The provision of office phone service is one of the most in demand in the telecommunication sector today. So much so, that a lot of phone companies are currently competing for a portion of the market via phone package offerings that present an array of phone features. Now these features usually vary from simple call announcements to the more complex Auto Call Distributor (ACD).
Here is a guide in choosing phone technology for Home and Small Business
Key Systems
Small Key System
This is a business telephone service that can support three to eight lines with eight phone and 16 phones respectively. The network is comprised of KSU-to-phone wires instead of a more complex phone to phone connection. Most of all, the system is not expandable, so it wouldn’t be enough to support future expansions. Also, it doesn’t provide ports for modem and fax machines.
Medium Key System
Generally, this business phone system can support up to 24 trunks and 48 phones and can get bigger as business grows. Another good thing about it is that it provides ports for voicemails service, fax machines and modems aside from analog and digital phones.
Large Key System
This system is capable of managing numerous analog and digital phones and at the same time support more than 32 lines and around 8 trunks. The advantage of this system is its scalability and the fact that it can be upgraded in many different ways. In connection, it can accommodate a significant amount of business phone extension, which makes it a system to beat.
IP PBX system
Now this phone system, meanwhile, employs internet protocol to connect with the analog and digital phone lines. And what the IP telephony does is it utilizes gateways and line cards to interface into different business phone systems networks. With this service, all voice calls are converted into packets and can be very cost effective since calls between IP gateways are free. Also, this small business phone system is accustomed to expansions that can be accomplished through a TCP/IP network and Ethernet ports with local IP gateways.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Useful Local Number and Toll Free Numbers in UK
There are various phone numbers available and it is important to understand the numbering system and the various prefixes involved. Popular among prefixes is the 0800 toll free number. Area codes 0845 numbers, 0870 and 0871 are digits used as a prefix for non-geographic number. Unlike toll free, calls to these numbers will cost around 10p per minute.
Phone numbers owned by Private and Public establishments in UK are listed below:
Embassies and Consulates
US Embassy - Telephone Number: 020/7499-900
Canadian Consulate - Telephone Number: 020/7258-6600
Emergency Hotline
Ambulance and Police Assistance -Telephone number: 999
Dialing Assistance
Operator Assistance - Telephone Number: 100 (Calling the number is free of charge)
Directory Assistance - Telephone number: 118-500 (calling cost starts from 42p/min)
International Directory Assistance - Telephone number: 118-505
Transportation
Train
For trip with in England - Telephone number: 0845-748-4950
Eurostar - Telephone number: 0870-518-6186
Trains to all points in Europe - Telephone number: 0870-584-8848
Airport
Heathrow - Telephone number: 0870-000-0123
Gatwick - Telephone number: 0870-000-2468
Stansted - Telephone number: 0870-000-0303
London City Airport - Telephone number: 020/7646-0088
Dialing local number with in Britain is the same as dialing phone number in the US. Callers can view the list of area codes on a phone booth walls or are available from directory assistance listed above. For less expensive calls within British region it is best to make calls from 17:00-8:00. If possible refrain from making calls from 8:00-13:00 because of far above the ground calling rate. Users can chooses 0800 number, 0845 phone number or any local phone number they prefer from phone companies recognized in selling numbers.
Phone numbers owned by Private and Public establishments in UK are listed below:
Embassies and Consulates
US Embassy - Telephone Number: 020/7499-900
Canadian Consulate - Telephone Number: 020/7258-6600
Emergency Hotline
Ambulance and Police Assistance -Telephone number: 999
Dialing Assistance
Operator Assistance - Telephone Number: 100 (Calling the number is free of charge)
Directory Assistance - Telephone number: 118-500 (calling cost starts from 42p/min)
International Directory Assistance - Telephone number: 118-505
Transportation
Train
For trip with in England - Telephone number: 0845-748-4950
Eurostar - Telephone number: 0870-518-6186
Trains to all points in Europe - Telephone number: 0870-584-8848
Airport
Heathrow - Telephone number: 0870-000-0123
Gatwick - Telephone number: 0870-000-2468
Stansted - Telephone number: 0870-000-0303
London City Airport - Telephone number: 020/7646-0088
Dialing local number with in Britain is the same as dialing phone number in the US. Callers can view the list of area codes on a phone booth walls or are available from directory assistance listed above. For less expensive calls within British region it is best to make calls from 17:00-8:00. If possible refrain from making calls from 8:00-13:00 because of far above the ground calling rate. Users can chooses 0800 number, 0845 phone number or any local phone number they prefer from phone companies recognized in selling numbers.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Business Voicemail and Business Phone Greeting
Business voice messaging systems as well as auto attendant greeting are spoken messages stored in the business phone system. When there is incoming call to your business phone system, the signal information forward calls to your auto attendant service which plays costumed greeting in order to accommodate callers.
Other than speaking out recorded business phone greeting, the auto attendant service is also able to record messages and calls through a dedicated business voicemail box assigned into it. The simplest way to communicate with auto attendant service is by pressing phone keys as response to the preset voice instructions. The numbers keyed in by the callers are processed by the auto attendant and afterwards, it will bring signal to the personalized voicemail greeting of the call destination and allow callers to access the exchange system.
Auto attendant gives your business the ability to:
• Create a custom telephone greeting and menus.
• Set greeting according to time of the day, business hours and night time services and during holidays.
• Set a dial by name directory and dial by extension directory setting that will give callers instructions on how they can automatically input the extension or department of the personnel they are looking for.
• Provide callers the option to access your business phone operator.
Just a reminder for those interested in getting this phone feature, always maintain the call answering system of your business very caller friendly so that you will gain their trust. Also, a professionally recorded business phone greeting is another way in which you can increase caller responses that in return would lead to generation of additional sales.
Other than speaking out recorded business phone greeting, the auto attendant service is also able to record messages and calls through a dedicated business voicemail box assigned into it. The simplest way to communicate with auto attendant service is by pressing phone keys as response to the preset voice instructions. The numbers keyed in by the callers are processed by the auto attendant and afterwards, it will bring signal to the personalized voicemail greeting of the call destination and allow callers to access the exchange system.
Auto attendant gives your business the ability to:
• Create a custom telephone greeting and menus.
• Set greeting according to time of the day, business hours and night time services and during holidays.
• Set a dial by name directory and dial by extension directory setting that will give callers instructions on how they can automatically input the extension or department of the personnel they are looking for.
• Provide callers the option to access your business phone operator.
Just a reminder for those interested in getting this phone feature, always maintain the call answering system of your business very caller friendly so that you will gain their trust. Also, a professionally recorded business phone greeting is another way in which you can increase caller responses that in return would lead to generation of additional sales.
Monday, November 8, 2010
The Best Small Business Telephone Systems
One needs to compare different brands to find the best and suitable phone system. This means comparing prices, plans, features, support and many more. It may sound difficult especially if there are plenty of choices to consider.
Luckily, that chore has been lightened since 3 best brands are already reviewed here:
Avaya IP500
Avaya produces the first phone system convergence generation with its IP500 system. Its best feature is probably the phone manager which allows phone functions to be controlled and configured using a computer.
- Analogue and SIP trunks
- Best convergence phone system
- Designed for cabling system like CAT 5e/6
- Phone twinning for both home and mobile
- Scalable up to 480 extensions
- Supports different phone types like analogue, digital, soft or USB phones
NEC SV8100
NEC boasts one of the latest business phone system generations with the SV8100 model. It was innovated last 2008 and it promises both quality and features.
- Analogue and SIP trunks
- Compatible with different wirings like CAT-5e/6
- Feature options like voicemail and UC (Unified Communication)
- Modular phone sets
- Scalable up to 500 extensions
- Single or multi-office solution
- Supports multiple phone system types like analog, digital, IP and USB phones
Splicecom
Its Maximiser system took the telecom market by storm. It is a phone system that provides ample of features and a seamless VoIP to PC integration.
- Designed for different cablings like CAT 5e/6
- Multi-office telecommunication integration
- PC and Mac compatible
- Phonebook with up to 10000 entries
- Scalable up to 10000 extensions
- Supports both analogue and digital phones
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Expanding Communications Horizon through Phone Call Divert
Before the evolution of modernized communication systems, phone calls were costly and that quality was quite poor. But with the recent developments in the way people communicate with each other the phone call divert operation is already possible. And also, you no longer have to stay in one place to answer important calls with the forward phone calls service. Chances of missed calls can then be eliminated. With all the telecommunication advances we have these days, we can already expand our communication horizon from the local area even up to international regions. And with the call forwarding feature, you can now make multi party lines open to accept calls. By means of call divert, you are provided with the options including:
(a) Divert calls to another line when busy
(b) Divert calls when there is no reply
(c) Divert calls to voicemail service after working hours
Call transfer is another way where you can automatically send calls to a virtual phone number service or to another designated stations where callers are entertained with the music on hold or message on hold service. Aside from this, you can also make a three-way conference call. You put one person on hold then call another person in private and include that person to come up with a group conference.
The prime considerations of phone call divert and call transfer is to handle the volume of incoming calls in the business especially during the busy hours where simultaneous calls usually occur. It is also important that the business telephone service should conform to the standards of telecommunication system so that each hardware and software requirements will interwork without difficulty.
(a) Divert calls to another line when busy
(b) Divert calls when there is no reply
(c) Divert calls to voicemail service after working hours
Call transfer is another way where you can automatically send calls to a virtual phone number service or to another designated stations where callers are entertained with the music on hold or message on hold service. Aside from this, you can also make a three-way conference call. You put one person on hold then call another person in private and include that person to come up with a group conference.
The prime considerations of phone call divert and call transfer is to handle the volume of incoming calls in the business especially during the busy hours where simultaneous calls usually occur. It is also important that the business telephone service should conform to the standards of telecommunication system so that each hardware and software requirements will interwork without difficulty.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Concept of Call Forwarding Service
One popular feature of virtual phone system is the call forwarding service. This feature permits an incoming call to be diverted to another phone extension, or mobile phone number when the called party is not available. This latest form of telephone forwarding is made through a web user interface panel. Prior to this technology, call forwarding needed personnel to physically switch calls to other phone lines. At present, forwarding of calls is made easy with just a few clicks.
To become more competitive in the world of business, phone system must be equipped with top of the line phone features. Domestic call forwarding and international call forwarding must work in a manner wherein you can take calls anywhere you may be and when you are available.
You can set call forwarding service in the following manner:
• Time of the day routing
Set the way you would like to receive calls according to your favored time. Say for example, in the morning, calls are routed to your office phone. In the afternoon, calls are diverted to front desk and during night time route calls to voicemail.
• Holiday schedule
During special days and holidays, you can set forwarding service direct to your voicemail service. Also you can define a custom greeting notifying callers of your holiday schedule.
• Caller ID
This will give you the capability to set answering rule for certain callers. You can sort out the calls coming from family and business partners. In this manner, calls from family members will be directed automatically to your personal mobile phone.
Call forwarding feature included in your business phone system can sure give you no worries about missing out single phone call.
To become more competitive in the world of business, phone system must be equipped with top of the line phone features. Domestic call forwarding and international call forwarding must work in a manner wherein you can take calls anywhere you may be and when you are available.
You can set call forwarding service in the following manner:
• Time of the day routing
Set the way you would like to receive calls according to your favored time. Say for example, in the morning, calls are routed to your office phone. In the afternoon, calls are diverted to front desk and during night time route calls to voicemail.
• Holiday schedule
During special days and holidays, you can set forwarding service direct to your voicemail service. Also you can define a custom greeting notifying callers of your holiday schedule.
• Caller ID
This will give you the capability to set answering rule for certain callers. You can sort out the calls coming from family and business partners. In this manner, calls from family members will be directed automatically to your personal mobile phone.
Call forwarding feature included in your business phone system can sure give you no worries about missing out single phone call.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
The 0845 and 0800 Numbers
Popular business phone numbers in UK are 0845 number and 0800 number. These numbers are able to smarten up business marketing strategies and customer support system. It’s undeniably true that these numbers are easy to remember thus encourage customers to call you.
0800 number is capable of enhancing your business presence in the national market. It seems to be the best choice for drawing in more inquiries due to the fact that it’s free to call. As the owner of the number you will pay for all the call charges instead. 0800 number is the front-runner when used for marketing and advertising strategies. Plus the number is portable that you can use it anywhere you may be located across UK.
The 0845 number on the other hand is the best counterpart of the 0800 number. This can boost up your image in the local market. But the number is not free to call. Local call rates are imposed to callers even if they are calling long distance. One good thing about the number is that you will be paying a fixed monthly cost. So, you can allocate a fix budget for the number alone.
Providers of 0800 and 0845 consent these numbers to work with the advanced features of the business class phone system. This points out to the easy configuration of numbers to use for both voice phone-calls and faxes.
Examine your need for a business phone number. Decide whether a 0800 number or 0845 number will bring out the best from your company. But first you need to know the difference between these numbers. Second thing is choose the provider of the number that offers plan and pricing enough to support your needs.
0800 number is capable of enhancing your business presence in the national market. It seems to be the best choice for drawing in more inquiries due to the fact that it’s free to call. As the owner of the number you will pay for all the call charges instead. 0800 number is the front-runner when used for marketing and advertising strategies. Plus the number is portable that you can use it anywhere you may be located across UK.
The 0845 number on the other hand is the best counterpart of the 0800 number. This can boost up your image in the local market. But the number is not free to call. Local call rates are imposed to callers even if they are calling long distance. One good thing about the number is that you will be paying a fixed monthly cost. So, you can allocate a fix budget for the number alone.
Providers of 0800 and 0845 consent these numbers to work with the advanced features of the business class phone system. This points out to the easy configuration of numbers to use for both voice phone-calls and faxes.
Examine your need for a business phone number. Decide whether a 0800 number or 0845 number will bring out the best from your company. But first you need to know the difference between these numbers. Second thing is choose the provider of the number that offers plan and pricing enough to support your needs.
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