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Calls can still be taken on a traditional-looking IP desk phone, but most users opt for a headset with a desktop application or simply their mobile device. While some systems offer SIP trunking to integrate with older on-premises telephone hardware, most service providers work exclusively through the cloud with no hardware required to facilitate calls. Today’s modern phone service providers offer unified communications across phone, video, chat, text and fax with key software integrations that help companies make better use of every conversation that takes place. VoIP, or cloud-based, phone systems have largely replaced traditional landlines in business settings. This article is for business owners shopping for a new business phone system for unified communications.
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Business owners should look for communications platforms that integrate with the other productivity tools and CRM software they currently use.Most cloud-based service providers offer great call quality and reliability with uptimes of 99.999% and higher.Small businesses that need phone, video, chat, SMS and fax are turning to cloud-based business phone system providers that offer all-in-one unified communications via the internet.The best phone systems for small business use VoIP technology, which allows you to use your business internet connection for the whole system. Types of business phone systems include Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), private branch exchange (PBX) and key system unit (KSU).
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A business phone system is a multiline phone system that often includes such features as unlimited calling, automated menus, ring groups to call multiple employees simultaneously, voicemail-to-email functionality and call recording.
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