One of the choices that you have to make when setting up any business is how you’re going to handle phone calls. In many cases, small business owners assume that the call volume will be manageable enough that they can just use their own cell phone. This is almost never a good solution. The alternative of paying for a separate cell phone and carrying two is hardly better. If your small business will have a physical location like a storefront or office, it becomes even more important to have a true business phone system set up (either instead of or in addition to a call center). But how do you choose the right one among all of the telecom options out there? Knowledge is power in this case. Read on for a primer on PBX phone systems to help you better understand them while making the choice.
What is PBX?
PBX stands for Private Branch Exchange, and this essentially means that you’ve got your own little in-house telephone network just for your business. The system typically supports calling in and out (with the option for multiple phones and lines) and calling (for free) between users on the network.
PBX Options
PBX phone systems can be either analog or digital. The analog type is the same old traditional office phone system that has been around for decades. The digital version is more modern and allows for more features. Analog still uses traditional copper lines so they don’t allow features like transcribing voicemail to email and you have to add additional jacks to add new lines; however, the internet being down will not impact your phones. Digital PBX systems use VoIP phone lines to provide the traditional features of an analog PBX system plus modern features like messaging, integration with office suite programs, video conferencing, and the option to bring your own device. IP-based PBX systems also allow you to have the same exchange in multiple physical locations. Within VoIP systems, you have the further choice to have hosted (cloud-based) services or an on-premises PBX, depending on your needs, your ability to troubleshoot and manage, and your budget.
PBX Benefits
Having a PBX system offers many benefits. Generally, the systems are fairly easy to “plug-and-play”, especially the more modern solutions (hosted VoIP systems). They are easily scalable (again, digital being even easier to scale than analog). Operation costs and up-front expenditures will vary based on the type and amount of equipment you need, but generally, they’re very reasonable. Finally, with the many options available, you’re sure to find something that fits your needs exactly.
Small Business Network Solutions from Delta Intellicom
Want to learn more about the ways we can help improve your business? Delta Intellicom can satisfy all of your telecommunication needs, whether you need help with your new VoIP system or just want to streamline your existing office phone network. We have served the Maryland, Washington, D.C, Northern Virginia, and Pennsylvania areas for over 20 years and offer an unparalleled customer experience. We have the expertise and products to fulfill all of your phone service and data needs. For more information, contact us online or give us a call at 1-800-946-3358. For more tips, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.