Why Choosing The Right Business Phone System can jumpstart your business in 2023.

Communication is more important than ever. If you’re just now starting a small business, bouncing back, or you’ve been able to maintain a business in 2022, congratulations. You’ve come a long way.

Now that you’ve about made it through the year, you’re looking ahead to 2023. As a small business owner, you might be thinking about upgrading or replacing your smartphone or even some employees’ smart devices. Regardless, you want to be sure you are right-sizing devices for your team’s needs to support a mobile, productive workforce. It may be time for a change through upgrading, replacing, or adding a line. And, since there are so many smart device choices, there’s a lot to consider and it’s rarely a one-size-fits-every-business answer.

Researching devices and service-related choices takes time. And for you as a small business owner, time is money. Turning to an expert advisor can help you better assess your business needs and understand your options to make the right, affordable choice when it comes to selecting business devices. T-Mobile for Business wants to make it easy for you to evaluate your options, and the following checklist can help you determine next steps to making your next device decisions.

Manufacturer & Operating System. You’ll first want to take operating systems into consideration. The two operating systems from which to choose are still iOS and Android, and while iOS is exclusive to Apple devices, the Android operating system is built into many smart device brands. The question is: which operating system is more familiar for you and your employees? If you plan to upgrade any devices, it may be best to stick with the brand or platform you already use to minimize any downtime. On the other hand, if you are adding new employees and purchasing their devices, it can help to ask if they may already have an operating system and brand preference to reduce the learning curve.

Battery. It’s still a key consideration, especially for mobile employees. Whether you have employees traveling locally or to remote locations, they need a device with enough battery life to keep pace with changing business needs. Things to think about include how often your employees are talking to customers, joining video calls, or accessing files from the cloud; do their current devices work all day or is charging needed throughout the day; and if you have field employees who are at a site for an extended length of time. In general, consider that some employees may need a device with a longer battery life when comparing manufacturer’s claims.

Storage. Device storage generally ranges from 16GB–128GB. Considering data-intensive demands will likely only continue if not grow for your people and their devices, it’s important to select devices with enough storage so your team can get work done without big changes to their routine. However, stock storage capacity is less important on the device itself now as you have options. For example, you can select a device with an expandable storage slot for an SD card. Similarly, the cloud might meet your needs for extra storage and may be available at minimal cost or come with a provider’s plan at additional cost.

Camera. Most smartphones now come standard with a high-quality camera that works well for most tasks. If your employees rely on their smartphone cameras to get the job done for things like delivery documentation, taking inventory, or capturing insurance photos, devices with standard cameras will suffice. Some smartphones have pro-grade cameras but may not be necessary unless your employee’s job requires very high-resolution photos. However, this is another time to think about cloud storage so you can virtually share large files and documentation photos without taking up physical storage space on devices.

5G Network. While your team’s devices might be on 4G LTE right now, you’ve likely heard a lot about 5G. But do you know how 5G could help your type of business? If you are looking to further mobilize or grow your business in 2021, you may want to look at what 5G now has to offer. If you are looking to the future and want to purchase something with staying power, look for 5G-enabled phones with a fast, reliable 5G network to match. For instance, T-Mobile has the largest 5G network and 5G access included in every plan, and T-Mobile offers a variety of 5G-enabled devices to meet different needs and price points.

Customer-First Plans. Flexible pricing matters and phone plans are no exception. Don’t just search for the lowest price on plans or phones, shop for the most benefits for the value. For example, “unlimited talk, text, and data” are becoming staples for many small businesses, so check out the available extras to ensure your team is on a plan that supports your collective needs.

As you are planning and making your business device decisions, realize that with T-Mobile for Business, you and your employees are gaining an entire experience including the largest nationwide 5G network, unparalleled service and support and, lasting value for the life of your devices.

Take your business to the next level by contacting us at 1-855-766-6128 or find a store near you and schedule an appointment with a mobile expert.