Why Network your Telephones?

The array of features available when telephone systems are networked can largely be classed as greater staff efficiencies, realised reductions in adminstration and call costs, and better customer service. The features detailed below will provide one or a combination of these benefits.

Standardised Platforms

Staff rotating between sites will require knowledge of only one handset, and administrators will require understanding of a single system. This will reduce administration costs and improve staff efficiency, as staff will be able to utilise the full features of the telephone system regardless of their location.

Integrated Voice and Data Transmission

Networking telephone systems via VoIP allows you to transport voice and data over a single network connection. The networking infrastructure connects a company's LAN to the telephone system, and data is transferred via the lines connected to the telephone system. This solution is ideal for companies with a medium level of data traffic seeking a cost effective solution.

Automatic Callback/Camp-on/Call Forward/Call Transfer

Features such as callbacks, camp-on and forwarding or transferring of calls are standard on the majority of telephone systems, but are more complex on networked systems. However, the Siemens HiPath 3000 systems provide complete use of these features between networked sites. If you are calling a colleague interstate, and their extension is busy, a callback can be set with the same actions and results as if the colleague was in the office adjacent to yours. Your staff will be more productive, and be able to reach their colleagues efficiently.

Centralised Operator

Your organisation can nominate a particular site or extension as the primary answering point and direct calls to the appropriate extension. Your organisation may take advantage of differing time zones and public holiday schedules to extend hours and days of operation. This provides cost and staff efficiencies.

Seamless Call Overflow

If a call is unanswered at one site, it can be automatically forwarded to another location. The same advantages associated with extending operating hours and days. The caller will be completely unaware that the call has been rerouted, providing better customer service.

Potenial for Reduced Carrier Costs

If your company elects to connect sites via a leased line, the calls between offices (to the capacity of the leased line) will incur no additional cost.

Via least cost routing (LCR), the system will assess a call's destination, and will apply routing that minises the call costs. In a situation where interstate sites are connected (for example, Sydney and Melbourne), calls made from Sydney to Melbourne areas will pass through the line connecting the sites. The portion of the call between Sydney and Melbourne will be charged according to the type of connection: if the call passes over a leased line, no additional costs are incurred (subject to line capacity). The remainder of the call will be charged at the cost of a local call - Melbourne to Melbourne area.

Your expenditure on calls between sites will determine whether a leased line is appropriate for your company's requirements. Once this has been established, the actual carrier cost savings may be determined.