Advice on Small Business Phone System ?

Edwards Finance > Phones

Q. I have looked at Nortel CICS, but I don't think I can have the fax and digital answering machine on the system with out having an expensive analog card. I don't like the idea of a dedicated fax line. We are a small office and currently only have two lines that trunk with DSL and fax on the second line, so I would like to have the possibility of trunking over to that third line on the system.

A. The no-longer-available Nortel 6x16 sounds like it will suit your current needs and are very affordable on E-Bay right now (used), but ... I do not believe this system is expandable beyond 6 lines and 16 extensions. Also, purchasing used equipment w/o warranty is a risky propostion. You could end up with a smoking hunk of plastic and no recourse. I recommend to clients on a budget a new KSU (system) and used or re-furbished phones. That's a relatively safe way to save $$$. I have rarely seen Nortel phones go bad, regardless of age. You CAN run your fax machine and answering machine on any phone system by installing them between the CO lines and the system. Only problem (without dedicated fax #) is knowing when an incoming fax arrives (fax switch might help). Also, the Nortel CICS has a built in ATA port that can be programmed to ring an answering machine or fax if you so desire. The Nortel CICS (8 x 16 configuration) is a very good investment and can be had NEW with NEW phones for slightly more than your budget. Programming is user-friendly (even with "non-techhies") You can program the CICS to ring independently on different lines, in effect running 2 ~ 3 offices from one system. Cost can be recovered/reduced by leasing system access to other tenants in building. You can also add voice mail to this system. Older 6 x 16's do not work with newer StarTalk boxes. I guarantee you will be very happy with the Nortel CICS. Have you considered the AT&T 4-line "KSU-less" phones? Model numbers are 944, 954 & 964 (about $89 ~ $129 @ Office Depot). I recently installed 4 of these in a new chiropractic office (in conjunction with fax/dsl/ans. mach.) and the client is very pleased. These can do almost everything a phone system can do (hold, transfer, MOH, conference) and are expandable up to 12 unique extensions. My advice: Trying to save money on phone systems by "doing-it-yourself" can lead to more expense and headaches down the road (I certainly wouldn't try to adjust myself!). Call 3 ~ 4 "phone guys" in your area (ask for references!) and have them compete for your business. You will save money in the long run and can concentrate on your profession.

Ask Edwards a Finance Question

Other Questions:

VOIP/IP based phone systems?

We currently use Voice Over IP pretty heavily in our office and are in need of a phone system. We could go with a traditional phone system and just plug our VOIP lines into it I guess??I have been thinking a lot lately about looking into some sor...

According to our records, the telephone number we have on file to bill your BellSouth Internet Service, is no longer a valid BellSouth telephone number. This may occur when you move to a new address, change your telephone number or you change ...

We are a small business with 5 tel. lines, 1 SDSL connection. I was approached by a VoIP vendor regarding a VoIP based product that would cut our phone bills by 1/2. I haven't looked at it yet. I am just looking for the main advantages/drawback...

Does anyone know why the various PBX vendors insist on continuing to sell their own proprietary multi-line digital telephones instead of standardizing on ISDN? I realize that the vendors need to support their installed base, but it seems ...

We had 2 DSL lines installed by GTE a couple of months ago. They required me to add new trunks for each circuit since they said they could/would not attach the pots side to my Rolm PBX. I could see no reason why they could not be connected, so ...

Edwards Finance Menu

Ask a Question
About Us / Me
Contact Me
Privacy Policy

Sitemap

My Favorite Sites

PFBlog
Google Finance
Yahoo Finance
Motley Fool
Nveille's Financial Blog
AllFinanceMatters
Free Money Finance
2MillionBlog
The Terror Finance blog

Q&A Subjects