August 28, 2006
Businesses: Choose Your IP Phones Carefully
With all the free VoIP software available, are IP phone handsets a waste of money? Not necessarily, especially if you don't have computers at work, or don't want one per employee. For a variety of reasons, you may prefer IP handsets over soft phones. But some of the pricier handsets are so overloaded with software-based features that they often end up not being used efficiently, according to a Gartner Group report studying enterprise use of VoIP. Sometimes simpler is better, and not just for the bottom line.
On the other hand, there are several scenarios where an IP display phone is useful, including the way a Japanese department store has set up hybrid VoIP/ RFID phones in their dressing rooms. What you choose for a VoIP phone has to be based on your business needs, not just desirable features. Write down a list of all the uses you intend for the phone. Then, when checking each feature of a fancy IP phone that you are considering, asking yourself whether your business would really benefit from it. Make a list and checkmark or cross off each feature, while comparing with your list. Use a red pen.
What are you left with? More crosses than checks? Maybe the phone isn't for you, or you haven't yet recognized how a certain feature might fit into your business. Are you planning on some advanced voice data applications in the future? Repeat the feature comparison with the specs from a number handset vendors, and get several people to do the same analysis. Having an easy-to-fill-in form would go a long way to uniform comparisons.
The most expensive, feature-laden IP phone is not necessarily the best for your business, even if you can afford it. But don't let a consultant decide that for you before you do your own analysis.
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