vonage
Phone.com
Grasshopper
Ooma office
Aircall
Avaya OneCloud
Nextiva

#1. Google Voice

Google Voice is a scalable VoIP business phone system that is simple to set up. It also provides free domestic and international calling within the United States and Canada, as well as free international calling to the United States.

Voicemail transcription, Google Calendar integration, Hangouts Meet integration, call forwarding, and usage and activity reporting are also available with Google Voice.

#2. CallHippo

CallHippo is one of the most widely used virtual phone systems for making high-quality calls. Call queuing, call transfer, conference calling, call forwarding, and other basic services are included.

This company phone system offers a simple web-based administration that makes managing calls, adding new users, and other tasks a breeze. You may further increase CallHippo’s functionality by integrating it with other services you already use, like Slack, Zoho CRM, Zapier, Zendesk, and others.

#3. 8×8

8×8 is a popular and low-cost business phone service. All of the typical functions are included, including number sharing, automated call attendance, call forwarding, chat, SMS, and more. However, some of the advanced capabilities offered by other top VoIP services on our list are missing from 8×8.

#4. GoToConnect

Another fantastic phone systems solution for small businesses is GoToConnect. It’s a completely integrated phone system for phone, meeting, and messaging communication.

You’ll constantly be in touch with your staff and consumers using GoToConnect. The software is simple to install and use, and it allows you to make calls from any location.

You can also engage in face-to-face conferencing for a more personalized experience.

GoToConnect is the right tool for running a more effective help desk. Because it gives you real-time analytics dashboards, supervisor access for training, and the option to sign in and out of allocated queues at the same time.

#5. Vonage

In the United States and Canada, Vonage is a plug-and-play VoIP service that delivers unlimited calling and SMS text messages.

Unlike the majority of the other carriers on this list, Vonage charges extra for toll-free numbers. However, Vonage has a crazily large feature set from which to pick, allowing you to build the ideal business phone system for your needs.

#6. Phone.com

Phone.com is a low-cost VoIP provider that includes features such as call waiting, call forwarding, voicemail, caller ID, call queuing, text messaging, and more. In addition, with all plans, you can select at least one local or toll-free number.

This is the ideal business phone service for you if you’re interested in analytics. You won’t be disappointed with Phone.com because it features caller analytics, which displays demographics, social profiles, and other information about your callers. It also has a simple and app-based administration system that makes management a joy.

While Phone.com’s base plan is one of the most affordable, you’ll have to pay extra for some of the more advanced services.

#7. Grasshopper

For small business owners, Grasshopper is a popular phone system. It includes all of the necessary functions, such as call transfers, incoming call control, simultaneous call management, custom greetings, voicemail, and so on.

Outgoing calls can be made using Grasshopper’s mobile or desktop apps, and there is no limit to the number of minutes you can use. To administer your phone system, both the web-based and app-based portals are simple to use.

#8. Ooma office

Ooma Office is an internet-based business phone service that seeks to provide small businesses with a big company phone experience.

It may not have all of the bells and whistles that some VoIP providers do, but it markets itself as a solution for smaller businesses on a lower budget, and it is well-positioned in this regard.

For a relatively low monthly fee per user, a lot of functionality is available. There’s no fuss because you get all the services with just one subscription plan, and the system is very simple to set up and use.

#9. Aircall

Aircall is yet another cloud-hosted corporate phone system that can be set up in a matter of minutes. This gives your company a complete communications centre solution for phone calls, video conferencing, and messaging from a web, desktop, or mobile device.

Aircall also makes it simple to set up a call centre in minutes, with a variety of CRM, help desk, and productivity features to help you do it, as well as improve how your sales and support personnel manage calls, including transferring and approaching consumers. There’s also an analytics suite to assist assess efficiency, track KPIs in workflows, and search for methods to improve, as expected.

#10. Avaya OneCloud

Avaya OneCloud is Avaya’s most recent unified communications service, superseding the company’s previously successful IP Office platform and expanding its existing Avaya IX Workplace and Contact Center offerings.

The service seeks to create a genuinely scalable solution utilizing whichever cloud solution you like. Avaya OneCloud can easily function through a public cloud for small and medium-sized organizations who are happy to rely on third-party suppliers, ensuring you get ongoing service and don’t have to worry about software upgrades or IT buy-ins.

A conventional Avaya OneCloud or a customized solution under the OneCloud ReadyNow service can be put up for enterprise firms that already have a private or hybrid cloud service. Any required server hardware can either be installed on-premises or hosted in one of Avaya’s data centres.

#11. Nextiva

The greatest business phone service on the market is Nextiva. It provides a user-friendly and powerful VoIP business phone solution. Furthermore, there is no need for an annual commitment, and Nextiva is simple to set up.

Unlimited calling, auto-attendant, powerful call management, voicemail to email and text, and more are all included with this VoIP company. With any of their plans, you’ll also get a free toll-free number.

It comes with a simple web-based admin interface that makes managing your company communications platform simple, no matter what your demands are. Other calling options offered by Nextiva include CRM tools, live chat, online surveys, and more.

Types of Phone Systems

Here are the three major types of business phone systems:

Key system units
Private branch exchange
Voice over Internet Protocol

Key system units

The key business telephone system, which uses the key system unit, is the simplest basic phone system. Because of the constraints on the number of phone lines, it can accommodate, this type of system is only suited for small firms with no more than 40 employees working as phone operators.

It’s a simple system that works similarly to a house phone. It contains all of the essential functions that a business requires, but it lacks portability and flexibility. It selects a phone line manually using a central switching device called the KSU.

The KSU-less variant of this system has the same phone capabilities as the basic system, but it is more portable and adaptable because it lacks the KSU.

Private branch exchange

A private branch exchange is another form of system (PBX). Because this system is more advanced than the KSU and KSU-less systems, it has additional functionality. It makes use of programmable switching devices to allow for automatic call routing.

Because it’s entirely automated, this type of corporate phone system is best for companies with more than 40 employees. Another significant benefit of the PBX system is that it includes an uninterruptible power supply, which allows a firm to operate without electricity for an extended period of time.

The hosted PBX is a variation of this system. The sole difference is that the programmable switching device is now hosted by a telephone company rather than being put on-premises.

The key benefit is that a firm can save some of the installation and maintenance expenditures associated with a traditional PBX system without sacrificing any of the advanced functions it originally provided.

Voice over Internet Protocol

Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is the most recent telephone innovation for businesses (VoIP). This is by far the most advanced method, allowing a potential client and a phone operator to communicate even if they are in separate countries. It requires the usage of both the internet and a computer to function.

However, because the cost is dictated by the number of employees that need to utilize it, it is also the most expensive system. The key advantage of this system is that it can perform all of its operations using a computer.

Conclusion

While making a choice for a phone system for your business, consider the vendor’s reputation as well as the features offered by business phone systems retailers. Confirm that the organization has an excellent track record with positive client evaluations and that customer service is readily available in the event that an issue with the system arises.

FAQs on Phone systems

What are the different types of phone systems?

Key system units, private branch exchanges, and Voice over Internet Protocol are the three major forms of business telephone systems. There are hosted (cloud) and non-hosted versions of each of these systems. Let’s look at how they differ in more detail.

What is the cost of a business phone?

Monthly expenses for the best business phone systems range from $12 to $20 per user. Some well-known companies, like Zoom, charge less per month (beginning at $10 per user in Zoom’s case), but also per minute (3 cents).

What is phone systems?

A phone system consists of many telephones connected in such a way that advanced telephony functions like call handling and transferring, conference calling, call metering and accounting, private and shared voice message boxes, and so on are available.

What is a VoIP phone used for?

VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) is a technology that allows you to make voice calls via the Internet rather than over a traditional (or analog) phone line.