Types of Business Phone Systems

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Phone systems & VOIP

Depending on the networking capacity and functional features you require required for your business, you can choose from four basic types of commercial/ business phone systems. They are:

Key systems
Private Branch Exchange (PBX) systems
KSU( Key System Unit)-less phones and
VoIP ( Voice Over Internet Protocol)

Of the above, VoIP is a relatively new entrant which is beginning to be increasingly considered by organizations when making their phone system purchase decisions.

The table below provides a quick snapshot of these four systems, which will help you decide the phone system that would best suit your immediate and future needs:

	KEY SYSTEMS	PBX	KSU-LESS PHONES	VOIP
Networking capacity	Suitable for networking between 5 to 40 employees	Can network more than 40 employees	Less than 10 employees	Suitable for most small and large enterprises
Main Feature	Employs Key System Unit device to enable features not available on standard phones	Programmable and can support complex implementations. Facilitates communication amongst internal users as well as external users.	Eliminates the need for a central cabinet. Can be unplugged and moved to a new location easily; so portability is an important attribute.	Carries voice over a computer network instead of traditional phone lines.
Other Features	Locks users from using phone lines that are being used. Has basic features of a PBX model at lower costs.	Most flexible and popularly used business phone system. Shares external phone lines while saving costs.	Features like: conference, transfer, hold and intercom, as in a PBX are available at a fraction of the cost.	Improved voice quality and cost effective. In fact, a major attraction of VoIP-based phone systems is their cost-effectiveness.
How to Connect	The phones are connected to a KSU system with a central controlling device.	BX phone system requires telephone trunk lines, a computer to manage calls inside and outside the PBX, a line network in the PBX, and a console or switchboard for an operator.	They connect to each other and require analog lines and AC power at each extension.	A VoIP system requires a: regular phone, an adapter, broad band internet service and subscription to VoIP service.

The key factors to consider when determining which of the above phone systems you should opt for are:

Size of business
Number of lines and extensions required
Expandability
Adaptability to new technology

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