Most PBX equipment is nearing the end of its lifecycle as many hotels purchased their PBX system 10-15 years ago. Like any aging technology, it requires ongoing maintenance which is getting harder and more expensive to provide.
Most of us don’t want to think about our business phone system. If you are a hotelier, whether owner, operator, management company, or brand franchisee, it is likely the last thing you are considering in the new year is a phone system unless you are forced to do so. However, an effective and reliable method of communication is a cornerstone of any successful business, but even more so in hospitality. It is the lifeline to your customers and staff, both onsite and off-property.
If you are new to your property, you may only have been given a cursory overview of the existing phone system. Some PBX equipment is so old that staffing has likely changed many times since the system was installed. If that is the case, you may be heading towards an uncomfortable awakening since most PBX equipment is nearing the end of its lifecycle. While leasing business equipment has been a standard practice for years, many hotels purchased their PBX system 10-15 years ago. Like any aging technology, it requires ongoing maintenance, often an average of 25 hours of service a month.
As the expense of maintaining an ongoing service contract continues to grow, this aging technology is fading fast. Many hoteliers are finding it more and more expensive to repair existing equipment as parts become difficult to obtain. It’s like keeping grandma’s old black-and-white television going or using a modem and dial-up to communicate with the outside world.