3 BEST PREMISE SMALL BUSINESS PHONE SYSTEMS OF 2016


Your small business needs a reliable, robust communications system that offers plenty of features at a price you can handle. In 2016, there were a number of standout small business phone systems designed for on-premise use. This phone technology for business is built on the infrastructure of traditional phone lines and is separate from cloud-hosted options entering the marketplace. Here are a few of the top-selling options for this year.

THE DIGIUM SWITCHVOX 310

In the world of phone technology for business, the Digium Switchvox 310 is one of the best-value options for your money. It allows for both traditional landline calls and VoIP calls. It is a slimline rack mounted box that offers an interactive switchboard, CRM integration, video calling, call queues and more. It is perfect for small and mid-sized businesses who are looking to upgrade while keeping some of their existing equipment in place. Digium also offers seven other versions of the Switchvox in various sizes for added functionality as you grow.

THE MITEL MIVOICE OFFICE

Mitel is another favorite brand in the phone technology for business sphere. Mitel's MiVoice line of unified communications systems comes in the MiVoice Office, MiVoice Business and MiVoice Enterprise tiers. The MiVoice Office is a great starting place for small businesses who want a flexible communications system they can grow into. With the ability to operate up to 99 IP sites, this system provides plenty of space for a small or mid-sized business and has a number of built-in collaborative and productivity features that add to its functionality. Virtual conferencing, automated attendant and hands-off features are all ready to go.

OTHER OPTIONS

In addition to the more advanced feature phone technologies like Digium and Mitel, a wide range of entry-level phone systems also exist on the market. These systems have often been used by DIY small business owners who don't need a huge bank of phones or call routing strategies. The most popular brands at this level are NEC and AVAYA, both of which offer low-priced gear that you can pick up individually and piece together to create a functional phone system without all the bells and whistles. Toshiba has also been making its way into this market with affordable phones and a handful of competitive features.

Whatever your phone system needs are, it is important to consult with a technology expert before you buy. The risk of purchasing cheaper standalone phone systems is that they may not be compatible with any of your existing hardware or software. The goal should be to maximize functionality to get the best return on your investment, and today even small businesses have access to some of the features that were once reserved for enterprise-level applications. With the right guidance, you can get a high-level, modern phone system at a fair price.

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