When I first entered the world of telecoms more than 20 years ago all telephone systems were virtually the same. They allowed you to make, receive and transfer calls.

If the system was large enough, this was governed by a receptionist who was - more often than not - post office trained.

In 1984, when the post office was de-nationalized and the telephone side of the business became British Telecom, companies such as ours were allowed to install and maintain telephone equipment connected to the national network.

With the shackles removed and the emergence of a myriad of manufacturers all vying to make an impact on the market place, we could finally design systems matched to each organisation's needs.

All companies operate differently, so it makes sense that their telephony requirements are designed specifically to allow them to better communicate with customers.

However, like most modern industries, we have attracted more than our fair share of buzzwords and jargon so loved by software gurus.

Acronyms such as ISDN, CLI, CMS, DDI and now SIP and VOIP, to name but a few, are flooding the industry and totally confusing the average company buyer, but boosting the ego of the now all-powerful IT man.

Of course, lots of these new services and features enhance our everyday working lives, but do you really need all these over-inflated benefits to achieve the perfect communications platform for your company or organisation? I very much doubt it.

Most companies will never see a return of investment from some of the so called "must-have" latest benefits.

The trick is to make sure that should your requirements change over the years, you have put in place the right equipment in order to future-proof your needs.

It is exactly 130 years ago this month that Alexander Graham Bell made the first phone call, and we are still ringing the changes.

* Kelvyn Gracie is joint managing director of Russell Telecom, the north's first private telecommunications company established in 1984.

The Newcastle company specializes in telecommunications sales, installation and maintenance for companies including Arriva and Bishop Auckland College.

For more information, contact Kelvyn on 0870 112 5402.

Kelvyn Gracie is joint managing director of Russell Telecom, the north's first private telecommunications company established in 1984. The Newcastle company specialises in telecommunications sales, installation and maintenance for companies including Arriva and Bishop Auckland College. For more information, contact Kelvyn on 0870 112 5402

Published: 28/03/2006