Simply put, a business phone system allows people within an organisation to communicate internally and externally using either a traditional landline or the internet, with newer systems offering more advanced features such as call routing, auto-attendants, and conferencing.
In the UK, there’s a pretty big shift happening. Most businesses have migrated, or are in the process of migrating, their business phone systems to an internet-based system (IP). This is because the copper network, which landlines use, is being phased out and will stop working completely in January 2027.
When it comes to IP phone systems, you generally have two types to choose from: cloud-based or on-premises setups. Each has its advantages and disadvantages.
Cloud-based options are the most popular right now. They are hosted online and managed by a service provider. You just pay a monthly fee, and everything else - from setup and updates to maintenance and security - is handled for you. These systems are quick to get up and running, don’t require a big upfront investment, and make it easy to scale up or down as your business grows.
On the other hand, on-premises systems are physically located at your business and managed in-house. These give you more control over your data and the hardware itself, which can be a big deal for industries with strict data policies. That said, they usually involve a bigger upfront cost and require in-house IT expertise to keep everything running smoothly. But if your business is large and relatively stable, this type of setup might actually save you money in the long run.
Whether a system is cloud-based or on-premises, the kind of features you’re looking for, like call recording or integrations with customer relationship management software (CRM), will also play a big part in the decision. Think about how many people will be using the phones, whether you work in a highly regulated industry, how much you’re willing to spend upfront versus monthly, and whether you already have an IT team in place.
A business phone system isn’t just about making calls anymore. It can boost team productivity and improve customer service by helping you answer calls faster, keeping customers from waiting too long, and solving problems more efficiently. It’s all about making sure people can reach you easily and feel taken care of when they do.
Think your business needs a phone system, but aren’t sure where to start? Chat with our team for unbiased, expert advice on which system makes the most sense for you. Want to explore the options yourself? Have a look at Pastel’s voice services page or request a particular product brochure here.
