Looking for more information on small office phone systems? If so, in this article, we’ll take a look at three popular types of systems that help streamline office operations. Anyone who works in a small office will know that they have many roles to play and that there is always more to do at that time. Therefore, a reliable phone system with productivity-enhancing features is always welcome. At the same time, with technological advances, all of these systems have become very affordable for small business owners and start-up entrepreneurs who want to get the most out of their investment.

The top 3 small office phone systems to consider are:

answering system. An auto attendant system answers a call immediately when someone calls and presents an automated service menu for the caller to choose the right party or person to communicate with. These systems are efficient because offices do not need to hire additional staff to answer and route calls. At the same time, callers don’t need to wait for a receptionist to talk to them and transfer a call. In most small businesses, most people already have a lot on their plate, and the task of having to answer incoming phone calls only takes them away from other activities. This system can be used to filter and prioritize calls and even answer basic questions the caller may have, saving everyone time.

multi line system. The most popular small office multi-line phone systems include 2-line systems and 4-line systems. These systems allow multiple callers to speak to multiple staff members at the same time. If you have a busy office where time is money, having to waste time waiting to use the phone is not wise. Also, callers can be disconnected if they hear a busy signal too often. Companies like Vtech or Panasonic offer many standard 2-line systems that are very easy to set up, whether for a small business or a home office.

VoIP business phone system. Any discussion of the best small office phone systems is not complete without mentioning the VoIP business phone system. VoIP or Voice over Internet Protocol is an Internet telephony system that allows you to make and receive calls cheaply. You don’t even need a phone jack to set up a system, you just need a broadband Internet connection. Early versions of VoIP systems were considered less reliable for business use, but today, teething problems have been ironed out and many small offices are jumping on the VoIP bandwagon.

How does VoIP work? Analog voice data is transformed into digital data and routed over the Internet. The calls bypass the traditional telephone networks of traditional telcos like ATT and therefore the prices of the services have been very reasonable from a totally different economic point of view. VoIP business phone systems are offered by upstarts like Vonage, RingCentral, and some business users also rely on Skype. Even traditional phone companies now offer their versions of VoIP phone lines.

Which of these small office phone systems do you like best? Take a step back and reflect on your needs and how each of these systems could best help you. One article doesn’t make anyone an expert, so you might also want to check out a few more follow-up articles.