• By Steven Hays
• Published 08/30/2012

Telephones are considered to be one of the most useful office equipment. It is the telephones which keep you connected with the rest of the world as well as with the different departments in an organisation.

Therefore, if you are setting up a business, you are required to install the right telephone system for productive work environment. Telephone systems for business offer different features which are required for specific purposes. You need to select the right telephone features for your business.

The commercial telephone systems offer useful features which can enhance the value of your business. However, all the features are not required for the mode of business you are in. Therefore, it is wise to look closely at the different features and learn about them.

The business phone system features can be categorised into two different sections – basic features and advanced features. One of these two sections is sure to match your requirement. However, to make the right choice you need a clear idea about the two.

Basic features are the common ones which can be found in every business telephone system. However, different brands provide different options. Therefore, do not hesitate to ask the salesperson to give you a detailed list of all the features.

Auto attendant – This feature can banish the need of a receptionist. The facility provides the caller with a host of numbers to select the desired call route. However, if someone wants to avoid tedious process of going through a long call route, the caller can directly call up the desired party by dialling the extension number.

Conference call – For many businesses conference call is a necessity. However, many telephone brands do not allow external conference calls and provide external conferences on request only. You need to determine what is offered to the clients.

Automatic directory – The callers can get the extension numbers of the employees by dialling their names.

Voice mail – It is a well known feature. This one offers the facility of leaving voice messages on behalf of the employees who are absent or busy talking on a different line. Some features offer the facility of separate third party interface. Depending on your budget, you can opt for such a feature.

Call hold – This feature allows the attendant to put a call on hold to attend other matters. This facility is usually added with other features.

Call forward – The ability to forward calls to the other extension numbers or to voice mail is known as call forwarding.

Speed dial and redial – These two facilities are included in any telephone system. While speed dial provides you the opportunity to easily call the important numbers, redial offers you the ability to call the last dialled number with just a touch of a button.

Advanced features are provided on request. These features can enhance the expenditure. However, these help in saving time and increasing productivity too. If you want the official calls to be forwarded to your mobile phone, you may opt for this. If money is not a restriction, you can connect the telephone system to your computer system too.

Before you contact a company for installation of phone for business, you need to determine where you want to place the telephones. The common areas which require telephone connections are reception area, conference room and warehouse area.

Author Bio:Steven Hayes is a copywriter specialising in blog posts and articles in the electronics and communications industry. He provides tips and suggestions for choosing the right phone for business.