How Can Hosted PBX Help You Gain The Communication Balance

1. HOW CAN HOSTED PBX HELP YOU GAIN THE COMMUNICATION BALANCE

2. SYNOPSIS Things to Check before Implementing a Hosted PBX Solution Hosted PBX: Understanding the Difference between PBX and VoIP How to Choose between a PBX and Hosted PBX System Hosted PBX and Other Types of PBX Systems How to Select the Best Hosted PBX System

3. THINGS TO CHECK BEFORE IMPLEMENTING A HOSTED PBX SOLUTION • It is important to ensure that you have the infrastructure needed to start using a hosted PBX service. A good idea is to work with a service provider and have them review your current network infrastructure first. They will check it for compatibility and offer advice as well. You would require certain tools and equipment to start using the service. For instance, you need to have Power-over-Ethernet switches to make use of a hosted PBX service. In the absence of a compatible switch, you will not be able to use the service. • Be sure to educate yourself about the security of your hosted PBX system. Many businesses do not realize the importance of keeping their system secure. The use of the internet makes it less secure, but you can use certain tools to enhance security. Similarly, you need to talk to the service provider and ask them about the tools they are using to ensure better security. Not paying attention to this point could cost you dearly, so ensure that your PBX system is safe and secure. • Check the quality of your connection. You have to bear in mind that you will be using a hosted service the quality of which depends directly on your internet connection. Therefore, it is a good idea to evaluate the quality of your broadband connection before investing in a PBX system. You should always check the jitter first, which is the result of a congested network. It can keep you from enjoying a steady stream of data packets. Similarly, you should also check latency and packet loss. If you are opting for a hosted PBX system, you need to ensure that your connection does not experience any packet loss. You will notice a change in voice quality even when there is a 1% packet loss.

4. HOSTED PBX: UNDERSTANDING THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PBX AND VOIP • PBX systems are not new and have been helping businesses connect with customers for years. These systems utilize your standard phone line to help you make and receive calls. You will require a manual control board, a computer server, and several lines to start using your PBX system. The lines lead to an internal switching system that diverts calls to different phone lines. VoIP phones, on the other hand, help you make calls through the internet. It means that you require a high-speed internet connection to start using VoIP phones. • Both systems may have different equipment requirement. In case of a traditional PBX system, you can get started with your standard analog phone equipment. It means that you usually need nothing more than a cordless or corded phone and a headset. You will have several equipment options when you put your money on a VoIP system. You will need a wireless or IP phone to connect to the internet. You may require more to utilize different features of VoIP systems.

5. HOSTED PBX: UNDERSTANDING THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PBX AND VOIP • Both systems vary greatly in terms of configuration options. While hosted PBX systems now offer good configuration options, you cannot compare it with VoIP systems. You will also find it much easier to configure and manage VoIP systems because you can manage everything directly from a computer. You do not require any serious knowledge to program and reprogram VoIP phones. You can use any internet connection to change your system settings. Moreover, you can use a PBX system to divert calls to different numbers, but you can achieve the same more efficiently when using a VoIP setup. These systems are considered more efficient because they also offer voice mail-to-text feature. • Call quality may not be the same. As mentioned already, your VoIP system requires an internet connection to function properly, so you may not always experience great connectivity. Voice quality may seem better when using a PBX system because you have to use the traditional settings to take advantage of its features.

6. HOW TO CHOOSE BETWEEN A PBX AND HOSTED PBX SYSTEM • In most cases, a standard PBX (Private Branch Exchange) system works just fine. It is basically a simple piece of software that diverts several calls to different departments in your company. It also helps connect internal calls in a seamless way. When you have a PBX system installed, every call that comes to your office will first go to the automated attendant. The software will then direct those calls to their respective departments to ensure that caller can receive quality assistance in a timely manner. • Similarly, the PBX will also manage all outgoing calls in a simple and hassle-free way. The most important thing to understand is that your traditional PBX system will utilize your regular landline to make and receive calls. It means that the biggest benefit of using this option is that you do not have to make a big upfront investment, as no special equipment is needed to get started. Do keep in mind that this type of system will work for you only if you already have the IT department and resources to manage it for you.

7. HOSTED PBX AND OTHER TYPES OF PBX SYSTEMS • Standard PBX System: It has been in use for years and is probably the most cost-effective way to divert calls to different extensions. You can start using it if you have a conventional landline phone. No specific equipment is needed, which is one of the best advantages of putting your money on a conventional PBX system. • Hosted PBX System: With a conventional PBX system, you have to manage everything on-site, which can be quite challenging at times. To resolve the issue, you can turn to a hosted PBX system. A VoIP provider will maintain it off-site, giving you the best service and total peace of mind. The provider will manage everything and you will only have to pay a nominal fee to keep using the service. It is also a cost-effective option because you do not need to make a large initial investment. Using a hosted PBX is a good choice if you have less than 20 employees using the service. • IP PBX System: It is essentially an upgraded form of a traditional PBX. You may benefit from this system if you have many employees relying on the service. Keep in mind that IP PBX systems have a high start-up cost because you will be purchasing equipment to install the network on site. There may also be an ongoing cost because you will need a specialized IT department to take care of everything. It means that after making a good investment, you will be in total control of how your PBX should be configured, and of course, there will be no subscription fee that is associated with a hosted PBX system.

8. HOW TO SELECT THE BEST HOSTED PBX SYSTEM • Will your benefit from a hosted PBX? It is an obvious thing to consider, but many people do not pay attention to it and select a hosted system just because they know it worked for someone they know. This is not the right way to proceed because you will be paying a set amount every month to use the service. You may be paying for services that you would never use. This is the reason why you should first determine your needs and then make a decision. Be sure to know how many lines you need, how many employees will be using the service, how many locations you are going to cover with the same system, and how often you will need conference calling features. By answering these questions, you will be in a much better position to decide if you should put your money on a hosted PBX or start with a conventional PBX system. • Understand your bandwidth requirements. You should bear in mind that a hosted PBX is a cost- effective option, but the quality of service depends heavily on the bandwidth you get. If you do not go for additional bandwidth, your connection will not be able to handle voice traffic efficiently. Bandwidth is basically the speed at which data moves through the circuit, which is the reason why you may require a higher bandwidth to receive impressive voice quality. Keep in mind that depending on the number of employees using the service, a hosted PBX VoIP call may use up to 450kbps of bandwidth. Therefore, you should consider this point when opting for a hosted PBX service.

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