| What is an IP PBX? | | | | Gateway or VOIP provider. In contrast, a proprietary |
| An IP PBX is a complete telephony system that | | | | phone system often requires proprietary phones to |
| provides telephone calls over IP data networks. All | | | | use advanced features, and proprietary extension |
| conversations are sent as data packets over the | | | | modules to add features. |
| network. The technology includes advanced | | | | Reason #6: Scalable |
| communication features but also provides a significant | | | | Proprietary systems are easy to outgrow: Adding |
| dose of worry-free scalability and robustness that all | | | | more phone lines or extensions often requires |
| enterprises seek. | | | | expensive hardware modules. In some cases you |
| Enterprises don't need to disrupt their current external | | | | need an entirely new phone system. Not so with an IP |
| communication infrastructure: An IP PBX is able to | | | | PBX: a standard computer can easily handle a large |
| connect to traditional PSTN lines via a VOIP gateway | | | | number of phone lines and extensions - just add more |
| - so an enterprise can keep its regular telephone | | | | phones to your network to expand! |
| numbers. | | | | Reason #7: Better customer service & |
| How it works | | | | productivity: |
| An IP PBX system consists of one or more SIP | | | | With an IP PBX you can deliver better customer |
| phones, an IP PBX server and optionally a VOIP | | | | service and better productivity: Since the telephone |
| Gateway to connect to existing PSTN lines. The IP | | | | system is now computer-based you can integrate |
| PBX server functions in a similar manner to a proxy | | | | phone functions with business applications. For |
| server: SIP clients, being either soft phones or | | | | example: Bring up the customer record of the caller |
| hardware-based phones, register with the IP PBX | | | | automatically when you receive his/her call, |
| server, and when they wish to make a call they ask | | | | dramatically improving customer service and cutting |
| the IP PBX to establish the connection. The IP PBX | | | | cost by reducing time spent on each caller. Outbound |
| has a directory of all phones/users and their | | | | calls can be placed directly from Outlook, removing the |
| corresponding SIP address and thus is able to connect | | | | need for the user to type in the phone number. |
| an internal call or route an external call via either a | | | | Reason #8: Twice the phone system features for half |
| VOIP gateway or a VOIP service provider. More | | | | the price! |
| information and commonly asked questioned about IP | | | | Since an IP PBX is software-based, itis easier for |
| PBXs can be found on IP PBX, SIP & VOIP FAQ | | | | developers to add and improve feature sets. Most |
| - | | | | VOIP phone systems come with a rich feature set, |
| The top 10 Reasons | | | | including auto attendant, voice mail, ring groups, |
| Reason #1: Much easier to install & configure than | | | | advanced reporting and more. These options are often |
| a proprietary phone system: | | | | very expensive in proprietary systems. |
| An IP PBX runs as software on a computer and can | | | | Reason #9 Allow hot desking & roaming |
| leverage the advanced processing power of the | | | | Hot desking - the process of being able to easily move |
| computer and user interface as well as Windows' | | | | offices/desks based on the task at hand, has become |
| features. Anyone proficient in networking and | | | | very popular. Unfortunately traditional PBXs require |
| computers can install and maintain an IP PBX. By | | | | extensions to be re-patched to the new location. With |
| contrast a proprietary phone system often requires an | | | | an IP PBX the user simply takes his phone to his new |
| installer trained on that particular proprietary system! | | | | desk - No patching required! |
| Reason #2: Easier to manage because of web/GUI | | | | Users can roam too - if an employee has to work |
| based configuration interface: | | | | from home, he/she can simply fire up their SIP |
| An IP PBX can be managed via a web-based | | | | software phone and are able to answer calls to their |
| configuration interface or a GUI, allowing you to easily | | | | extension, just as they would in the office. Calls can be |
| maintain and fine tune your phone system. Proprietary | | | | diverted anywhere in the world because of the SIP |
| phone systems have difficult-to-use interfaces which | | | | protocol characteristics! |
| are often designed to be used only by the phone | | | | Reason #10 Better phone usability: SIP phones are |
| technicians. | | | | easier to use |
| Reason #3: Significant cost savings using VOIP | | | | Employees often struggle using advanced phone |
| providers: | | | | features: Setting up a conference, transferring a call - |
| With an IP PBX you can easily use a VOIP service | | | | On an old PBX it all requires instruction. |
| provider for long distance and international calls. The | | | | Not so with an IP PBX - all features are easily |
| monthly savings are significant. If you have branch | | | | performed from a user friendly Windows GUI. In |
| offices, you can easily connect phone systems | | | | addition, users get a better overview of the status of |
| between branches and make free phone calls. | | | | other extensions and of inbound lines and call queues |
| Reason #4 Eliminate phone wiring! | | | | via the IP PBX Windows client. Proprietary systems |
| An IP PBX allows you to connect hardware phones | | | | often require expensive 'system' phones to get an |
| directly to a standard computer network port (which it | | | | idea what is going on on your phone system. Even |
| can share with the adjacent computer). Software | | | | then, status information is cryptic at best. |
| phones can be installed directly onto the PC. You can | | | | Conclusion |
| now eliminate the phone wiring and make adding or | | | | An investment in a software based IP PBX makes a |
| moving of extensions much easier. In new offices you | | | | lot of sense, not only for new companies buying a |
| can completely eliminate the extra ports to be used by | | | | phone system, but also for companies who already |
| the phone! | | | | have a PBX. An IP PBX delivers such significant |
| Reason #5: Eliminate vendor lock in! | | | | savings in management, maintenance, and on going call |
| IP PBXs are based on the open SIP standard. You | | | | costs, that any company should be looking at |
| can now mix and match any SIP hardware or | | | | upgrading to an IP PBX. |
| software phone with any SIP-based IP PBX, PSTN | | | | |