How do you know what Music On Hold equipment to purchase and why?
For professional and reliable service, you need professional On Hold equipment. So how do you know what type of On Hold Player is right for you, or if you even need one? Well that depends on your particular telephony equipment.
Phone System:
Phone systems are generally set-up for multi-line capacity (4 lines or more), and have a main control unit where all of the phone lines are connected...These are known as a PBX (Private Branch Exchange) or KSU (Key Service Unit) control modules. You will find that most PBX or KSU control modules are installed in a warehouse, drop ceiling, closet, etc.. Most all newer phone systems, and approximately 99% of older phone systems come equipped with the capability for connecting a digital Music On Hold Player via connection to the telephone system Music On Hold port.
Standard phones and Cordless phones:
If you have pruchased your telephones from Staples, Office Max, Office Depot, Best Buy or from a consumer electronics store then the rule of thumb is you have a POTS (Plain Old Telephone Set-up) or otherwise known as KSU-Less phone. Even the newer model phones with base units and cordless hand-sets are phones that are generally purchased from an Office Supply Store or Catalog and have the capability from 1 up to a maximum of 4 incoming lines, and these phone set-ups are not Music On Hold enabled as their is no MOH (Music On Hold) audio input in which you can connect a Music On Hold Player. This type of telephony set-up requires the use of special Music On Hold Player with an integrated MOH adaptor for KSU-Less phones or in some cases can also add Music On Hold with an MOH Adaptor. It is always best to check with your Music On Hold vendor to determine which solution is required for your particular telephones.
IPBX and Hosted IPBX or Virtual Phone Systems:
As technology continues to change in the telecomm industry many businesses now have a variety of options to manage their communications while reducing their telephone bills. The move is to more technologically rich IPBX, Hosted IPBX or Hosted VOIP. IPBX systems like Cisco operates using servers very much like servers used to host websites.
These IPBX systems offer two scenarios for Music On Hold:
1. Music On Hold can be used by uploading an audio file to the server, however some IPBX systems require a specific file format such as wav, u-law, mu-law, etc.
2. Music On Hold accessibility still requires playback via a Music On Hold Player
Hosted IPBX and Hosted VOIP Business (ie. Packet 8, Aptela, Access Direct, Ring Central, etc.) systems work on the theory that server equipment is not on-site. In other words the client's actual hardware resides with their provider. In this case, adding music on hold is as simple as sending your provider an audio file for them to upload to their servers allowing you to have music on hold on your telephones.
VOIP:
With many small business or home based businesses make the switch to Voice Over Internet Protocol or better known as VOIP such as Vonage, Music On Hold is capable with this type of set-up. Similar to using an off-the-shelf or KSU-Less type telephone, Music On Hold is achieved by using a Music On Hold Player with integrated adaptor or, Music On Hold Player with an additional stand alone adaptor.