Buying PBX phones

Written by Eric Flemingg

When purchasing a new phone system, many businesses choose private branch exchange (PBX) systems. A PBX telephone system is a way to maximize the use of available phone lines by creating a virtual phone network inside your business, which allows for fewer traditional phone lines being purchased. If your company is going this route, you probably plan to purchase new PBX phones. Before making that step, it's a good idea to keep an eye on what features you actually need–especially the ones you are currently using on your phones.

Deciding whether to purchase new PBX phones

When purchasing a new phone system, new phone handsets often are a part of the deal. However, depending on which features you already have on your phones, you might be able to get by with what you already have. In addition to making your employees happy (because no one really enjoys the learning curve associated with yet another piece of new technology), it should also be good for your bottom line. However, there are many new and exciting features associated with today's PBX phones, so don't discount the productivity spike you may encounter after your workforce is familiar with the new phone hardware.

What features should you look for?

While your PBX telephone system will have such features as an auto attendant, simultaneous ringing, a unified messaging system (for voice mail, e-mail, and faxing), as well as conference calls and other productivity enhancers, a good phone will have its own features that make the phone system easier to use. Those features include:

• LCD screens. A phone with a big, bright LCD screen not only makes it easier to get the phone up and running (no more wondering if you hit the right button), but also can make features such as caller ID more useful. If you can see at a glance who's calling, and you can navigate the menu system more simply and efficiently, you can get more done, and more value from the phone.
• Speakerphone. When you're on the phone, having to deal with cradling the receiver between your ear and shoulder, or holding it in your hand, you get less done. With speakerphone-enabled phones, you can multitask, invite more people into the conversation, and be more efficient and productive.
• Phone book, speed dialing and more. Good PBX phones should make it easy to store your commonly called phone numbers, both to make it easier to contact who you want, and to help with caller ID. In addition, speed dialing, properly implemented, will make you faster.

Buying tips for your new PBX telephone systems

Regardless of which PBX phones you choose, you should look for hardware that will not lock you into a particular vendor or protocol. The SIP protocol is a Web standard for VOIP (voice over internet protocol), so any phone or vendor that locks you into their own proprietary system should immediately raise red flags. It isn't necessarily a bad thing, but in very real terms you are putting all your eggs in the same basket with that vendor. Should it go under, or suddenly require complete hardware and software upgrades, you're stuck with them until you decide to switch over your entire phone setup.

When making a purchase this important, it's always worth the time to get competing bids from multiple providers. The easiest way to get started is with BuyerZone's free phone system quote request tool: just describe what you're looking for and we'll match you to qualified providers who want your business.