New Internet Protocol (IP) PBX (Private Branch Exchange) phone systems offer many features that will enhance worker productivity and customer satisfaction. By cleverly combining internet access and computer adaptability with the latest in phone systems capabilities for messaging and routing calls, users are assured of making and staying in contact using phone systems with much-needed employees, superiors, and an ever-increasingly global customer base.
What Is the Difference Between PBX and IP PBX Phone Systems?
Traditional PBX phone systems have evolved to adopt the benefits of Internet Protocol (IP) technology in the changing landscape of business communication.
Delivery of Service
Traditional PBX phone systems operate using a local PTSN through a landline. PBX phone systems allowed businesses in the past to work multiple phone lines and extensions to streamline business communication without the need for a switchboard. With new technology, IP PBX phone systems can transmit calls via an internet connection with less hardware required. IP PBX phone systems are also better options for businesses due to frequent automatic updates by the service provider.
Scalability
It is safe to assume that once traditional phone systems are in place, they will stay that way. Adding and removing new users to a standard network would require more equipment investment and professional help. Meanwhile, when using IP PBX phone systems, businesses can add or remove users as needed and scale up or down based on business demands.
Workforce Flexibility
It is important to note that traditional PBX phone systems are limited to the premises on which they are implemented. Whereas IP PBX phone systems can be used anywhere by authorized use of a web browser, giving employees more freedom where they work from. As businesses have moved towards a mobile workforce because of the changes in the last few years, it is essential to implement phone systems solutions to increase employee accessibility, not create barriers.
Reliability
This is where a traditional PBX phone system might trump IP PBX phone systems. Since IP PBX phone systems, as the name suggests, rely on an active internet connection, it is possible to experience downtime during power outages or network disruptions. While there are many ways to circumvent these issues nowadays, it is essential to mind the primary purpose of your phone systems and take into account the internet accessibility of your area. With the latest 5G technology going mainstream, this issue is no longer a genuine concern for implementing IP PBX phone systems.
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What Are the Features of A PBX Phone System?
PBX phone systems' essential features include phone lines and stations to route calls within a network. PBX allows businesses to limit the number of phone lines and reduce the need to subscribe to hundreds of cellular phone lines.
Auto Attendant
Guided by any number of automatic attendants who receive the initial calls, PBX phone systems can direct calls, messages, and faxes to multiple destinations, including cell phones, laptops, and landlines--simultaneously, if need be.
Find/Follow Me or Call Forwarding
The Find/Follow feature allows calls to be routed to varying locations until someone is reached. At the same time, auto attendants can place calls to virtual departments and dial-by-name directories within phone systems. Call centers can be set up and designated to answer calls regarding specific topics. In contrast, the excellent call queuing phone systems feature prioritizes the order of individual extensions that calls will be routed.
Voicemail
The password-protected voicemail phone systems features are just as versatile, including options for accessing voicemail through the web interface, sending voicemails to e-mails, and sending messages to groups. Employees can even have multiple voicemail accounts if needed. Meanwhile, a unified messaging feature allows voicemails, e-mails, and faxes to go to one report.
Voice-to-text/Email
Other capabilities include making and receiving calls via computers. Several helpful remote office phone system features utilize alternate locations, such as satellite offices, which support primary branches. Conveniently, IP PBX phones can be moved and plugged into different places while maintaining their initial features and phone number.
Virtual Numbers & e911
IP PBX phone systems also offer customers toll-free numbers to reach businesses. The systems allow unlimited calling, including local access, virtual numbers, international virtual numbers, and directory assistance. In addition to analog phone features such as caller ID, call waiting, and conference calls, an IP PBX offers call logs (which can be downloaded and printed out on PCs) and “do not disturb” features to ensure privacy. 911 calls made from PBX phone systems automatically deliver the address of the locations the call was made from, while hosted PBX servers can direct calls to alternate sites in the event of disasters.
What Are the Best PBX Phone Systems?
8x8
8x8 phone systems are a popular UCaaS provider that goes beyond the capabilities of IP PBX. It offers all the typical features of PBX that small and mid-sized businesses know and love via a SaaS platform. 8x8 phone systems provide affordable pricing structures on a per-user basis that allow businesses to scale up as needed. Their technical expertise, industry knowledge, and quality of service make 8x8 one of the market's most popular phone systems providers.
RingCentral
RingCentral phone systems have evolved from an IP PBX service provider to a fully-fledged unified communications solution with all the functionalities of IP PBX and many more features. With the remote access features of its UCaaS platform, workers can access your phone systems from wherever they are, removing the barrier of only being able to hire local talent. You can integrate RingCentral phone systems with other business software for a seamless communication and support experience. RingCentral phone systems provide many packages for businesses of all sizes and offer scalable options.
Vonage
Vonage phone systems include all the features of IP PBX and more to enable businesses to adopt agile groups for effective communication. Users can meet internally and externally using Vonage phone systems while remaining security compliant with all modes of communication. Vonage phone systems also offer scalable user-based plans that suit businesses of any size.
If investing in the best phone systems is the proper choice for your business, compare the best phone systems providers to ensure that you select one that fits your exact business communications needs.
