subject: More Than Just Hosted PBX Phones [print this page] More Than Just Hosted PBX Phones More Than Just Hosted PBX Phones
Setting up a business is no easy feat. Before you can even think about what color to paint the office or what chairs will be the most comfortable, you have to take care of the important items first, like buying computers and choosing a telephone provider. If you're a medium to large-sized business, you're probably going to choose a PBX phone system. However, there is more than just a hosted PBX phone and you'll need to know which is right for your business. The basic PBX phone, or private branch eXchange, is a privately owned phone system. You can have several lines and can easily route calls. The extra features you want can determine just how cheap or expensive this option is. Standard features include caller I.D., call forwarding, and call conferencing. This simpler system is being used less and less with the rise in popularity of VoIP business phones. They still remain a good choice for medium to large-sized businesses.Growing in popularity is the hosted PBX system, also called the virtual PBX phone. The big difference between this phone and the former is that you can manage calls through the Internet. You also do not need to setup tons of extra hardware. Some of the basic features of these phones include redirecting calls to cell phones, home phones, or faxes, online call logs, online voicemail, and dial-by-name directories. The costs tend to be cheaper than the traditional PBX system and the phones are great for any size business.With so many businesses switching to VoIP, there is now a VoIP hosted PBX system, or IP PBX. This type of phone brings the best of both systems together. Costs are low because you do not need to install new hardware. The phones can be connected to a computer rather than through landlines. You can also manage your system online just like the hosted PBX system. Simply install the software on your computer and you can begin making phone calls. Again, this is a great choice for all types of businesses. The fourth and last type of PBX system is the virtual or hosted IP PBX system. This phone system is best for small to medium-sized businesses. All the equipment is held and maintained by the telephone provider. Therefore, there is nothing to install at your company. You still receive all the same great features, but without any installation hassle. Cost and features are the most important factors to consider. Choose the right phone that can make your business run efficiently without soaring prices.
