Is a digital phone system the right choice?
When making any type of purchase it is important to consider all of the potential advantages or disadvantages which may exist, and a digital phone system is no exception. In most cases a digital phone service or system can offer a variety of conveniences and can make both personal and professional communications easier. However, as mentioned above there are also some drawbacks to consider such as lack of reliability and consistency.
Below are some examples of the most commonly found qualities and difficulties associated with using a digital phone system;
Pros:
One of the most obvious benefits of a digital phone is the ability to cut costs. In most cases a digital phone system can be combined with other office essentials such as internet access and cell phone use to save time, paperwork and most importantly money. This option is often referred to as “group-billing” and in some cases can save small offices and businesses thousands of dollars a year.
Digital phone systems can also provide incredible flexibility and can allow for those who travel to access their home phone from just about anywhere! Most digital systems are designed to allow users to control their phone’s settings, features and services through an online webpage. By visiting the website, users can perform a number of tasks including the option to forward calls to a cell phone, reply to voicemail or even change their personal mailbox message.
A digital phone system can also offer users the option to utilize their computers as personal speaker phones. The only requirement is that the pc used needs to be equipped with a microphone and is programmed to be compatible with the existing office phone systems. This option is even available with wireless internet, allowing for digital users to take advantage of the feature from their office, home, cottage, vacation or anywhere else they may be!
Cons:
There is no question that the advantages of a digital phone are impressive. However, there are also some disadvantages to consider. One of the most common is the inconvenience of power outages. Unlike traditional phone systems which use the surrounding phone lines to connect with central towers a digital phone system in most cases will rely on the electricity being supplied to a home. This connection is often compromised during many types of seasonal storms which results in communication becoming almost impossible.
Another common complaint regarding a digital phone system is voice clarity or sound interference. When using a digital phone it is quite common to experience a “jumping” voice or “cutting in and out”. These inconvenient annoyances are often due to the fact that the voice and sound of the conversation need to be converted into data-stream packets before being sent to the receiving end of the call. If the packets are arranged in the wrong order the phone must reinterpret the data and send the package through again resulting in a delayed response during the call.



