PBX Systems: Advantages and Trends By Andrew Stratton At Isnare.com Ezine Articles

Are you considering a PBX system for your business? A PBX, or Private Branch Exchange, is an advanced type of business telephone system. Unlike a common carrier exchange, PBX systems are designed to connect among telephones, fax machines, modems and other extensions of a private organization, as well as to public telephone networks.

Once seen as systems for large companies only, PBX systems are now aiding communication in companies of all sizes. These systems have now become more manageable for smaller businesses, yet easy to expand as a company grows. PBX systems generally offer an internal switching network; external phone lines, internal phone lines and a console for manual control.

Today, most businesses opt for a VoIP (Voice over IP) system, which uses internet technology to carry and connect calls. VoIP offers many advantages over PBX for smaller businesses, such as their ease of administration, the ability to upgrade, and their low cost compared to traditional PBX systems.

Traditional PBX systems use physical lines to route calls throughout an office system. As a result, the more complex the system, the more expensive it is for the business. VoIP technology allows businesses to operate their phone systems over their existing data network, which not only reduces cost, but adds great versatility and freedom as well.

Common features for IP PBX systems include, call forwarding, call accounting, automatic ring back, auto dialing, call transfer, call waiting, conference call capabilities, speed dialing, busy override, direct inward dialing, do not disturb features, interactive voice response, computer telephony integration, hold music and a myriad of other features to mix and match to perfection.

Though traditional PBX systems still have their place, for now, VoIP is quickly gaining in popularity. Companies with only one location, who generally connect through their own phone systems and don’t make many long distance calls still choose to stick with a PBX. But VoIP is definitely the wave of the future, sending traditional PBX systems the way of the fax machine.

VoIP’s versatility allows for the freedom and options demanded by today’s companies. For instance, it allows businesses with multiple locations a cohesive communication system, allowing even small businesses or freelancers the advantage of looking, or sounding large to clients and the rest of the outside world. It allows freedom of travel as well, from office to office, coffee shop to coffee shop, or from wherever modern businesses are run. VoIP allows everyone, even the office receptionist, to work from home when needed. Other advantages, such as voicemail through email, allow people to get their messages from wherever they are. And IP PBX is much more cost effective than phone systems of the past.

Many VoIP providers offer unlimited calling plans for one set fee per month, and a lot of the bells and whistles, such as call waiting and call forwarding, which cost extra on a landline system are included in many VoIP plans.

The ability for easy upgrades is also appealing to many. As companies changes VoIP system can change with them. And keeping up with changing technology trends is much less expensive in VoIP than in telephone systems of the past.

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