Which phone system suits an engineering firm?
Most engineering firms suit a cloud phone system, because engineers work across offices, sites and client premises. Everyone keeps one business number on a desk phone, laptop and mobile, and new sites can be added without new hardware.
Can engineers answer office calls on their mobiles?
Yes. The mobile app lets engineers make and take calls using the company number, and clients never see a personal mobile number. Calls can also ring a desk phone and a mobile together.
What is a hosted phone system for engineers?
One number follows engineers across a desk phone, laptop and mobile on a hosted phone system, also described as an internet phone system. Unified communications and cloud communications add video design reviews and messaging for site and office teams.
Can site teams use remote working phones?
Yes. Remote working phones, such as the mobile app, let engineers answer the office number from site or home. We have supplied business telecoms to engineering firms since 2004.
Can we record calls with clients and subcontractors?
Yes. Calls can be recorded automatically for chosen users or teams, which helps when instructions or variations are agreed by phone. Recordings are kept in warm storage for 30 days, extendable to 180 days, with cold storage up to 10 years.
Do we need to tell people that calls are recorded?
Yes. Callers should be told that calls may be recorded and why, usually with a short message at the start of the call and a note in your privacy policy, in line with ICO guidance.
Can we hold video design reviews on the same system?
Yes. Video meetings with screen sharing are part of the same app, letting engineers talk clients through drawings and models without switching between separate tools.
Does it work with Microsoft Teams?
Yes. Staff can make and take external calls inside Microsoft Teams, while engineers who prefer a desk phone or the mobile app stay on the same system.
How do calls reach the right project team?
Calls can go to ring groups by project, discipline or office, with a short menu for new enquiries, live projects and accounts. Changes are made online, and teams can be updated as projects start and finish.
What happens to calls when the office is closed?
Out-of-hours calls can go to voicemail, an engineer on call or a mobile rota. Voicemails arrive by email as audio and text, and nothing is missed overnight.
Can a temporary site office join the system?
Usually, yes. A site office only needs an internet connection and a few handsets or laptops, and it joins the same system as head office with its own extensions.
Can clients keep calling our current numbers?
In most cases your existing numbers can be moved to the new system, and clients, suppliers and your website listings stay the same.
Is VoIP for engineers reliable enough for site work?
With a suitable connection, yes. We check bandwidth at each office, recommend a backup line where needed, and calls can divert to mobiles automatically if a site loses its connection.
What do phone systems for engineering firms cost?
Your cost is based on how many engineers and office staff need a number, which features each role uses and the connection at each site. We quote per user each month after a brief conversation about how the firm works, and you do not have to buy a lot of equipment first.