Communication happens every day. In fact, this interexchange of ideas and messages is what makes the world go round. Accordingly, in the world of business, a successful conveyance is important as miscommunication can lead to potential loss of customers, which then affects profitability. This being said, having a well-functioning phone system is vital since according to Business.org, about 65% of consumers still prefer to use the phone to contact a business.
However, phone systems are usually expensive, making it difficult for owners of small businesses to find a suitable and affordable kind that can be easily downsized. Good thing, a typical small business PBX (Private Branch Exchange) system is versatile, cost-effective, and relatively easy to manage. If you are a small business proprietor and are looking for a phone system, then you might want to make the most of PBX. Here, we’ll provide a detailed discussion of what this system is and its efficiency in business use.
Traditional Small Business PBX Systems
A traditional PBX is a switching system that handles both outgoing and incoming calls for users within a company. It’s composed of external and internal lines, a console for controls, and a computer server for managing the routing and switching of calls among users. This kind of phone system is convenient to navigate as it reroutes calls to certain extensions automatically.
Another type of PBX that is popular among small business is the IP-based (Internet Protocol) phone system. An IP PBX shares multiple characteristics with the traditional one but often entails more advanced features.
IP PBX Systems
An IP PBX is able to perform the connecting and switching of calls between Voice over IP (VoIP) and landline users. The Search Unified Communications reports that it allows the shifting of calls between VoIP-using employees on local lines while enabling all users to share a specific number of external lines.
An IP PBX system is also more cost-effective considering that a conventional PBX utilizes two networks to separately manage data and voice. On the other hand, an IP PBX runs simply on an IP data network, thus reducing network management and costs.
To be more precise, since IP PBX systems make use of compacted data, the Internet allows communication between users of VoIP and traditional telephone systems to occur using just one line. This makes downsizing much easier, and not just the monthly fees but the long-term costs for maintenance are significantly reduced.
Additional Features
A typical IP phone system provides high definition sound quality and a variety of comprehensive business features. Along with the excellent voice support and sound quality in the speaker and handset, IP phones let users manage calls conveniently by providing easy access to records like the call log history, contact lists, and voice messages.
A well-performing phone system is essential in all kinds of businesses. If your goal is to cut down on costs without compromising efficiency, an IP PBX may be the right one for you. Another reminder is to evaluate the needs and demands of your daily operations and work routines so you can identify the features are really necessary and avoid paying for what you won’t use regularly.