Do you recall the large, cumbersome phone systems that companies once used? The ones that had to come in every time you wanted to move a phone, had blinking lights, a closet full of wires, and a cranky technician? To be honest, the outdated PBX (Private Branch Exchange) was a pain in the ass. The Hosted PBX is the digital star of the show, as the majority of astute companies move their communications to the cloud these days. It’s the cutting-edge, adaptable, and reasonably priced method for any size business to manage all of its calls.
However, what is a hosted PBX exactly? How does it operate? And why should your company be concerned? Let’s dissect this potent technology as simply as we can.
Table of Contents
The Basics – What is a PBX Phone System?
Let’s quickly review the PBX telephone system before discussing the “Hosted” portion. Private Branch Exchange is referred to as PBX. A PBX, to put it simply, is a company’s internal private telephone network.
Consider it your go-to traffic cop for all business calls.
1. For Internal Calls – The PBX enables your staff to make direct phone calls to one another using short extension numbers, such as extension 101. These calls are free because they don’t use public phone lines.
2. For External Calls – You can make and receive calls from clients by connecting your internal lines to the public telephone network (PSTN) through the PBX. Additionally, it controls voicemail, hold, and transfer functions.
A PBX used to be a big, pricey piece of equipment that was kept in your office’s server room. This was referred to as an “On-Premise PBX.”
The Upgrade – What is a Hosted PBX?
“Hosted” is the word that changes everything. It entails moving your large, intricate PBX equipment from your office to a secure data center run by a specialist service provider.
A hosted PBX, also known as a cloud phone system or VoIP phone system, is a type of virtual phone system in which the provider fully manages and maintains the core technology. Your phones use the internet to connect to this service.
How It Works – The Simple Breakdown
1. Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) – A hosted PBX uses VoIP in place of conventional copper phone lines. Your voice is transformed into digital data packets by this technology, which then transmits them via the internet.
2. No Server Room Required – A PBX box is not required in your workplace. The provider “hosts” the system for you, handling the server, software, and upkeep.
3. Equipment for End Users – Your staff can access the system on a number of devices –
- Desk Phones – Desk phones are IP phones that connect to your office network, which is similar to a computer.
- Softphones – Softphones are computer or laptop applications that function as phones.
- Mobile Apps – Mobile apps are smartphone apps that let you use your company’s line to make and receive business calls even when you’re not in the office.
Basically, you can make and receive calls anywhere in the world as long as you have a dependable internet connection.
Why Businesses Are Rushing to Adopt Hosted PBX
Huge cost, feature, and flexibility advantages are driving the switch from the outdated PBX phone system to a hosted PBX.
A. Reduced Prices (You Save Money)
- No Initial Outlay of Funds – Purchasing a large, costly PBX machine is not necessary. All you have to do is pay a small monthly fee per user.
- No Upkeep Charges – All software patches, upgrades, and repairs are taken care of by the provider. No more phoning the technician in an emergency!
- Reduced Call Prices – Local and long-distance calls are significantly less expensive, and occasionally even free, because they are made over the internet (VoIP).
B. Incredible Flexibility (Working Anywhere)
- Work from Anywhere – The greatest benefit is that you can work from anywhere. Your employees can use their business extension from home, a coffee shop, or even another country because the system is cloud-based. No matter where they are, the business phone number always rings.
- Simple Scaling – Do you need to hire ten more people? Minutes, not days, are needed. Simply sign in to the online portal and add ten new users. Do you need to reduce your size? Equally simple.
- Future-Proof – To ensure that your PBX never becomes antiquated, the provider continuously adds new features to the system.
C. Powerful Professional Features
Features of a hosted PBX system are far more extensive than those of a traditional landline or PBX –
- Auto-Attendant/IVR (Interactive Voice Response) – “Press 1 for Sales, Press 2 for Support” is the auto-attendant/IVR (interactive voice response) greeting. This gives the impression that even a small business is a large corporation.
- Voicemail-to-Email – You can read or listen to voicemail messages that have been transcribed and delivered to your email inbox.
- Call recording – Easily capture calls for compliance, quality assurance, or training.
- Mobile and Desktop Apps – Workers can use their computers or smartphones to transfer calls, check company voicemail, and use their business line.
- Connecting Business Tools – Connect your CRM (Customer Relationship Management) software and other tools you already use to your PBX phone system. A customer’s record appears immediately when they call!
Getting Started with Your Hosted PBX
It’s much easier than you might imagine to make the switch.
This is a basic road map –
1. Determine Your Needs – What is the number of users you have? Do you require sophisticated features like video conferencing or call center queues?
2. Select a Provider – Seek out a trustworthy VoIP provider (also referred to as a hosted PBX vendor) that provides excellent customer service and all the features you require.
3. Check Your Internet – Verify your internet bandwidth. VoIP uses very little data, but clear call quality requires a strong, reliable connection.
4. Obtain Your Gear – Choose whether your team will rely on softphones (apps) on their current PCs and smartphones, or if you want new IP desk phones.
5. Setup and Training – Using an intuitive web portal, the provider will walk you through configuring your phone numbers, extensions, and automated greetings.
Final Thought on the PBX Telephone Revolution
The Hosted PBX from Liberty UAE is a cutting-edge, dynamic, and collaborative communications platform that offers more than just a means of placing and receiving calls. Businesses are freed from excessive expenses and rigidity by eliminating the need for large hardware and moving the system to the cloud.
It’s time to embrace the future with a hosted PBX from Liberty UAE and achieve true business mobility if your current PBX phone system is limiting your operations, driving up costs, or keeping your staff at their desks.
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