The non-existence of a functional phone system for small business contributes to the failure of many small businesses. Yet, studies indicate that over half of the United States small businesses do not have a phone system. Any business operating in todays global market would be wise to give careful consideration to a phone system well suited to address the constant change of the technologically enriched environment facing business owners today. Without an effective phone system, any business at any level will adversely affect its income, competitiveness, and severely limit its opportunities for growth and success.

Four major phone system for small business are available in today's business market, Private Branch Exchange (PBX), key systems, Key System Unit (KSU)-less phones, and voice over IP (VoIP). Most large businesses utilize Private Branch Exchanges (PBXs). These PBXs are massive phone systems that generally cater for more than 40 users. Any PBX system is completely programmable and comes standard with all the features you could possibly desire. While functionally PBXs are one of the best telephone systems available on the market, they are extremely expensive.

To the ordinary consumer, there is not much difference between the PBS and KSU systems. On the other hand, key systems are more common, as they cater for 5 to 40 users. Recent models of key systems usually have all the common features expected of professional systems, but are not customizable. One of its notable features is the systems ability to prevent someone for picking up and using a phone line that is already in use.

The main differences between the KSU and the KSU-Less phones are that the KSU-Less system caters to up to ten users. Further, the KSU-Less phones do not uses a central unit component as its main control device. The KSU-Less phones have the capabilities to communicate with each other built right in. One characteristic of this system worth mentioning is that it is portable.

It should come as no surprise that, in general, the telecommunication industry focuses its attention on catering to the needs and demands of large phone system for small business and organizations. Individual attempts have been made by manufacturers of PBX systems to create a system that caters to small businesses. However, scaling down the concept of the large PBX systems proved difficult. These systems required special equipment and personnel. In essence, these end products usually turned out to be dysfunctional and extremely expensive, truly not suitable for the small business industry.

Being yet another venue of economic relief for small business phone systems, the Internet remains an essential consideration. Voice over technology, the new rage in Internet phone advancements, makes economical sense for small business phone systems. Voice Over IP Telephony (VoIP) and other Internet voice over telephone systems allow young companies to significantly reduce communication costs.

One example of these VoIP type systems is TalkSwitch, a new phone system created for small and multi-location business. This all-in-one system accommodates up to 32 users.

TalkSwitch is a PBX telephone system that successfully integrated standard analog telephones, fax machines, cellular phones, and phones at different physical locations. It also includes Internet for VoIP.

The TalkSwitch phone system is an example of an ideal choice for cost conscious entrepreneurs and allows for the connection of mobile employees or remote teleworkers. Most importantly, these type of products allow the business owner to do it all themselves, in turn saving on many cost associates with maintenance of phone systems.

Another innovation appearing in the telecommunication industry is virtual PBX phone systems. This service allows new or small businesses the use of PBX systems associated with large organizations. Virtual PBXs answer calls and can reroute them to any location in the world. Needing no equipment or software to install, a virtual PBX phone system for small business offers low start-up cost and maintenance costs.

Mobile employees and telecommuters should not be overlooked, as they are becoming more commonplace in all levels of todays constantly modernizing society. As a result, new and still growing business owners should carefully seek to integrate cellular and remote access to their phone system. A professional system will offer a central system that uses one single number.

The good new is that there are some well suited phone systems for small businesses and independent professionals that are available, just hard to find. Thankfully, for small-scale entrepreneurs, the few phone systems that are available appear to be logical and effective.

When considering a system to use with your telephone, one disadvantage that should be noted is that a complete telephone system is usually not affordable. Unlike other technologies such as computers, cameras and printers that become more affordable with each passing year, complete phone systems are becoming more affordable, but at a considerably slower pace.

When you start to contemplate a suitable phone system for your business, there are certain things you should look for. The small business owner or independent professionals ideal phone system will offer all the features usually available with the telephone systems used by large organizations; but it will cost much less. Your best phone system will improve the business professional image; provide a higher level of productivity; and ensure exceptional customer service.

Because cost remains an issue of great concern for small businesses, much thought should be given to the compatibility of the phone system you are considering to your existing business equipment. Every business owner should ensure that their phone system of choice sustains all the business needs.

Not to mention, your new phone system should be something you can understand and operate easily. It should conform to your business needs, while maintaining the ability to grow along with your business. If you select a phone system that is technically demanding and requires manufacturer or third-party maintenance, you may inadvertently have committed your business to an unnecessary financial obligation, which could make or break your profit margin, especially during the first unstable years of a new business. While you will not be able to avoid the installation cost associated with your new phone system, you can reduce associated costs by choosing a phone system you can configure, customize, and maintain yourself.

As a small business professional, your ability to expand will always be a deciding factor relevant to your long-term success. This theory also applies to your companys phone system. It, too, should allow for expansion that complements each stage of growth experienced by a business.

Although taken for granted, every business owner should ensure their success by making certain the fundamental basics of that business are covered. Minor oversights, like picking an effective phone system, could condemn a business to fail before it starts.