Everybody Is Converting To Internet Protocol (IP) Private Branch Exchange (PBX)
Wednesday, August 9th, 2006
Internet Protocol (IP) private branch exchange (PBX) is also known as voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) telephone system. It is fast replacing the old PBX system. According to industry estimates, sale of IP PBX telephone systems will reach $15 billion yearly by the end of 2007.
With an IP PBX telephone system, an employee can have an extension, hold a conference call, transfer calls, and dial coworkers. An IP PBX telephone system consists of one or more session initiation protocol (SIP)/VoIP telephones, an IP PBX server, and may also include a VoIP gateway.
SIP clients register with an IP PBX server, which makes the call. An IP PBX consists of a directory of all phones and their corresponding SIP addresses. This allows it to connect an internal call or route an external call through a VoIP gateway.
An IP PBX telephone system is designed to meet the voice and data requirements of your business. With the IP PBX, your employees can connect no matter where they are physically.
Advantages of an IP PBX telephone system
1. Multiple Branch Offices—It becomes very convenient for you to expand your business telephone system to new sites. Businesses can easily move their communication resources. VoIP allows you to traffic calls between various branches of your business through the Internet. This saves you money on long distance calls. Calling your various branch offices is as simple as dialing an extension to an office next door.
2. Reduced Cost of Long Distance Calling—If your business branches are located all over the globe, IP PBX is the most cost effective telephone system. It routes the calls over IP networks, thus significantly reducing operating costs.
3. Remote Office—Even if you have only one branch, IP PBX is still the best solution. It allows you the option of having small or large number of IP trunks.
4. Telecommuting—With IP PBX virtual office has become a reality. It allows you to connect easily with your contractors, telecommuters, and consultants, thus making them part of the corporate telephone system.
5. Versatility—Maybe you do not want to throw out your old telephone system, but you also want to plan for the future, IP PBX telephone system offers you the flexibility of using your telephone system as a traditional PBX, IP-PBX, or both.
6. Lower Infrastructure Costs—It eliminates the replication of infrastructures for wire line, wireless, and home services. It allows sharing such resources as media gateways, switches, and user directories between various branches of your business, thereby reducing equipment costs.
7. Field Support—It greatly benefits businesses whose employees are on the go. IP PBX system allows them to call from anywhere. Salesperson on trips can save thousands of dollars in long distance calls.
Features of IP PBX Telephone Systems
All IP PBX telephone systems come with the following features:
• Automated attendant
• Call menus—A good quality system will allow you to have multiple sets of menus and to change them depending on time or information gained from caller ID.
• Voicemail and voice mailboxes—Advanced systems allow you to record all outgoing and incoming calls.
• Automatic call forwarding to any number
• Call hold—Callers can be placed on hold with no drop off in queues.
• Conference calling, both internally and externally
• Web-based management and administration—You can manage your telephone system from a Web browser. You can also add end-user configuration and management functions.
Specialist help is always available to help you migrate your business from a traditional PBX to IP PBX. It offers flexible options suited to your present and future requirements.