subject: IP PBX and modern IP phone systems redefine telephonic communication management [print this page] IP PBX and modern IP phone systems redefine telephonic communication management
In the past, the large organizations used to manage their telephonic conversations by making use of the private branch exchanges (PBX) which were considered to be small telephone exchanges within the organization. These essentially performed the same functions as that of the exchanges at the organization level. The lines are connected to the PSTN network. These enabled the efficient and effective management of the telephone calls. With the far reaching changes in the telephonic communication by the ushering in of the voice over internet protocol (VOIP), the telephony became simpler, affordable and loaded with a number of features. An IP phone device could operate over the computer platform, the normal telephonic instrument or as the mobile application.
The PBX now turned into the IP PBX system as it employed the IP phone features as well. Though it enabled calling at cheaper rates, conferencing and also free video calling, there were problems in maintaining these systems in the offices. The hosted IP PBX systems sought to provide the solutions for the same. This concept did not warrant keeping of these systems at the offices, but at a centralised location dedicated for this purpose only. Each of the organization is connected with the place where this system is kept. For a small monthly maintenance charge, the organizations can obviate the need of maintaining these on a frequent basis while they continue to enjoy the benefits of all the features.
Small and large business phone systems are, nowadays, coming with the VOIP functionality. There are four different types of these systems, like:
1. VOIP phone system: These are the phones which are specifically meant to act as VOIP phones only. These can be connected to the internet through your computer or also, wirelessly, through the router.
2. Normal analogue phone: If yours is a small organization which has a normal, analogue telephone instrument, it would be requiring special adapters to connect to the internet to make it function like an IP phone.
3. Soft phone: This is referred to those phone systems which are installed on the computer as a software. You can make or receive the calls from these soft phones. These do require you to have the devices like the headsets, microphones and even the speakers to be able to communicate.
4. Smart phones: You can make use of your mobiles with Wi-Fi connectivity feature to make free or low cost normal or video calls to the others.
For an organization the ease and convenience of calling, messaging, managing and reducing the call bills for important consideration for opting for the modern IP phone systems. These systems can be used to make phone calls, sending faxes and emails, checking the voice mail and receiving it, conferencing, auto attendant feature, can all be done with great ease.
And if you are of the opinion that with so many functions in these business phone systems, there are bound to be problems of delivering quality sound, or there would be malfunctioning of some of the features, then you are gravely mistaken. Modern day systems take care of the quality issues otherwise they can not stay in contention in this highly competitive field.
