| There are three major types of phone system | | | | business phone system, rather than become |
| available: KSU-Less phones, Key systems and Private | | | | susceptible to the risks of a KSU-Less system. |
| Branch Exchange (PBX) systems. Which type of | | | | Private Branch Exchange (PBX) systems |
| phone system you choose will depend on the amount | | | | If your business typically requires more than forty |
| of extensions you require and the features your | | | | extensions, or your needs dictate you need advanced |
| telephone system needs to have installed. | | | | functions from your business phone system, then PBX |
| KSU-Less systems | | | | systems are often the solution. PBX systems used to |
| KSU-Less systems are usually more suited to | | | | be extremely expensive and only affordable by huge |
| companies that typically have less than ten employees, | | | | corporations with hundreds of extensions. Though this |
| or require less than ten extensions. That isn't to say | | | | is still the case for larger installations, the development |
| that all companies requiring less than ten phone | | | | of the technology required has progressed to the point |
| extensions can make do with a KSU-Less system. It | | | | where a powerful, fully functional PBX office phone |
| may be that you require more features which are only | | | | system for a small business is able to fit on the top of |
| available through either a PBX or Key phone system. | | | | a desk. |
| Requiring a far lower initial investment than the other | | | | Nearly all these compact PBX phone systems come |
| types of business phone systems, KSU-Less phones | | | | with all the features you might want as standard. You |
| are specifically designed to include many of the | | | | pay a premium for the programmability and flexibility |
| features usually only available through the | | | | that a PBX offers, but in most cases the price |
| implementation of a full small business phone system. | | | | difference is not as much as you may imagine |
| KSU-Less systems can be easily unplugged and | | | | between that of a less flexible phone system. |
| relocated, because they are not permanently wired | | | | Key Systems |
| into your office. This portability allows you to treat a | | | | Key phone systems are more typical in businesses |
| KSU-Less phone system, much the same as any | | | | that require five to forty extensions. This type of |
| business machine, rather than a lost permanent | | | | phone system uses a central control unit called the |
| investment. | | | | Key System Unit (KSU) to provide features and |
| You will need to ensure that any KSU-Less system | | | | functions that are not available using ordinary phones. |
| you choose is compatible not only with the type of | | | | An example of this is: key systems using a KSU allow |
| wiring you have in your office, but also with any | | | | one extension to call another in house extension, and |
| accessories you may already have, such as: headsets, | | | | prevents any other users from picking up a line that is |
| answering & fax machines and modems. | | | | already in use. Key systems usually come as standard |
| Because KSU-Less phone systems are relatively | | | | with most features any business would expect, but in |
| inexpensive, they are not usually sold, installed, or | | | | some cases they are often less flexible than a PBX |
| maintained by telecoms vendors. | | | | phone system. |
| All of this means, you have to go out there and do not | | | | PBX & Key Systems (hybrids) |
| only the shopping yourself but, also the installation and | | | | Though Key and PBX systems have some different |
| support. This is one of the two major drawbacks of | | | | technical features, these differences have become |
| KSU-Less systems. The last thing any business needs | | | | somewhat blurred over the past couple of years. |
| is to be concerned with the reliability and maintenance | | | | Many Key systems now offer features that were |
| of its phone system. Another drawback of KSU-Less | | | | once only available to those who chose to install a full |
| systems is that they are more prone to something | | | | PBX phone system. Some systems also operate |
| known as "crosstalk". This is where separate | | | | internally as either a PBX or Key system depending on |
| conversations may blend into each other. With PBX, | | | | the software installed. Sometime these systems are |
| Key systems and Hybrid systems falling in price, it | | | | often referred to as "Hybrid" phone systems. |
| sometimes makes more sense to invest in a full | | | | Thanks for reading. |