101 Tips for Telecommuters—Successfully Manage Your Work, Team, Technology and Family

89. Rarely Is a Phone Just a Phone

With so much of your telecommuting technology dependent upon telephone lines, what you need and require from your phone service provider(s) differs significantly from your needs in the not-too-distant past. Likewise, what you need in terms of capabilities in your actual phone equipment has changed dramatically. Not too long ago, a phone with 10 speed dial numbers and a hold button was fairly sophisticated. Now a telecommuter would compare the benefits of integral phone systems versus Web phones versus wireless technology.

Depending upon your needs, your budget, the level of technology sophistication of your employer, and the capacity of the phone wiring in your home, you may have the opportunity to utilize ...