Business-related telecommunication systems don’t need to be as high-cost as one might assume. Nor does it have to be as unreachable as it may seem. There are plenty of options to consider, yet when it comes to making the most of a hosted or virtual PBX system, there is no better way to do it.
By using the PBX phone system users can communicate inside (within the enterprise) and outside (with the external world), using several communication channels such as Voice over IP (VoIP), ISDN or analogue. In addition, a PBX allows having more telephones than physical lines (PTSN) as well as free calls between users. Furthermore, it provides features like call forwarding, voicemail, recording of phone calls, IVR (interactive voice menus) and call queues.
These are less expensive than local PBX phone systems, easier to work with and do the job automatically that an IT staff would otherwise need to perform. To ensure that everyone understands how they work, we have prepared this guide.
What is virtual PBX and how does it work?
PBX is the acronym of Private Branch Exchange, and in short, a virtual PBX is an advanced telephone system inexpensive, friendly and universally accessible. This kind of telephony system is “virtual” for a reason; while it works with existing phones and existing business lines, it uses an internet connection to maintain a connected telecommunications line.
Since these virtual PBX systems are interconnected via the Internet, staff and managers can receive calls on any phone and in any location. Just redirect calls to an off-site telephone (home office, cell phone, friend’s house) and ensure that any incoming calls are answered in a prompt and efficient manner.
Not only does this reduce waiting times, but it also improves the office’s performance. Customers will reach the desired person without having to talk to several different employees. This advanced call forwarding will enhance customer satisfaction and loyalty.
Benefits of Virtual PBX Systems
Now let’s explore the pros of virtual PBX phone systems a bit further. It all comes down to cost reduction; though, there are some great features of integration, automation and personalization that make virtual PBX systems well worth the outlay.
- Virtual PBXs do all the hard work, by making it easy for any size of the company to function with the professional feel of even the biggest players.
- Allows for even the most non-technical business manager be able to personalize their entire telephone system.
- Enterprises can quickly and easily enable and disable any PBX functions using an add-on application on their smartphone or online administration panels.
- Reduced charges per month significantly help reduce overall expenses by removing the need for a large investment in computer hardware, office wiring, and IT infrastructure equipment.
- Since virtual telephone systems no longer require an expensive hardware setup process to add new telephone lines, companies can simply and quickly upgrade the technology platform.
What automation tools and features provide virtual PBX?
Below are some of the many characteristics that virtual PBX systems provide; they are all important, and yes, it is a must to consider when choosing a provider that makes the most adjustment for the business.
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- Voicemail-to-Email Feature: if for some reason the boss is always on the move, then it is a must to have a system that allows for automatic voice mail to be sent to the phone or to other mobile devices. Why? In case there is someone in a meeting and an important call is expected, it can be checked discretely without interrupting anyone.
- Cellphone Menus: the clients usually are afraid to call the company, thinking they will be put on hold or constantly directed to the wrong department. Through easy menus, can direct any caller right where they need to be.
- Auto-attendant: customers can be directed to the automated answering machines or be given the information necessary to call back or to address specific issues on their own.
- Call queue, redirection, and recording: the call queue allows users to stay on the line as long as the receiver is busy with someone else, rather than having them hang up and return the call, potentially forgetting that they ever called in the first place. Forwarding allows customers to be redirected to another telephone number, so even if someone is out of the office, they can stay in constant contact.
Call recording is quite straightforward. It means that calls can be recorded and saved as digitized files. Connect this with CRM software to create more sophisticated customer databases.
- Conference Bridging: a teleconference allows a wide group of people to participate in conference calls. Conventional phone services cannot support more than three persons on a line at one time. In contrast to the regular PBX, these calls can contain several hundred participants at a time.
Conventional PBXs would have their own owner phones, so there would be a way to reuse these phones with a different system. This means either system locking (the same system is required because changing it also means replacing the phones, which makes it forbidden to split up) or carrier locking (the same carrier is required because the phones are only usable with systems provided).
However, over time and through technology, the landscape of retail telecommunications has evolved, with the IP PBX based on open standards being the standard-bearer. The purpose of “IP” in this new era is that voice calls are placed using the Internet Protocol as the subjacent carrier technology.
PBX systems are now available as hosted or virtual solutions and as premise-based services to be executed on existing hardware.
April 7, 2023
Phone System 