There was a time when phone systems were housed in large halls where hundreds of people physically connected different phone lines with cables. When we think of a phone system today, it works differently, but the essence remains the same. Even now, a phone system essentially establishes a connection between two phone lines, but it does so without human intervention and at lightning speed. Moreover, today’s phone systems do much more, such as forwarding numbers or integrating with business software.

The costs of a business phone system can be quite high, which has led to the rise of cheaper digital alternatives that offer the same quality.

The Traditional Phone System

When new and better alternatives emerge, existing solutions are quickly labeled as ‘traditional.’ A ‘traditional’ phone system doesn’t refer to an antique phone system but rather an analog one. This means it’s a physical phone system located on the business premises. The system must be installed and maintained there, and sometimes a subscription is required to actually use the system.

The associated costs are significant. Depending on the size of the business, this can cost at least 1,000 Euros, including installation, but it can quickly rise to a maximum of 10,000 Euros. This is because, in addition to purchasing the system, a lot of work goes into the installation. After installation, a subscription may need to be purchased, depending on the number of lines used on the system and the provider, of course.

Hosted VoIP

While the phone system is considered a traditional solution, hosted VoIP is seen as the modern solution. With hosted VoIP, nothing needs to be installed on the business premises, yet all the features of a full-fledged phone system—and more—can still be used. This is because hosted VoIP is also a phone system, but it’s hosted in the cloud. For a fixed monthly fee, installation, security, and maintenance are taken care of. All you need is an internet connection to use it.

At Belfabriek, this is available at an affordable rate (45 Euros per month), with all extra features—including a menu, welcome message, and call recording—included. Discover why more and more businesses are choosing this hosted VoIP solution. Make your business flexible and future-proof.