A PBX (Private Branch Exchange) system allows an organization to manage incoming and outgoing phone calls, as well as internal communication similarly, as one provided by Precise Business Solutions do. A PBX is made up of both hardware and software that connects to communication devices such as telephone adapters, hubs, switches, routers, and telephone sets.
Modern PBXs have a wealth of management features that make communication easy and more effective within organizations, boosting productivity. Their sizes and complexity vary, ranging from very expensive and complex large-scale corporate communication systems to basic plans that are hosted on the cloud for a low monthly fee. Simple home-based PBX systems offer basic features as an upgrade to existing traditional phone lines.
The functions of a PBX can be very complex, but these are the essential features:
- Use of more than one telephone line in an organization
- Management of outgoing and incoming calls
- Splitting of one single phone line into several internal lines, which are identified through three- or four-digit numbers called extensions, and switching calls to the appropriate internal line
- Internal phone communications
- VoIP (voice over internet protocol) calling, which has a tremendous number of features and enhancements over traditional telephony, the most prominent being the cost savings
- Quality interface with customers through features such as call recording, voicemail, IVR (interactive voice response), etc.
- Automated responses, which automatically direct users to the most appropriate lines through voice menus
A PBX system allows all departments of an organization to be reached from a single phone number. This saves the company money because it requires only a single phone line.
PBXs changed a lot with the advent of IP telephony (VoIP). The newer IP-PBXes use the internet to channel calls. IP-PBxes are usually preferred because they offer a wealth of features. Except for old, already-installed-but-still-working PBXs and those chosen because they are inexpensive, PBX systems nowadays tend to be IP-PBXes.
Today, you don’t have to invest in the hardware, software, installation, and maintenance of an in-house PBX, especially if you are running a small business and the cost of ownership would be greater than the benefits. Precise Business Solutions now offers hosted PBX service for a monthly fee that doesn’t require you to pay for hardware other than your telephone sets and router. These services are cloud-based and delivered via an internet connection. Hosted PBXes have some disadvantages — they’re more generic, with fewer options to tailor the system to your precise needs — but they are quite cheap and don’t require an upfront investment.
