Is Your Old Phone System Costing Too Much?

When it comes time to replace things in the office, systems and devices that still work probably aren’t your first thought. But when it comes to your old phone system, how do you define “working?” With maintenance, expansion, and repair costs to consider, you don’t have to look too hard to find that an upgrade to VoIP may be kinder on your wallet after all.

Here are some areas where phone system costs are hidden - or swept under the rug:

1. Replacement costs and repair

If you’re near your desk phone, take a look at it. It’s got some kind of receiver, a keypad, maybe some additional buttons or a screen for extension and hold functionality. It’s got wires for power and for connectivity. It does what you need it to, until it doesn’t, and that’s when the problems begin. Depending on how old your system is, new parts may be expensive or difficult to find, and the parts that are commonplace - like cords - start to add up. Beyond your own desk phone, there’s wiring and hardware throughout the building that enables you to use it. Repairs can range from an annoyance to a workplace disruption, and even the most minor of fixes can have an impact on your bottom line.

With an IP-based phone system, you never have to lose productivity. With options like mobile VoIP, where your smartphone doubles as your business phone, and softphones, which require only a headset and an internet browser, malfunctions are no longer disruptions.

2. Expansion Costs

It’s always important to think about the cost of expansion when getting a new phone system, but the fact is that only some people do. If your business is growing, or you could see it growing in the future, consider the expense of new work stations. If new desks or offices don’t have the necessary wiring to set up a new phone, it will have to be installed. You’ll need a new handset, or you’ll make do with an old hand-me-down and run into more repair costs down the line.

With VoIP, wiring headaches are obsolete and handsets are optional. This helps get your new employees onboard faster, spurring business growth without a hitch.

3. No mobility

When your job requires making and taking calls frequently, you can end up chained to your desk - or, more accurately, your desk phone. This lack of flexibility is felt by employees, and when flexible workers have been shown to be more productive and happier with their jobs, anything that makes their work life better is good for the business. Moreover, ditching your old PBX for a solution with mobile VoIP can also result in happier customers. With the ability to route after-hours calls to available employees, wherever they are, you can ensure that they get the answers they need, when they need them. And if no one’s available, many VoIP systems have auto-attendant features that can answer basic queries.

So ask yourself this: is your old phone system really working? In a literal sense, it may be. But when it’s draining valuable time and money like a leaky faucet, it’s not working for you. Check out our eBook on how VoIP drives business success: