Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- How Much Will a Phone System Cost?
- Should I consider a refurbished phone system?
- What Is VoIP?
- Should I consider a VoIP telephone system vs. a traditional telephone system?
- What is a key telephone system?
- What is a PBX telephone system?
- How many lines will I need for my business?
- Can I expand my phone system if my company grows?
- Is voicemail included with my phone system?
- For my voice requirements, should I have traditional copper phone lines, T1’s, VoIP phone lines or SIP Trunks?
- Should I sign a maintenance contract on my phone system?
- Should I sign a long term connectivity contract?
FAQ #1
Q: How Much Will a Phone System Cost?
A: The cost of a phone system will vary widely depending on the features, hardware, and brand. The Dr of Dialtone will provide you with a free written quote after discussing your needs. The table below shows a cost range based on equipment and installation costs for small, medium, and large phone systems.
- SMALL SYSTEM
- System with initial capacity for 4 lines by 8 stations and 6 multi-button phones = $2,500.00
- Installation = $500.00
- TOTAL = $3,000.00
- MEDIUM SYSTEM
- System with initial capacity for 8 lines by 24 extensions and 18 multi-button phone sets = $5,200.00
- Installation = $1,000.00
- TOTAL = $6,200.00
- LARGE SYSTEM
- System with initial capacity for 12 lines by 32 extensions and 28 multi-button phone sets and receptionist console = $8,500.00
- Installation = $1,700.00
- TOTAL = $10,200.00
FAQ #2
Q: Should I consider a refurbished phone system?
A: If the system you are looking at meets your Physical and Functional needs, and if we can offer the new system
as refurbished, you can expect to save 25% on the equipment (much like deciding whether to buy a new car vs. a
used car). Just make certain that the system can be software updated when and if you might need additional features.
You will need a quality system, with quality and updateable features, from a company that is well know like Panasonic
or Avaya. Keep in mind that you may You need future contact with said company for repair and support which you will not
get from a short lived cross over computer company with /no experience in telephone systems.
FAQ #3
Q: What Is VoIP?
A: VoIP "voice over internet protocol" means that voice calls travel over the internet via
converting your words into "packets" of data. This works much like your computer system that
converts your computer images into "packets" of data to be sent over the internet network.
FAQ #4
Q: Should I consider a VoIP telephone system vs. a traditional telephone system?
A: Only if you have an out of office personnel requirement and/or inter connect two physical offices.
Why? Networks, costs, technicians. Call THE Doctor for a FREE analysis of your needs.
FAQ #5
Q: What is a key telephone system?
A: KSU is a name associated with a key telephone system. A telephone system that "normally" has a
defined specific button for each telephone line that allows access to incoming and outgoing telephone calls.
FAQ #6
Q: What is a PBX telephone system?
A: PBX or “private branch exchange” is the name assigned to telephone system that is “normally”
operated by a user dialing the digit "9" to access outgoing telephone lines. The lines are arranged
in a "pool" in the central processor not on specific buttons on the telephones. Incoming calls are
normally answered by a receptionist and then transferred to a specific telephone extension.
FAQ #7
Q: How many lines will I need for my business?
A: The average business should expect to have one phone line per 2 to 3 employees.
In a large warehouse for example, 1 line to 4-5 telephones since the telephones are used
primarily for intercom not incoming and outgoing calls. However, in business where employees
are buying and selling on the phone all day, a 1 to 1 ratio is not uncommon.
FAQ #8
Q: Can I expand my phone system if my company grows?
A: We recommend at least a 50% expansion capability of the basic day one system mostly
by adding cards to the system looking forward for the first 5 years. Today’s systems will
last a “business lifetime”.
FAQ #9
Q: Is voicemail included with my phone system?
A: Most modern telephone manufacturers offer voice mail as an add-on.
Some clients still work well with an "old fashion" answering machine.
FAQ #10
Q: For my voice requirements, should I have traditional copper phone lines, T1’s, VoIP phone lines or SIP Trunks?
A: Depends upon your security and quality of service requirements, your desire for rapid
troubleshooting, and quality of voice transmission needs. Some of the newer voice services
cannot be traced thus making service and troubleshooting impossible. If you are experiencing
static, clipping, fading, or outages…beware!
FAQ #11
Q: Should I sign a maintenance contract on my phone system?
A: No. The time and materials costs are usually less with high quality systems than a service contract would be.
FAQ #12
Q: Should I sign a long term connectivity contract?
A: No. With cost decreasing daily don’t lock your company into long term connectivity contracts.
