The very best IP phone systems for businesses

What’s an IP phone?

IP phone systems are impressive devices you can use to make phone calls over the internet. They’re installed in offices, just like traditional landline phones, but they work using an ethernet cable or WiFi connection.

There are different types of them around. These include:

• Desk phones
• Cordless phones
• Conference phones

Basically, they look like traditional office phones. But they’re powered by modern tech thanks to the wonders of the internet.

What are IP phone systems?

Basically, IP phone systems are the way to communicate digitally.

The result is a fast-flowing communication network that lets your business easily keep in touch as a workforce, with clients, and customers.

Traditionally, telephone systems worked through a circuit-switched telephony system. That was all fine and dandy in the 20th century.

But these days having a cutting-edge communication network is what’ll keep your business competitive, trading, and selling faster than ever before.

The types of IP phone systems

Just so you know, there are two types available. They are:

• On premises: With this choice, all your equipment and hardware for making calls needs to be at your workplace. You get total control with this option, choosing the types of lines, or adding and changing connections.
• Cloud-based: This virtual option is where a third-party takes over control for you. They handle the setup and maintenance, while you take advantage of the features provided to you. Costs and the type of options you get will vary from one provider to the next.

Which one you want to use really depends on your business needs!

If you go for on premises, you get total control. But do you have the resources around to manage it day-in, day-out?

If not, then a cloud-based IP phone system is likely the best solution for you. You don’t get total control, but all the other fiddly bits are managed for you by industry experts.

The best IP phone systems on the market

What’s the best comms system available? Well, we’re here to help you make the best choice for your circumstances. Check out this list and then compare the market!

NFON is great for bigger businesses

NFON is designed to take your communication suite into the cloud.

The platform focuses on working smart, combining cloud technology with features like:

• Voicemail
• Call queues
• Screensharing
• CRM connection
• Security features
• 150+ extensions
• 24/7 customer support

From one inbox and number, your employees will easily be able to stay in contact wherever they are in the world.

Businesses will find NFON easy, flexible, and reliable to use.

You can even setup call routing strategies to make your communication process more efficient, like being available for customers at all times or guiding callers with pre-set rules.

That means it’s really a great choice for medium-large businesses. If you’ve got a lot of employees, then it’ll help everyone keep in touch while also making sure customers or clients are dealt with in timely fashion.

So, in summary, the highlights for NFON are:

• 60 compatible CRM systems
• A flexible payment policy (you pick the features you want)
• Compatibility with Android and iOS

There are some downsides, like its lack of compatibility with Chromebook, iPads, and Linux. Plus, it can take a while to setup. And it’s not really suited for smaller businesses.

But, if you’re looking for an enterprise-level IP phone system then NFON offers great value for money and a platform that’ll keep your business super streamlined.

NFON’s pricing is based on the features you pick. So, it’s really down to what you need as a business.

Wildix is a great all-rounder choice

Wildix styles itself as the first sales-orientated, unified communications solution.

What that means is you can use it to push your communications to the next level! With its cloud-based browser approach, you get:

• Live chat
• Webinar and video conferencing
• Smart remote working solutions
• Global calls from the cloud
• Smartphone compatibility
• Easy CRM integration

For the whole kit and caboodle, it’s an impressive deal and one ideally suited to businesses of all sizes. SMEs or larger organisations will find Wildix to work like a charm for them, minus any major company-wide installations. It’s all from the cloud.

Downsides? Well, it’s not available on all browsers. But if you have Firefox 21, Opera 12, Google Chrome 27, Safari 6, and IE 10 then you’re sorted.

However, the cost of all this can be a bit higher than other providers.

Prices depend on the features you choose, so compare the market for a quote before you make any big decisions on this one.

Gamma Horizon is ideal for total control

Gamma Horizon is for businesses looking for total control over their communications.

It’s a hosted phone system with a complete infrastructure to take advantage of. Cloud-based, you get a system built for businesses you access through a web portal.

With this platform, you get the following features:

• 360° management of your entire communication needs, whether across multiple sites or one-off users
• A business-grade network ideal for small businesses or major organisations
• Ultra-high-quality audio on the same level as fixed lines
• End-to-end service to manage all your needs, from installation through to training
• Platform personalisation to get you on brand super-fast

Gamma Horizon is also scalable for your business’ needs.

And it’s quite an affordable package, often involving a free phone, free installation, and free unlimited calls from as little as £12.50 month.

So, it’s a solid package for any type of business and well worth a look.

8×8 Express is ideal for small businesses

If you want an IP phone system for small businesses, then you can’t go wrong with 8×8 Express. The platform styles itself as the go-to place for SMEs.

As part of your package, you get these features:

• Unlimited domestic calls
• Unlimited video conferencing
• Unlimited chat
• Team messaging
• File sharing
• Advanced call management
• Meeting recording and transcription

Any downsides? Well, it’s not the best service for international calls. Larger businesses would likely want to look elsewhere for more advanced features.

But, again, 8×8 is mainly for small businesses looking for a near top of the range platform at a great price. As it’s one of the best priced options on the market.

The platform says you can save up to 50% over other platforms.

In fact, you can get a complete phone system, dedicated business number, meetings, and messaging service for as little as £10 a month. The first month is also free as part of a trial period. Sounds good? Scan for a deal!

Avaya has great flexibility for any business

Avaya’s key strength lies in its flexibility.

It has a big range of features, it’s easy to integrate them, and even its pricing is flexible to suit any business needs.

Its range of features include:

• A comprehensive suite of features, meaning you get calls, video conferencing, screensharing, and much more
• Full scalability for any business size
• Team collaboration tools
• Customise to meet your business goals

The cloud-based platform is all about embracing a digital, remote, and hybrid future and putting you in control of comms.

Downsides? Well, it’s only available in some countries. To take advantage of Avaya, you’ll need to check whether you can use it.

But if you’re in the UK, you can use the platform and take advantage of all the features we’ve listed above.

IP phone system advantages

Yes, so decking your workplace out with cloud-based comms brings with it many benefits.

You’ve seen all the features we’ve listed above with NFON, Wildix, Gamma Horizon, 8×8 Express, and Avaya. What other benefits do they all provide you as IP phone systems? Let’s have a gander.

Money saving tech

For long-term savings, there’s no deny IP phone systems are the best choice for any business.

As IP phones use the internet, there’s no need for copper wiring running around your office to enable analogue signals. All you need is the WiFi in your business and you’re good to go.

Plus, calls from the phones are free to make across the network.

Unlimited real-time calls

On traditional landlines, to make more than one call from the same phone you’d need a different number. This was a “rollover line”.

These days, with a fancy cloud IP phone system, you’ve got unlimited access to as many calls as you like. The only limit you have is the number of phones and people around to take the calls.

To manage demand, you can even setup a phone queue system so you won’t have customers missing out on their turn. Just make sure you get some soothing music like Greensleeves on a loop for when they’re on hold.

And there’s more good news—this feature saves you even more money! That’s because you don’t have to pay for rollover lines like you had to in the past.

Modern design and UI

IP phone systems are packed out with features that make day-to-day life easier.

They just have a much better functionality than landline phones, with accessible interfaces that let your employees do their jobs with ease.

And they’re packed out with advanced features that make daily life a cinch. Including:

• Advanced call routing
• Call queues (don’t forget to get Greensleeves ready)
• Call recording (great for training purposes etc.)
• Instant messaging
• Video conferencing

Basically, it’s much more than a standard telephone.

It meets a huge variety of modern business needs and it lets you do them all seamlessly and with the minimum of hassle.

Total comms flexibility

Wherever there’s an internet connection, you can use your comms system.

IP phones are incredibly flexible for use. You can unplug one, take it to somewhere else (like your home office), plug it in, and everything will be ready.

So this is great for busy businesses with staff regularly in the office or working remotely. Hybrid and remote work are now very common, so IP phone systems really simplify communication needs.

Get your IP phone system today

IP phone systems are affordable, flexible, and very easy to use.

You can use multiple tools on a single platform, ensuring your team can use desk phones, mobiles, and desktop apps. Plus, there’s video conferencing, chat, screen share, and more thrown into the bargain.

And whatever plans you have, it’s scalable to your business needs further down the line, future-proofing your goals.

Ready to make the shift? Compare the market today for the deal that suits you best.