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GoToConnect (formerly Jive) delivers a cloud-based unified communication solution to organizations of all sizes across the U.S. GoToConnect includes integrated products for business VoIP, video conferencing and contact center whic...Read more
Comm-unity by NetFortris (formerly Fonality) is a cloud-based communication and collaboration business phone system that caters to all business sizes. Comm-unity scales easily as your business grows, always works when you need it,...Read more
RingCentral MVP is a cloud-based business communications solution that offers tools for Messaging, Video and Phone. Core features of the solution include conferencing, auto-recording and unlimited long-distance and local calling. ...Read more
MiCloud Connect (formerly ShoreTel) is a cloud-based VoIP phone system that offers collaboration and conferencing tools to enable information flow within the organization. The solution enables system administrators to manage use...Read more
SlingShot VoIP provides robust PBX and telephony functionality for small businesses needing an affordable, feature-rich option. Companies can use whichever hardware they prefer, minimizing upfront and implementation costs....Read more
Vonage Business Solutions is a cloud-based communications solution suitable for small and midsize companies. The solution offers a business phone system that enables businesses to connect their VoIP phone system to internet-enable...Read more
UNIVERGE 3C is a flexible software-based IP-PBX. In addition to features such as auto attendants and call recording, it offers advanced unified communications capabilities so that users can harness multiple modes of communication....Read more
Avaya IP Office is an IP-PBX with unified communications capabilities designed for small-to-medium-sized businesses with up to 2,000 employees. It's also available in an edition that provides additional features for call centers....Read more
Huawei eSpace is a unified communications (UC) solution that can support up to 50,000 users at multiple sites, and offers UC features and secure virtual private network (VPN) connections on mobile devices....Read more
Ooma Office is a cloud-based voice + video solution suitable for businesses of all sizes. The platform includes a full suite of business phone features designed to deliver a flawless communications experience and advance team coll...Read more
ADTRAN's NetVanta 7100 is a hybrid IP PBX and IP router that offers both voice and data networking. It's available in 30- or 100-user versions, which include a full range of features like call queueing pre-licensed for each user....Read more
"Mitel MiVoice offers a range of unified communications (UC) platforms designed for both small business and large enterprise needs. MiVoice offers virtualization options and supports both cloud-based and on-premise deployment. ...Read more
XMission Hosted PBX is a cloud-based business phone system that offers SIP trunking services for businesses seeking a single-vendor VoIP solution. It features auto attendants and hunt groups and integrates with Microsoft Outlook....Read more
The term “PBX,” for private branch exchange, is in most cases simply a synonym for business phone system.
Internet Protocol PBXes, or IP PBXes, are phone systems that connect calls via the internet rather than the traditional phone network.
We’ll explain the core features and benefits of IP PBX systems. We’ll also take a look at some of the key factors that businesses need to consider when investing in a new phone system.
Here's what we'll cover:
The term PBX itself is a relic from the early-20th Century, as we explain in our extended definition.
Switchboard Operators, public domain image
Broadly speaking, a PBX’s function is to unite all the separate phone extensions that a business uses so they can function together as one system. Specifically, PBXs:
PBXs have been performing these same tasks for decades. As the internet increasingly takes over the function of the traditional phone network, however, the capabilities and features of PBXs have also evolved.
VoIP, or the Voice over Internet Protocol, has brought many changes to all aspects of business telephony—PBXs included. With VoIP, it’s now possible to send calls over an internet connection, as opposed to paying for traditional business phone service.
In order to reap the benefits of VoIP, you need an IP PBX rather than a traditional PBX, as an IP PBX system can connect directly to the internet. Older PBX systems, on the other hand, connect to analog or digital phone lines.
There are devices known as gateways that allow you to use VoIP service with an older PBX system. If you’re replacing your system, however, it makes much more sense to simply invest in an IP PBX.
IP PBXs exist in several very different forms. Although they all perform similar functions, there is no strict definition of the term. An IP PBX can refer to:
Hardware-based on-premise systems | Specific on-site hardware devices that look much like typical rack-mounted servers. |
Software-based on-premise systems | PBX software running on a computer outfitted with phone connections. |
Virtualized on-premise systems | “Virtual machines” installed on commodity hardware running a virtualization platform such as VMware. |
Cloud-based systems | Systems hosted by a VoIP provider in the provider’s data center rather than a server on your business’s premises, delivered as a service over your Internet connection. |
Traditionally, PBXs were very expensive to purchase and maintain, and they were only used by relatively large businesses. Smaller businesses had alternatives such as Key Systems, which are scaled-down and less automated, but perform similar functions. (With Key Systems, users manually select lines: for example, by pressing "9" for an outside line.)
Now it’s common for businesses with even a few employees to use some sort of IP PBX for their office phone system.
IP PBXs allow incoming calls to be routed and automatically distributed, and allow internal extensions to dial each other and share external lines. They provide the same basic functions as traditional PBXs, and can be useful to businesses of almost any size.
Further, as more businesses seek out the conveniences and cost-savings of VoIP telephony, IP PBXs in one of the forms mentioned above have become an increasingly common choice. Rather than trying to modernize an older PBX so it can work with VoIP calls, it often makes more sense to upgrade the whole system. Upgrading also gives buyers a chance to bring in new features which may have previously been unavailable.
Hosted or on-premise. This is probably the most critical decision to make. Companies should look at both options. On-premise systems will typically have higher initial costs, and may also require periodic system maintenance. Hosted PBXs will cost less up front, and will be managed by the provider, but have higher recurring costs. The total cost of ownership for all potential systems should be compared.
Call capacity. PBXs can only handle a limited number of concurrent calls and a limited number of total extensions or “registrations.” (Each VoIP phone connected to the IP PBX requires a single registration.) Assess how many total connections you’ll need, count one for each hardphone and softphone you plan to connect, as well as any devices such as FAX machines that may also be connected via your existing phone service provider, and estimate how many calls your employees will be making and receiving simultaneously when you’re at peak call volume.
Unified communications. This term refers to a range of features that involve communicating across platforms and between different mediums. A common example of this is visual voicemail: a feature that automatically transcribes voicemail messages and emails the transcript to the recipient. Many IP PBXs have UC functions included.
Security. VoIP calls have special network requirements and they often don’t work with well with standard office firewalls. To avoid problems, ensure that your existing firewall is compatible with SIP and VoIP traffic. An alternative is to get an IP PBX that includes a built-in firewall, as many do. Many also include VPN gateways to connect with a corporate Virtual Private Network.
Finally, you can use a device known as a Session Border Controller (SBC), which provides additional security specifically for VoIP systems by policing the “pinholes” that you need to open in your firewall for your VoIP calls.
Auto attendant. This is the automated answering system that greets inbound calls, presents pre-recorded information and gives callers a list of extension options from which to choose. Most IP PBXs include auto attendants, but the level of functionality supported by different systems differs. Advanced IVR systems, the voice menus that allow callers to complete actions such as checking account balances over the phone, are generally only found in call center suites.