Tips from the Experts

1. Assess all your communications needs before you make a buying decision.

Don't just buy telephones - consider system features, telephone set features and auxiliary equipment needs (e.g., external paging, call accounting, etc.), as well as your network requirements.

 

2. Purchase a system with enough room to grow as your business grows.

It's far less expensive to spend a little bit more up front to purchase extra capacity than to upgrade your system before its useful life is up.

 

3. Consider using available technology to save money.

If you're connecting multiple sites, run your voice and data traffic over the same network, using Internet protocol (IP) to reduce network costs. Use centralized answering or automated attendant to minimize your headcount requirements.

 

4. Conserve your capital.

Look at lease and financing options instead of paying cash. Verizon Credit currently offers 0% lease rates on most equipment, with purchase options available at the end of the term.

 

5. Keep your systems up to date.

Telephone systems are just like PCs - they work best with the latest software releases. To stay up to date, purchase a maintenance service agreement - it's less expensive than paying time and materials rates if you have a major system failure.