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Get free accessIf your business needs a new business phone system, it can be difficult to know where to start as you look to upgrade. There are a lot of options on the market—but which one is right for you? We’ve compiled all the information you need right here to ensure your business makes the right call.
Why do I need a business phone system?
For businesses in Birmingham, there are two key areas of focus here: saving time and saving money. The right business telephone system will ensure you can do both at the same time.
It doesn’t matter if you’re part of a small team or the head of an expanding department, finding an efficient solution is crucial—one that doesn’t involve increasing headcount in the wrong places or investing in expensive software solutions. A business phone system helps you do exactly that: keep costs down and productivity high.
Types of business phone systems
Let’s explore the types of systems you could be using and you can assess which one suits your business needs best. Don’t let the technical speak put you off—without it, you may end up with a system that doesn’t work for you.
Fortunately, we’ve kept this as simple as possible: a two-minute read, covering four of the major options on the market. And remember, if you need more detail, you can always check out our blog.
Analogue
A traditional telephone system, transmitting voice signals over copper wires.
PBX
Also known as Private Branch Exchange. Multiple analogue phone cables combine to give each one the ability to support 23 individual lines.
IP PBX
Almost identical to the PBX, except the voice signals travel via the internet instead of physical cables.
VoIP phone system
Short for Voice over Internet Protocol, run through the cloud. VoIP technology allows you to share information between your phone system and other software tools, enable remote work and virtual call centre capabilities, and unlock new competitive advantages.
Why do I need to switch to a cloud-based system?
By December 2025, all phone systems in the UK will be digital. No, that’s not a prediction—it’s a fact determined by the government in its bid to update the country’s communication network. Once the Public Switch Telephone Network—PSTN—is shut down, every phone line will operate on a digital network.
As businesses begin to face more challenges, the phone system revamp offers some positive news: digital phone systems are proven to be far more efficient, as well as cost-effective. With this in mind, why not take the leap now and get ahead of the competition?
Choosing a business phone system that works
Deals. Discounts. Trials. Offers. Referrals. When you make it known that you need a new business phone system, you’ll have the pick of any and all of the above from a whole host of providers looking to secure your custom. But how do you know which ones are worth your while?
This list below runs through a few of the key things to consider—and be wary of—as you’re making your decision. And if you want to learn more about the stuff we cover, we’ve compiled an in-depth blog post that does exactly that.
Free trials and demos
Take the opportunity to learn more about the product and see it in action. Aircall offers both of these; a seven-day free trial, or a demonstration from one of our experts.
Flexible, transparent pricing
Ensure service costs are clear and you know what you’re paying for. Ask questions about cost per user per month, billing frequency, the minimum number of users, and customisable plans.
A wide range of integrations
Your phone system should work with your current software stack—not in parallel to it. Check that you can integrate your customer service, sales, and CRM platforms before taking the plunge.
Top-tier support
Help should be on hand to answer any questions to ensure things run smoothly at all times. Make sure your potential vendor offers great support for when you need it.
Honest customer reviews
Most providers will have customer reviews on their site, but do they paint a full picture? Be sure to check third-party sites like G2 for a real idea of the service you’re about to invest in.
What VoIP means for your business
Now that you've covered the services that may be available, it's time to consider the advantages. This will help you understand exactly what to expect when implementing a business phone system.
Every business has its own set of priorities and problems to solve, and yours is no exception. We've compiled a list of five of the most important factors to consider as you begin your market research.
Lower costs, lower call rates
System installation and maintenance are significantly less expensive than wired alternatives. Many providers offer bundles that include unlimited local calling as well as discounted international minutes.
Easy-access remote working
Make and receive calls from multiple devices around the world (as long as you’ve got access to a stable internet connection, of course).
A system that scales with you
If your business needs change, so will your phone system needs, but this doesn’t need to be a problem. Increase or decrease the scale of your solution with a few clicks, to whatever your new circumstances require.
Multitasking, simplified
Just because you’re on a call, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have access to everything you need when you need it. Transcribed voicemails, message forwarding, and viewing a customer or prospect's status in your CRM or sales software can all be done in one place, even while on the phone.
Call quality? Top priority
Want to get technical? VoIP systems use lossless algorithms to compress audio and video while maintaining quality. The end result? 99.9% of the time, connection speed and reception remain at optimal levels.
What features will be beneficial to my business?
You’ve checked the services. You’ve checked the benefits. Now, you’re at the final frontier: the product. This is where you can really get your hands dirty, mapping your business needs against the phone system that suits you best.
Below, we explain exactly what phone system providers mean when they refer to the features you'll want to use every day. From here, you can begin comparing the offerings of the providers you've identified.
International numbers
Claim local and international numbers for your business in 100+ countries—even if your team works a continent away.
Call routing
Direct calls to the correct teammates every time through customised distribution and ring rules.
Interactive Voice Response (IVR)
Set up a smart directory that automatically guides callers to the correct team on their first try.
Warm transfer
Give your team the ability to quickly speak to one another before transferring a live call.
Call queuing
Give inbound callers the option to remain in a queue until one of your agents is available to talk.
Call recording
Review call recordings to help confirm details, monitor quality, and guide training sessions.
PowerDialer
Sales reps can quickly compile a list of numbers and call them all in just one click—completely integrated with your CRM.
Analytics
Keep track of your call centre metrics—such as waiting time, missed call rate, and call volume—all in one place.
Why choose Aircall for your business in Birmingham?
Finding a provider that best suits your business needs isn’t easy, but hopefully all the information we’ve provided acts as a valuable resource while doing so.
With that in mind, it’s almost time to make your decision. But before you do, we’d like to give you one last helping hand. Here’s what Aircall can offer you:
Dedicated local support
With a team based in the UK, we’re always on hand to assist with anything you need—from implementation and setup, to scaling with your business, and beyond.
Set up in seconds
Whether for your sales team, support team, or both, Aircall can be set up in minutes. Ensure all your staff onboard successfully, with step-by-step instructions and a whole host of resources to get up to speed in no time.
Connect your tools
Integrate with your CRM system, helpdesk solutions and hundreds more platforms businesses like yours use every day.
VoIP in Birmingham and Nearby Cities: Aircall has you covered.
Aircall's VoIP phone system is available in Birmingham, and other cities in the UK, including:
Try Aircall for 7 days for free to experience the platform for yourself, and discover exactly what the benefits of VoIP can bring to your team.
