We Don't Need
No Stinking PBX
Alternatives to the expensive
and old school TDM based PBX system
Once a business grows beyond a few telephone
lines, the common practice is to install a PBX or Private Branch
Exchange system. The PBX is small single-purpose computer that
manages interconnecting phones in-house and connecting them to
outside lines as needed. The big cost savings of a PBX system
is based on not having to pay per minute for any calls that stay
within the company, even between remote locations, and making
the most efficient use of expensive outside lines on a shared
basis. Well, that's the sales pitch anyway.
Why PBX is an Endangered Species
PBX systems are an endangered species for larger companies and
make no sense at all for smaller and virtual companies. Why?
It's the cost thing. The same cost savings pitch that created
the demand for PBX systems is now their undoing. Take in-house
phone line switching for instance. It's based on having dedicated
telephone wiring from the PBX system to each telephone. But what
if you get rid of the phone wiring?
No phone wiring? How can that be?
The new cost savings paradigm comes from having a single set
of network wiring that serves both computers and telephones.
In fact, the same network that already serves the computers can
also be connected to the telephones. One network, perhaps with
some upgrades, one set of wires. This is the VoIP or Voice over
Internet Protocol approach to telephony.
Minimize Staffing Needs
Another cost savings comes from having one set of technical support
people handling both the phones and computers. PBX systems need
their own specialized team. Each time a phone is moved, the PBX
system needs to be reprogrammed because it associates telephones
with the lines they are plugged into. VoIP phones are network
equipment like computers. They have their own identifying addresses
that are recognized regardless of where they are plugged-in on
the network.
Toll Bypass Savings
Yet another cost savings comes from what is called "toll
bypass." Instead of paying a toll to use the phone company's
network for long distance calls, you use your own network or
a third party network that may be cheaper. Calls that leave your
network may be connected to the phone company at more advantageous
rates near the outside location.
Enterprise VoIP Requirements
To manage phone services on an enterprise network, you'll need
some specialized equipment that takes the place of the PBX system.
These controllers go by various names including IP PBX or Soft
Switch. In addition to the switching equipment, you'll need telephones
that connect directly to your network. To see whether this approach
is cost effective for your company, you'll want to get competitive
quotes for PBX vs Enterprise VoIP.
The Virtual Office Approach
Another approach is the "virtual
office" system which gives you the flexibility of a
PBX style phone system without the headaches of having to manage
an in-house phone system. With a virtual office, the switching
equipment and connection to outside phone lines is handled by
a service company such as Packet8. All you need are the specialized
phones and network adaptors for each location and a broadband
Internet connection.
Business Phone Systems for Distributed
Businesses
The real beauty of the virtual office comes with the "virtual"
part. Your office can be 3 or 30 people at 3 or 30 different
locations. The network doesn't care where the phones are physically
located. Only their unique addresses and that they can communicate
over the Internet. Members of the virtual office can be sitting
cheek to jowl or they can be scattered around the country or
even around the world. Regardless, you can easily forward, park
or conference calls, access voice mail, and even have one person
act as a switchboard operator if you wish. People calling your
virtual company think they are connecting to a big office location
with a sophisticated PBX system. No need to burst their bubble.
Only you need to realize that you wouldn't know a PBX if it came
up and bit you in the wallet.
Need More Help?
For assistance with your particular enterprise network and telephony
issues, please use our inquiry form below. A member of our technical
sales team will be in touch quickly. There is no cost or obligation
for this service.
| Enterprise VoIP Service Quotes |
|
Free Technical Application &
Sales Support
Call Toll-Free: 1-866-436-7868, Ref.# 1265
