Virtually all office phone systems are bought through dealers who handle not only the sale but also the installation and programming. As a result, finding a reliable office phone dealer can be the most important part of the purchase, since any phone system you choose needs to be properly installed for optimal performance.

The most important consideration in choosing a dealer is the number of installations the dealer has completed with your system. A dealer who has installed many of the same systems will be much more familiar with the problems that can occur. Ideally, the brand you are considering should be the dealer's best seller. Knowing that the dealer is committed to the line, you can be assured of a long-term source for service.

Often, a demonstration of different office phone systems can clarify what solution is best for you. Some dealers will ask you to come to their office, and others will visit your site. Either is fine, but visiting your site also allows the dealer to get a better sense of your existing infrastructure and communication needs.

Inquire about the dealer's specific installation experience. Ask about the size of the companies involved and what options or features were added. Also obtain a list of references, including several completed in the past year, so you can ask about their experiences in detail. When it comes time to your installation, make sure the dealer sends experienced technicians to conduct the implementation.

Ongoing support of your office phone system can range from being important to absolutely critical, depending on your business. Vendors will provide a combination of warranties: the manufacturer’s guarantees of their hardware (typically three to five years) and dealer-provided service level agreements (SLAs.)

An SLA specifies how quickly the dealer will respond to a problem with your officephone system – 4 hours is fairly typical for major outages during business hours. If your business needs 24 x 7 coverage or shorter response times, expect to pay extra for these premium service levels.

Some other questions you may want to ask:

• Who will install the system – the dealer or a subcontractor?
• Who will provide training? What will training include?
• What are the costs associated with service and maintenance?
• Does the dealer provide backup during a power failure?
• Does the dealer have remote maintenance capabilities?
• What changes can we make ourselves to avoid service calls?

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