Olivia Maier
As a startup, I’m sure you have asked a similar question when investing in the business tools you have now. For a startup, each and every investment should help you further your business goals. This goes from the team you are building, to the tools you will be relying on. Some decisions might seem easier than others, you can interview team members, take a tour of a new office space, and in general have a tangible aspect to your decision making. When it comes to a phone system though it can sometimes be hard to distinguish between types of phone systems when you’re just looking at a website. At the end of the day this will be an individual choice, with the best option differing based on your specific startup needs.
That’s why we wanted to give you a few things to consider so you can confidently find an answer to the question “what’s the most reliable phone system for MY startup?”
The basics of a KSU phone system are that it uses a central control device, known as the key system, in order to direct calls. This results in a KSU phone system being able to handle multiple lines, but there are limitations on the total number of lines it is capable of handling. This makes it most commonly used by businesses who have less than 40 employees. If you are a startup looking to grow, you may outgrow your KSU phone system fairly quickly. However, KSU phone systems are known for being an intuitive and easy-to-use solution. In the end, this option is able to give you the benefits of being simple to implement, but with limited options for scalability and flexibility.
A PBX phone system uses programmable switching devices to operate, and is known for being a highly automated phone system. You may hear the phrase “hosted PBX” which simply refers to when the switching device is hosted by a telephone provider in an off-site location. PBX phone systems are known for being more flexible than KSU systems, as they have more options for configuration. However, some businesses see these options as being overly complicated and harder to use. Regardless of if it is easy to use or not, PBX phone systems are certainly more scalable than a KSU system.
VoIP systems operate by sending data packets over broadband lines instead of traditional phone lines. In essence, it is an internet based phone system that takes advantage of the increased reliability the internet can offer users. VoIP systems are the most flexible and scalable of the options, as there is no need to be connected to physical phone lines in order for the system to work. VoIP systems are able to connect to computers, and some VoIP providers like Yodel are able to provide VoIP access through hardware SIP phones, as well as mobile and tablet apps. This allows you to access your business phone system wherever you are, which wouldn’t be possible with a phone system that relies on traditional phone lines.
When you are looking for a phone system, it makes sense to start with reliability. Determine if traditional phone lines or an internet based system makes the most sense for your business goals. From there, find a phone system that supports your needs both today, and into the future. That will help you decide how important it is to find a system that is easily scalable. The last consideration would be additional features that different phone providers can offer. Those features can help you improve your phone communication, and should be carefully considered. Take the time to do thorough research so that you can find the best phone system for your specific needs.
Traditional phone providers offering a KSU or PBX system don’t really offer a way to try their product without some sort of a commitment. However VoIP providers are often able to offer some sort of trial period for your business. Yodel goes as far as to offer a free trial with no credit card needed to get started. This can help you test out a system to determine if it is the right fit for your team and business needs. Don’t settle for a system that doesn’t give you the chance to test it out before you commit.
we are happy to be the best virtual phone system for the thousands of companies who are proudly using Yodel. Do you think that Yodel might be the best virtual phone system for you? Get started with a free trial today to test it out!
