The telephony technology is continuously evolving. While we have seen major infrastructure changes like the switch from landline to mobile and shift from traditional office phones to VoIP, there are also several smaller functional changes that make the bigger transformations happen.

In this blog, we highlight 5 unique features of modern office phone systems that have brought in revolutionary changes over the past two decades. While some of these features facilitate smaller business efficiencies, others bring bigger and systematic improvements to how business phone systems are secured and managed. All these features are easy to implement, and if your business isn’t leveraging any of these, 2016 should be a year of change.

1. Give Your Business a Local Presence and Make Communication Easy
Businesses have varying needs and objectives. While one needs to have a stronger local presence, others may demand a global presence. Your phone system should be designed likewise. At the core, it should be important to make communication and connectivity easy and hassle-free. Modern phone system like Panasonic phone offers a variety of phone number options that can make it easy for consumers and clients to contact you, and improve your brand recognition. A wide range of options include Directory Listings, Local Numbers, International Numbers, and Toll-free Numbers. So, make the right choice that fits your business needs.

2. Effective Call Management for Improved Caller Experience
Callers (and if they are your customers) hate to be on-hold. Therefore, you should strive to make their experience more pleasant and productive. Latest phone systems give you the option to customize settings to improve caller experience. Make sure that you do not miss calls or have long waiting times and call drops. Your team should have few advanced features at their command such as Call Forwarding, Answering Rules, Automatic Call Recording, Shared Lines, Call Screening, Call Flip, Intercom, Shared Lines, Call Park, Missed Call Notifications, Message Alerts, and Call Logs.

3. Devices and Phone Service
One advantage that modern phone systems, such as Panasonic phones, come with is Cloud service. This makes it easier to administer your calls across all locations, incorporates multiple calling options, includes all users, and integrates diverse devices seamlessly. Some of the key features that every business with Cloud phone service should leverage are Caller ID Control, Secure VoIP Service, Desktop App, VoIP Headsets, Analog Adapters, etc.

4. Cloud PBX
This is one important and unique office phone system feature that can revolutionize the way you manage your calls and contacts, and delightfully, at a fraction of cost. Some of the key elements that you should take into consideration are hosted PBX service, multi level IVR, auto receptionist, call reports, user templates, call monitoring, access control, extensions, on-hold music, seamless sign in, and much more.

5. Business SMS
One unique feature (and one that is not commonly used) of office phones that businesses should consider is the option to send and receive text messages via your business number and through your Smartphone, computer or tablet. You can also make unlimited text messages via your office phone number.

Ansatel Communications Inc. is one of Canada’s leading converged communications providers, offering a wide range of data and voice solutions via Panasonic phones, business phone systems, voice mail services, headsets, networking, Nortel/Avaya, and IP PBX/VoIP.

Well, you could use your mobile phone, but then, you are at the mercy of poor signal strength and short-lived battery life.

You could use your home phone, but then, be ready to receive calls all throughout the night.

While both seems cost effective and a lucrative solution to minimize your overhead costs, neither of them even come closer to the professionalism and functionality of office phone systems being used by some large organizations.

And here lies the biggest problem. Your phone is the gateway to your business, and choosing the right one that fits your need and company size is most important.

However, before you make the big leap towards making a hefty investment as that in a Panasonic phone, there are certain things you need to figure out first:

1. Do you need a comprehensive business phone system that includes physical office phones, or you could do with modern virtual phone services that are completely cloud-based systems unlike traditional phones?

Here it is vital to consider the pros and cons of both physical phones and cloud-based systems. Cutting-edge office phone systems like Panasonic have powerful features like VoIP, SIP ergonomic design, wireless operation, high definition audio, LCD display, multiple function keys, business applications, and conferencing that aid in effective business communication. Considering these smart features and the size of your business, buying Panasonic phones may be the best bet for you.

On the other hand, virtual office phone systems are one that are completely internet-based, and allows building communication with your staff, customers and clients using just one number. The biggest advantage of virtual phones is that you can access and manage the phone system via the Internet, anywhere and anytime. Moreover, you can have just one number for all your business needs, and pay one flat rate per month for the service.

So, what’s your pick?

2. Next, determine what kind of service you want? You can choose between traditional landline telephone system provided by your local or regional carrier, and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) system, which runs completely over the Internet. There are certain models of Panasonic phone that offer the best of both worlds – traditional business phone system complemented with VoIP service.

3. If you prefer VoIP, it is important to decide whether you want to host the VoIP system at your business location, i.e. premises based, or want to be hosted by your service provider, i.e. cloud based.

Buying a VoIP office phone system can be challenging. And one the biggest dilemma is to choose a premises-based system or a cloud-based solution. Here, it is important to consider certain factors like critical business communication features, your existing infrastructure, upfront cost, Total Cost of Ownership, and scalability.

Considering these important factors will help you choose the right office phone for your business.

Ansatel Communications Inc. is a leading provider of telecommunication solutions and services in Canada. The company offers a wide range of customized solutions that include Panasonic Phone, Nortel Business Communication Managers, Unified Communications, Voicemail Systems, Networking, Business Phone Systems, Conference Telephone, and Headsets.