Selecting a new phone system for your
business can be quite overwhelming!
It's one of the most important decisions
that you can make regarding the workflow
of your office and it has to be done
right to avoid costly mistakes.
Whether you are a small business or a
large enterprise, let Meridian Networks
help you find the right system for your
immediate and future needs. We are not
a Phone System dealer and, therefore,
do not try to fit your business into a
system but rather help you determine
what system will best fit the needs
of your business.
Not ready for a new system? Have our
experienced technicians repair your
telecommunications equipment. Whether
the problem lies with your business
phone system itself, with the wiring
and cabling or is a programming error,
Meridian Networks can fix the problem
fast and minimize downtime.
The basic types of phone systems used in
offices are key systems, hybrids, private
branch exchanges (PBX) and Centrex.
Key Systems are the simplest type and
can handle up to 60 stations, with a
maximum of 40 usually recommended.
In this type of system, the wires from
outside lines and extensions are connected
in a small box called a Key Service Unit.
The phone on each employee’s desk has
lighted buttons, representing each line.
An outgoing caller selects an unlit button
to get an outside line. Incoming calls are
routed to an extension. If that extension
is busy, the call is rerouted to another
line, or to a receptionist.
Hybrid Systems can handle a maximum of
100 stations. With hybrid systems, users
do not need to select a line manually,
as the system will automatically find
an open line. This eliminates the need
for more complex lighted handsets used
in key systems. Additionally, hybrid
systems are usually more electronically
sophisticated, offering more features.
Private Branch Exchange (PBX) Systems
offer no limit on the number of stations that
can be accommodated, but the price increases
with the number of stations. PBXs are more
sophisticated than key systems or hybrids,
but also more costly. The capacity of a
PBX is described not by lines, but by ports,
the total number of wires the system can
connect. PBXs can support advanced special
features.
Centrex offers the same kind of options as
a PBX, but the phone company provides the
switching functions. Centrex is a leased
service that relieves you of the expense
and administrative concerns of buying and
operating a complex system at your site.
To help you understand phone system terminology, click on our helpful links:
