5 Ways Old Phone Systems Hurt Your Business

When a new cell phone comes out, we all jump to buy it. We want the latest and greatest tech for our personal communications, and we understand that a new phone is an investment. But for some reason, we don’t apply these same standards to our office phones. Instead, we allow old phones to take up space in our offices, and we constantly battle with them to perform simple, necessary tasks.  

You may think your old phone system is a non-issue or that replacing it will be a hassle. But the greater difficulties come from keeping a phone system you can’t use—one that often causes more harm than good. 

Here are 3 ways old phone systems hurt your business (and 3 reasons to switch to a modern system):  

Poor Communications 

Old phones simply don’t work as well as newer ones. For this reason, many companies that use older systems experience difficulties communicating. As an example, phone volume may decrease over time, and older phones are more likely to drop calls than newer ones. Sometimes, these dropped calls result from an attempt at transferring; other times, a power outage is to blame. Regardless of the cause, dropped calls mean lost business, which in turn means lost revenue, productivity… the list goes on.   

Modern phones do what they’re supposed to—they work. Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) phones ensure that you won’t miss incoming phone calls, even when your power goes out. These phones tend to have clearer sound quality than analog phones, and oftentimes, VoIP solutions are cheaper than landlines. With VoIP, all you need is a reliable internet connection, and you’ll have reliable communications wherever you go.  

Maintenance and Longevity Issues 

Most non-VOIP phones have a life expectancy of five years, whereas newer phones can last up to ten years. And while older phones might work in the most literal sense, they’re going to have some issues. Outdated phones mean outdated parts, which can be difficult to find and expensive to purchase. Plus, if you’re unable to fix the phone yourself, you’ll need to call in support, which may be just as hard to locate.  

Once you find someone to help you, the situation gets even more complicated; support will need to come to your office to work on the phone system. In the current COVID-19 climate, we all understand that, sometimes, in-person support is simply a bad idea. Additionally, in-person help requires a longer wait, which also means longer downtime. Fortunately, newer systems allow for remote assistance, which means better access to quicker help. 

Limited System Features 

As phone systems have evolved, manufacturers have added some important new features. Some of these features are nice to have, but others are business critical. For example, landlines can’t host video calls, which are essential when working remotely. They also can’t send multimedia messages or transcribe voicemail-to-text, which are both useful productivity enhancers. VoIP, on the other hand, has all of these technologies and more.   

Installing a new phone system is ultimately easier than maintaining an old one. VoIP phone systems are more reliable than landlines, and as communication needs continue to grow, it’s important that you invest in the most useful tools available. With VoIP, you’ll get a long-lasting, high-end communication system that will keep you and your employees in touch, no matter the circumstances. So, instead of allowing your old phone system to continue hurting your business, it’s time to upgrade. And Onepath can show you how.