Issues Before Enterprises

Telephone systems with keys are

useful for organizations, which have less than 100 people. On

the other hand, companies with larger employee strength should

prefer EPABX. Key systems are based on the old multi-line phones

that used several buttons, or keys, to access an outside line.

EPABXs are basically a smaller version of the switching



equipment.

Even though the two systems are

distinctly different from each other, more recently, the

difference between the KTS and EPABX systems have become

relatively blurred. There are many key systems today that

include features, which were once available only on PBXs.

Besides, there are systems which are "hybrid" having a

mixture of features derived from both the systems. For instance,

telephone systems made by Ascom are hybrid systems.

As digital becomes the craze,

most new systems communicate via this technology. Of course,

these systems are expensive. In the digital systems sound is

transmitted as bits of data rather than audio waves. Besides,

there are analog systems in the market, which can be upgraded to

digital high-speed links using E1 or ISDN networking. In the

best of situations, digital transmission has many advantages

over analog transmission. Digital signals are less likely to be

affected by interference and line degradation. This means that

digital lines are disturbance free.

However, the problem in India is

that most organizations still find it convenient to employ

analog lines for making outgoing calls. As such, this means that

even a digital phone system must convert signals back to analog

waves whenever a call leaves the office. The main attraction for

going in for a digital system is that these systems are better

equipped when it comes to connecting with accessories like voice

mail or caller line identification



device.

Buying Considerations

What should be the important

considerations for an enterprise scouting for a telephone

system? To begin with, companies must ensure that any system

they settle for suits their requirement in terms of size and

capabilities of functions. In other words, it is essential to

understand the limitations and capabilities of a system.

In key telephone systems, system

size is usually indicated as a combination of lines and

extensions. Lines indicate the total number of outside lines

used by the organization, while extensions refer to the number

of phones within it. For instance, a KTS might accommodate up to

15 lines and 45 extensions.

On the contrary, the size of an

EPABX is defined in terms of the number of ports they

accommodate. Ports indicate the 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.

While buying a system, a company

must also take into consideration its future needs. In other

words, it should consider whether the system would be able to

handle any future increase in phone traffic. An ideal system

should be able to handle all expansions in a very cost-effective

manner. This means that the system must be upgradable in case a

need arises. It also means that organizations must buy a system

with a little more capabilities than what is required.

When looking for features in a

system, the best advice would be to limit feature search only to

those features, which are expected to improve communication in

the office. Looking for right features apart, companies must

ensure that whatever features their phone systems have they

should be easily accessible to their employees. Most useful and

common functions must be simple.

If taking voice mail with the

phone system, it is essential to make sure that any phone system

that is being considered must be capable of working with a wide

range of third-party voice mail systems.

Programming and Installation

Apart from the features and

services offered by the vendor, his installation experience must

also be taken into consideration. Here it is important to find a

good vendor with a good number of installation experiences. It

would be better if a company first zeroes in on two-three good

dealers and then finalizes the best one. This is important

because a more experienced vendor would be more familiar with

the nitty-gritty of the system and problems that can occur. This

would mean that an experienced vendor would be in a better

position to ensure optimal performance of the installed system.

Such vendors could also provide better and efficient maintenance

service.

To avoid rewiring in future,

plenty of wiring should be installed when the system is first

purchased. A good benchmark is to go for at least double the

wiring currently needed. While this will add to the cost of

installation, it will really only be a fraction of the cost a

company will face if wires need to be added later.

Inviting Written Quotations

It is important to invite written

proposals from the vendors so that one can compare installation

plan, details of the system, capabilities and costs,

installation time frame besides maintenance service offered by

various vendors. While asking for written proposals, companies

can also send their own specifications in terms of requirements,

features needed and preferred price. This would help the vendor

in striking a better rapport with the companies' needs.