Businesses can increase the productivity of its employees by setting up an effective phone system. A business telephone system is a costly investment that should not be undertaken without surveying the market for the best rates and services. Apart from the cost of hardware, the packages offered by phone system providers also vary across a wide range. The package should be selected based on the usage and telephonic activity of the business.
Here are some tips to save money on telephone systems:
Amount of usage
If your employees have limited cellular phone usage then go in for a plan that has a fixed rate for unlimited usage. If the mobile phone usage is high, it is better to opt for a plan where the talk time is fixed for a month. This way, users do not exceed their billing limit for a month.
Discounts on long distance calls
Long distance calls can be quite expensive. Many telephone system providers provide a discounted rate to businesses if the volume of such calls is high. As the discounted rate kicks in only after a specific number or minutes of long distance calls have been made, this option is costly for businesses where long distance calls are rare.
Length of calls
The billing increment varies across phone system providers. If your business sees more of short calls, a two minute billing increment will increase costs, even if the fixed rate is low. For such a business, a plan that has billing increments of 6 10 seconds will prove more economical. You may have to pay a higher flat rate, but it will save you money in the long run.
Unnecessary accessories
Telephones come with all kinds of accessories – camera, special ring tones and keypads, jazzy displays, and so on. A business phone system does not need these trimmings. Special features like automatic redialing and 3 way calling can also be done without, unless they add some value to your business. A simple and straightforward telephone system is usually the best choice.
Itemized bills
Itemized bills are necessary to observe and regulate phone system usage across business departments and personnel. Business heads can take decisions on modifying individual and company behavior to maximize the benefits of a telephone system.
Term of contracts
Phone system providers try to engage businesses in long term contracts. Businesses would be ill advised to enter a contract of more than a year. This gives them the flexibility to change the provider if telephone rates improve or another provider offers a better deal. Many providers will alter their rates to beat the competition, and retain customers.
Survey the market
Businesses should never go with the first phone system provider that contacts them. Survey the market for the reputed telephone system providers, their rates and offers. Keep your long term plans in mind and select a phone system that will be most suitable for your workforce strength. Ask business associates about the telephone system they use, their experience with customer care services and their monthly phone expenses.
A business telephone system helps a business improve relationships with customers and business partners, and save time and money. There are many phone system providers in the market, and a business needs to weigh all its options before selecting a provider. An effective telephone system has the potential to increase the productivity of your workforce and your bottom line.
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