Typically, most companies small or big use a phones system called Pbx or "Private Branch Exchange" which must be purchased, located and managed at your office.  The expense of a standard system (Pbx) for an small office is typically two to ten thousand dollars given the extent of the features and number of lines needed. (why? hardware costs?)

Typically a third party must learn how to program and maintain the system.  Customer service may be available, but most providers charge a fee for each service call.

But now, there is an alternative.  Providers such as PrismNet include all basic phone services and much more.  There is no hardware (Pbx server) at your office and all the services such as automated forwarding, voice mail to email, automated attendant levels, hold music and even automated call history are just some of the added features beyond traditional services.

As many of you know, startup companies and some small companies are utilizing home offices now to save rent costs and this includes their staff.  Just because a company is down sizing or working from a remote location does not mean their voice system should suffer or downsize their capabilities.  A hosted virtual Pbx provides a big business setting right from your home-office, small office, or virtual office.

For example: As an incoming call is made, it can be answered by a human being (from home) or by an auto attendant, which in turn allows the individual or chosen extension to transfer the call to the appropriate individual wherever they may be.  The obvious impression is that the office and all the staff are  in one location.

The transfer itself can be to India, Dallas, Texas or even China.  The individual making the call would not know the difference; it would appear that they are calling a standard office setting.

Another feature that many don’t know about is that once you are in the system and set up, you can take your IP phone with you any where you go, with an internet connection that phone will ring just like you’re in the office itself.

Not only are people saving money on rent and other costs associated with a business office, but you would have the flexibility to add as many users as needed with out the added costs associated with a traditional Pbx system.