Advice

Sizing a Phone System
When buying an office phone system, a primary concern is to make sure that the system is the right size for your firm. This means understanding the size constraints of the system.

In the case of key systems, system size is usually indicated as a combination of "lines" and "extensions." Lines, which are also sometimes called trunks, indicate the total number of outside lines used by the company, while extensions refer to every phone within the company. For example, a system might accommodate up to 12 lines and 36 extensions.

In contrast, most PBXs define size in terms of "ports," which indicate the maximum number of connections that can be made to the system. This includes outside lines and inside extensions, as well as accessories such as voice mail or automated attendants.

Even if office phone systems can handle your current phone traffic, you also need to check that it will be able to handle your future expansion needs. The ideal system should be able to handle such expansions in a very cost-effective manner.

Check which items will need to be purchased or replaced as your needs change and your staff grows to get a good sense for your future office phone systems costs.

Telephone System Buyer’s Guide

• Telephone System Introduction
• Types of Phone Systems
• Sizing Office phone Systems
• Digital vs. Analog Systems
• Phone System Features
• Telephone Systems Dealer
• PBX Systems Prices
• Computer Phone Systems
• PBX System Buying Tips
• Office Telephone Industry Lingo