Let’s break down the selection process a bit to start with. Here are some categories:

• Software phones
• Desktop phones
• WiFi desktop phones
• DECT phones
• WiFI portable phones
• Analogue adaptors

Software phones
We’re all used to carrying around a smartphone these days and it seems a shame to have to carry around yet another piece of kit so you can make calls on your phone system.
The solution is a software phone. You can download several different types from your relevant app store and we can recommend CSipSimple and Zoiper. You can see our instructions for setting them up on your Rosetta Telecom Virtual Phone System by clicking on the links.

Having a software phone app on your mobile means that you can receive calls directly onto your phone with no divert charges and also transfer calls to other extensions. You can do pretty much everything you would on a physical handset. A great advantage, however, is that you can make outbound calls through your phone system and the call will be charged to your phone system and will show up with your company phone number. This can make you look very professional when you are sitting in a coffee shop having a well earned break!

Another use for software phones is when you may spend a lot of time at your computer, e.g. in a customer care role. You can install an app, e.g. Zoiper, and then use a plugin headset to speak to your callers. In this way you leave your hands free to use the computer or to take take notes.

Desktop phones
These are what most people think of when they talk about phone extensions. Your desk phone could be a simple one, with a colour screen and a few speed dials, right up to a large receptionist phone with loads of buttons that tells you who is on the phone before you try and put calls through to them.

You can even plugin a hard wired headset or use a bluetooth earpiece on some of them.

We tend to recommend Grandstream phones as they are good value and have plenty of features to make using them much easier. The Rosetta Telecom Virtual Phone System is programmed to automatically configure some desktop handsets so that you can easily make changes from our web control system.

WiFi desktop phones
A really useful type of desktop phone is one that connects to your network via WiFi. You get all the features of a quality desk phone but with no need to run a network cable back to your broadband. The handset can be relocated anywhere there is a power point and WiFi coverage.

DECT phones
Most portable phones used these days are DECT phones. They work by having a base station and a number of handsets that connect to the base station wirelessly.

Our DECT base stations plug in to your network and allow you to use the handsets within a set distance (50m indoors and further outdoors) without wires. Each handset comes with a charging dock so that you can top it up with power.

These phones are handy in a small office where you need flexibility between users without having loads of handsets and wires.

WiFI portable phones

An alternative to using a DECT portable phone is the WiFI portable. With these handsets you don’t need a base station as they connect using your existing WiFi. Each phone comes with a charging dock.

Unlike a DECT system, you are not limited to a quantity of handsets but, more importantly, you are not limited to range. Wherever your WiFi network covers, your phone will work.

If you don’t have a good quality WiFi network then we can recommend our parent company, The Rosetta Group Ltd, who can help you design and install a quality system with multiple networks including a guest restricted network.

Analogue adaptors
Sometimes there is a need to have an old fashioned, analogue extension on your system. This might be to make use of an existing phone (DECT or hard wired), to add an external ringer to let you know of incoming calls, or to connect multiple room phones e.g. in a hotel.

In these circumstances we can supply a digital to analogue adaptor which plugs into your network and allows you top plugin 1 or more analogue handsets.

When you use an analogue phone you will not be able to access all the feature that the other phones described can but there are times when that sacrifice is acceptable.

If you need any help making your choice about what phones to use then please get in touch.