Do I need to spend money on desk phones?

The choice between physical desk phones, leveraging apps on existing devices, or investing in video phones depends on your business’s specific needs, budget, and the desired flexibility of your cloud collaboration system. Considering the necessary hardware is crucial when adopting a cloud-hosted calling system or any call system. For your cloud collaboration system, you have several options regarding phones.   

• App-Based Calling: One of the major advantages of cloud-hosted calling systems is the ability to use a desktop or smartphone app. This option allows you to utilize existing technology, avoiding the significant costs often associated with deploying cloud-hosted calling systems. It also offers the flexibility for users to take their business phones anywhere. For optimal audio quality, investing in reliable headsets, which cost between $100 and $400, is advisable and remains more cost-effective than traditional desk phones.  

• Purchase Desk Phones: Traditional desk phones remain a favored choice for many businesses. Each Unified Communications as a Service (UCaaS) platform supports specific phone models (e.g., Webex Calling is compatible with their 7800 and 8800 series phones). Prices start at about $150 for a basic model and can exceed $1,000 for models with advanced features like call monitoring, video, and Bluetooth capabilities. Compatibility varies across UCaaS providers, with support for brands like Cisco, Poly, and Grandstream and pricing reflects the feature set of each device.  

• Invest in Video Phones: For businesses aiming to enable video calls via dedicated video phones, there are numerous options across a spectrum of costs. Video-enabled desk phones typically range from $400 to $600, whereas external monitor video phones are priced around $12,000. For larger video conferencing needs, camera kits designed for meeting spaces start at approximately $12,000 and can go up to $80,000 for more extensive setups.  

  Learn more about Universal Connectivity’s business phone systems.