There are a number of factors to consider when choosing a phone system for your shop or shopping centre such as what features you need, what collaboration tools integrate with the phone system and your budget.
Phone Connection - Hosting - Options - Cost - Calling Features - Business Mobility
You need to ensure that your phone is always answered as a missed call could mean the loss of a sale. Pick a phone system which will help you never miss a phone call.
We are always happy to chat about your requirements and demo the different phone systems – get in touch!
Type of Phone Systems
There are three main phone system options; Hosted telephony (VoIP), IP Phone Systems and Hybrid Phone Systems
The Hosted Phone system is cloud-based phone system which you rent rather than purchasing your own dedicated system.
A Hybrid Phone System combines the different types of connection technology (ISDN, Analogue, Digital and IP) into a single modern and flexible phone system. Most businesses opt for a Hybrid Phone System when they have ISDN, Analogue or Digital infrastructure but want the advantages that IP brings to the table.
A Hybrid phone system cannot be put onto an industry standard server or be cloud-based; it needs its own dedicated PBX box.
With an IP Phone System, you purchase the phone system for your own use and you choose where to host it; on-premise or off-site.
Ideal Phone System for your Shop or Shopping Centre
Most employees in your shop will be on the shop floor so you won’t have the need for many extensions. If you have a single shop, we would recommend a Hosted Phone System.
Should you have a chain of shops or perhaps a shopping centre, we would recommend an IP Phone System or if you have existing infrastructure like ISDN, Analogue or Digital lines or extensions then choose a Hybrid Phone System.
Pros and Cons of Hosted Phone System
- Flexibility if you are travelling, working from home or even move to a new office, with the hosted phone system you just need to simply plug it in.
- Scalability as adding and removing users is simple
- Variety of Features such as video conferencing, call routing, voicemail recording sent to email etc.
- Automatic upgrades are distributed to all users.
- Phone system Management is in your hands as you have access to change any settings such as opening times or we can do that for you.
- Business continuity is covered with hosted telephony, as your calls can be instantly rerouted in the event of an outage – meaning you won’t be missing out on business.
- Minimal set-up costs as there is no hardware except if you want a phone handset.
- Low monthly cost per user.
- No physical hardware to host on-site or remotely.
- Speedy installation as it’s unlikely that you’ll need physical cabling because most places have internet connectivity.
- Maintenance is included within your monthly subscription.
- There is only one limitation to a hosted phone system; it is IP technology which means you need a reliable internet connection since the phone system runs across the internet; the connection determines the voice quality.
Pros and Cons of an IP Phone System
- You own the system.
- You can choose where to host it, whether that be on your own server/ on-premise/ hosted in your own private cloud via a data centre; it gives you ownership on the maintenance of the system.
- No long-term contracts (unless you purchase using finance.)
- Flexibility to use the phone system even if you are working remotely.
- Scalability as adding and removing users is simple.
- Variety of Features such as video conferencing, call routing, voicemail recording sent to email etc.
- Phone system Management is in your hands as you have access to change any settings such as opening times.
- Business continuity is covered as your calls can be instantly rerouted in the event of an outage – meaning you won’t be missing out on business.
- There will be up-front costs to purchase however, it can be financed or leased.
- You will need to choose somewhere to host it, whether it be on-premise or hosted externally which may incur additional costs
- Maintenance will be your responsibility unless you outsource this aspect or it can be included in the lease
- A reliable Internet connection is required because if you lose internet, you lose access to your phone system
- Your voice quality is determined by internet connection so again, you need to have a strong, reliable internet connection
- Any upgrades are at your expense.