Nail Down Requirements and Features (Score 1)

The best piece of advice I can offer is understand as best you can how the business will be using the system. How large will it need to be, will it be growing? What kind of availability is required? What extra features are you looking for, voice mail, conference bridges, ivr, acd, etc?

We have 5 phone systems, 3 of which are replicated accross 3 local call centers for load balancing and redumdancy. We have 3 Avaya systems, 3 Aspect systems, 3 Periphonics IVR's, a Concerto Unison and Concerto Contact Pro product. Reliability and redudancy are huge for us, a big piece of our business is a 24x7 call center that handles 3 million inbound calls plus another million or two outbound calls a month.

Unix systems were a must!!! They simply don't have problems. They are the most reliable systems I have ever seen. Period.

However, this may be overkill for you. If you understand what you are looking for and do your homework you will be ok.

BTW -- Telecom is one of the easiest ways to cut costs and impress your boss.

good luck