Business Telephone Systems - Selecting an IP Phone System

This article looks at some reasons to consider an IP phone system for business needs. We consider the possible systems that are available today, including PC phone systems. We then conver some considerations for small to medium business needs analysis when considering an IP phone system.

One aspect first to be aware of is the advantages IP interfaces provide to a business telephone system. IP connections will improve the flexibility of a business telephone system, particularly in managing extensions. It is much easier to move phones within the office. An IP interface also provides support for locating compatible phones in home offices and making connections when travelling. In addition, systems with a built-in Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) feature allow connecting over the Internet without any extra hardware for analog to digital conversion.

Some of the most popular commercially available systems today are Panasonic, Avaya Partner, Lucent, Merlin, Nortel Norstar, Comdial and Vodavi (from Vertical), NEC, Toshiba, Mitel, and Shoretel phone systems. Not all of these systems support IP features, so we recommend consulting a trusted vendor for the latest available features. In addition to a "traditional" phone system, any PC or computer can be used as an IP phone system with downloadable free software. Keep in mind that "free" systems will require a significantly greater level of expertise on your staff (or from your local provider).

What is the method to make the best selection from among these existing business telephone systems? In Reality, most any of these systems would be a satisfactory choice for the average small business. If you already have a business telephone system, then you can itemize the important features that your business cannot live without, should you select a different manufacturer. And for some, hiring a professional to perform a detailed needs assessment would be advisable. But for most, the key selection criterion will be choosing a good local dealer who can adequately support your business needs.

Also, bear in mind that routing your phone traffic over the Internet might necessitate an upgrade of the company's Internet connection, in order to support voice as well as data. Integrated voice/data services are useful for this, particularly if supplied with a Quality of Service (QOS) feature, which efficiently prioritizes voice traffic over less critical data traffic. Thus when employees are downloading large files or watching online videos, business telephone quality will not be affected.

If the business needs a very consistent phone service, then you should consider a T1 connection, which is delivered with a Service Level Agreement (SLA), for guaranteed uptime. Since T1 lines have reduced dramatically in price from just a few years ago, when the average monthly cost was over $1000 to at present often under $300, a T1 is now a much more reasonable solution. The available features and number of vendors supplying T1 services have also increased dramatically in recent years. A telecommunications broker can assist with selecting the best T1 service provider according to your needs.


Jim Green owns an online telecom brokerage representing over 30 telecom service providers, and also assists in selecting the best local small business telephone system providers to support an IP phone system.