Phone system installation

Written by Steve Thompson

Telephones are the primary method by which most businesses communicate with their customers. Whether you sell to other companies or to consumers, telephones facilitate not only sales, but also networking, troubleshooting, and other types of essential interactions. Having a reliable phone system is critical for all these communications, so when you purchase phones for your business, phone system installation is as important as the phones themselves when it comes to keeping your company connected.

How phone system installation works

When you purchase a modern phone system for your business, installation can a complicated process, but the actual requirements will vary. There are always three main components in a phone system installation. First, the proper wiring must be installed inside the walls of your office. Next, your hardware (phones, switchboards, etc.) must be connected to those wires at the appropriate points. Finally, you must program your system to best suit the needs of your business.

In some cases, running wires can be the most disruptive part of a phone system installation, but if a previous phone system was installed in your office, reconnecting the appropriate wires isn't as difficult as in an office in which you must start anew. Nevertheless, it takes an experienced hand to ensure safety and reliability when running a cabling and wiring project.

Hiring someone to install your phones

Even if you're purchasing relatively equipment, the easiest method for phone system installation is to hire a business that is experienced with the type of telephone systems you are using. You can either hire a third-party service or you can contract the installation through the dealer that sold you the phones.

The latter option is the easiest and most common, because you know the dealer understands the technical aspects of that phone system and is familiar with the features that are important to you. However, it is sometimes more cost-effective to hire a third-party that might not charge as much as the dealer, and if you get a phone system second hand you'll have to go that route.

Comparing deals

Before you hire someone for to install your phone system, find out what exactly is included in the price. If you're using rack mounts for your phone systems, for example, will the installation company install those mounts as part of the package? What about enclosure systems, routers and hubs, cabling and testing? You'll also want to find out if programming is included, from imposing toll restrictions to programming numbers for automatic dialing.

Before you choose

Rather than choosing the first phone systems installer that pops up in your favorite search engine, talk to several potential installers and ask questions about their experience. For example, have they installed the same model phones that you have purchased? Do they have experience with the type of wiring you require? Are they members of any professional telephone systems installation organizations?

Asking questions like these will ensure your installation is completed as quickly and efficiently as possible once you choose an installer. Get started now: BuyerZone can connect you to several competing phone system installers in no time – and you'll be on your way to a trouble-free phone system installation.