Have a Key System Phone?

Eric Hyman Director of Product Marketing at Comcast

During the recession, many companies elected to delay investment in telecommunication infrastructure in lieu of other priorities. Some of these companies have antiquated Key Systems deployed and have yet to reap the benefits of Voice over IP (VoIP). If your phone system is a Key System, this guide may help you decide whether to maintain the status quo or switch to a cloud-based unified communications service. Companies such as Comcast Business offer alternatives to a Key System. One potential solution is Business VoiceEdge, which utilizes VoIP technology to deliver powerful features with a minimal learning curve.

Key System	Unified Communications as a Service
The phone system is decades old, potentially increasing Total Cost of Ownership through continual maintenance expenses.	A state-of-the art, fully maintained phone system with continuous upgrades delivered on your behalf – less need for a separate IT vendor to do these tasks.
All incoming calls go to a receptionist (cannot reach employees at a direct line).	Features (Automated Attendant, Hunt Groups) route calls based on your business needs, ensuring inbound callers never hear a busy signal. In addition, the Automated Attendant feature can provide general information such as a dial-by-name directory, directions, and hours of operations. Reduces the need for receptionists to answer every call, allowing them to focus on other vital projects. If a receptionist is required, a Receptionist Console provides a user interface to take calls directly and route them appropriately.
Phone has keys designated “Line 1, Line 2,” etc. If a call is placed on hold, the called party is notified to “pick up a call on Line x.”	Feature-rich service with next-generation IP phones providing greater flexibility such as “call park,” where a call can be retrieved from any phone.
Employees don’t have Direct Inward Dial numbers that can be dialed from the outside - only a main listed number in which the Key System routes calls via extensions.	Each user has a personal phone number and can be reached directly rather than via extension dialing. Users never have to wait for an available line to make a call. Mobility applications allow users to be anywhere to receive and make calls, as if they were at their desk.
Phone has a light next to each line that shows when it is in use.	Flexibility with features such as Shared Call Appearance or Receptionist Console, provide users a display to know when a particular line is in use.
Blind Transfer option only, limiting the user to dial the extension and hang up.	Multiple transfer options include Blind Transfer and Warm Transfer, where the user can consult with a peer before transferring the customer to an individual or department.
Limited phone selections.	Robust suite of phone options by leading manufacturers, from a basic 2-line telephone to a point-to-point videophone with a capacity of 24 lines.
Limited to no integration with productivity tools used by the enterprise.	Integration with key third-party desktop applications from companies such as Google and Microsoft.

Benefits of Comcast Business VoiceEdge

Comcast Business VoiceEdge is backed by the latest technological advancements and associated support, resulting in a first-class capability for its users.

Superior call quality via the Comcast network that is purpose-built to deliver Quality of Service, with a Network Operations Center providing real-time monitoring and responding proactively by continuously tracking network performance. A dedicated Voice over IP connection to the Comcast IP network is included at no additional charge assuring your voice traffic does not compete with your data traffic.

Fully-maintained cloud solution where Comcast offers a suite of Polycom HD phones, Panasonic DECT phones, and PBX features, with no replacement costs to the customer for upgrades to software or hardware.

Simply priced, cost-effective solution that is feature-rich, with advanced options such as Shared Call Appearance, Busy Lamp Field, Automated Attendant, and Voicemail offered at no additional charge. Unlimited local and domestic long-distance calling is provided.

Comcast-certified in-market technicians provide a professional service installation.

Ease of use and self-management for administrators via an intuitive web portal that allows for effortless changes to features such as Automated Attendant and Hunt Groups. Similarly, users can manage their individual phone and features such as Call Forwarding and Selective Call Acceptance.

What else can I do with Business VoiceEdge?
With the Comcast Business mobile app, users can extend the power of the VoiceEdge service by accessing a variety of advanced phone services, on either iPhone or Android.

Never Miss a Business Call
Have incoming business calls follow you by ringing a mobile or another phone.
Be alerted of new business calls and voicemail.

Use a Personal Phone to Make Business Calls
Display your VoiceEdge business number when making calls from a smartphone.
Dial quickly using either a VoiceEdge directory, smartphone directory, or business call log.

Collaboration and Productivity Applications
Audio Conferencing allows instantaneously collaboration.
Listen to business voicemail on a mobile phone, and record and select voicemail greetings.
Forward a business voicemail as an email attachment using a personal smartphone.
Companion Applications allows click-to-dial via key 3rd party applications like Google Chrome^TM, Office 365 and Skype^TMfor Business reducing misdialed calls.