Business Phone Systems - Types Of Systems Available

There are three major types of phone systems available: KSU-

Less phones, Key phone systems and Private Branch Exchange

(PBX)phone systems. Which type of these phone systems you

choose will depend on the amount of extensions you require

and the features your telephone system needs to have

installed.



KSU-Less systems



KSU-Less systems are usually more suited to companies that

typically have less than ten employees, or require less than

ten extensions. That isn't to say that all companies

requiring less than ten phones can make do with a KSU-Less

system. It may be that you require more features which are

only available through either a PBX or Key phone system.



Requiring a far lower initial investment than the other

types of business phone systems, KSU-Less phones are

specifically designed to include many of the features

usually only available through the implementation of more

expensive small business phone systems.



KSU-Less phone systems can be easily unplugged and

relocated, because they are not permanently wired into your

office. This portability allows you to treat KSU-Less phone

systems, much the same as any business machine, rather than

a lost permanent investment.



You will need to ensure that any KSU-Less system you choose

is compatible not only with the type of wiring you have in

your office, but also with any accessories you may already

have, such as: headsets, answering & fax machines and

modems. Because KSU-Less phone systems are relatively

inexpensive, they are not usually sold, installed, or

maintained by telecoms vendors.



All of this means, you have to go out there and do not only

the shopping yourself but, also the installation and

support. This is one of the two major drawbacks of KSU-Less

phone systems. The last thing any business needs is to be

concerned with the reliability and maintenance of its phone

system. Another drawback of KSU-Less systems is that they

are more prone to something known as "crosstalk". This is

where separate conversations may blend into each other. With

PBX phone systems, Key phone systems and Hybrid phone

systems falling in price, it sometimes makes more sense to

invest in a full business phone system, rather than become

susceptible to the risks of KSU-Less phone systems.



Private Branch Exchange (PBX) Phone Systems



If your business typically requires more than forty

extensions, or your needs dictate you need advanced

functions from your business phone system, then PBX systems

are often the solution. PBX phone systems used to be

extremely expensive and only affordable by huge corporations

with hundreds of extensions. Though this is still the case

for larger installations, the development of the technology

required has progressed to the point where a powerful, fully

functional PBX office phone system for a small business is

able to fit on the top of a desk.



Nearly all these compact PBX phone systems come with all the

features you might want as standard. You pay a premium for

the programmability and flexibility that a PBX offers, but

in most cases the price difference is not as much as you may

imagine between that of a less flexible phone system.



Key Systems



Key phone systems are more typical in businesses that

require five to forty extensions. This type of phone system

uses a central control unit called the Key System Unit (KSU)

to provide features and functions that are not available

using ordinary phones. An example of this is: key systems

using a KSU allow one extension to call another in house

extension, and prevents any other users from picking up a

line that is already in use. Key systems usually come as

standard with most features any business would expect, but

in some cases they are often less flexible than a PBX phone

system.



PBX & Key Systems (hybrids)



Though Key and PBX systems have some different technical

features, these differences have become somewhat blurred

over the past couple of years. Many Key systems now offer

features that were once only available to those who chose to

install a full PBX phone system. Some systems also operate

internally as either a PBX or Key system depending on the

software installed. Sometime these systems are often

referred to as 'Hybrid' phone systems.



Thanks for reading.









About The Author:



Jason Morris is co-author, search engine optimization and marketing consultant of Business Phone Systems Direct. Specialists in the supply and installation of quality business phone systems and accessories from leading manufacturers. For a free quotation on one of our range of Panasonic phone systems and for free technical advice click Panasonic Phone Systems