Are you planning to purchase a new communication system for your enterprise? Whether you are looking at traditional telephones, cordless phones, or a VoIP system, there are a few basic points that your should consider.

First of all, it’s a good idea to make a checklist of all the features that you need, as well as extras that you might want. Evaluate your company’s requirements for features like voicemail, conference calling, and automated messaging systems, and ensure that your system of choice will be able to accomadate these requirements.

Once you have settled on a communications system that meets all of your needs and is priced reasonably, it’s worth taking the time to fully demo the system, and possibly allow your employees to try it out before making a purchase decision. Some of the things to check are ergonomics (how the phones feel in your hands), ease-of-use (for things like voicemail and system navigation), and sound quality (especially in the case of VoIP systems).

If your system of choice passes all of these basic tests, you should ensure that it is installed in an efficient and user-friendly way. It’s also a good idea to install more wiring than you will immediately need, so as to allow for expansion in the future.