VoIP PBX

Hosted VoIP PBX is known to be one of the most flexible and cost-effective business phone systems.

Some of the major benefits of using hosted VoIP PBX are:

• fewer maintenance costs
• lower call rates for domestic and international calls
• easy scalability
• increased mobility
• compatibility with different device types (desk phones, softphones, conference phones, and mobile devices)
• improved data security
• no need for in-house IT infrastructure

What is the difference between PBX and VoIP?

Both PBX (Private Branch Exchange) and VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) are business phone systems that are used for achieving the same end goal – to make and receive phone calls. The difference between them lies in how they operate and their advantages and disadvantages.

PBX analog phone system is connected to a local Public Switched Telephone Network (PTSN) through a landline. It connects all office desk phones on the same network and allows making internal and external calls. It also offers several features that are not available on traditional phones (call transfers, IVR menu). PBX systems are considered reliable, secure, and provide high call quality, but the initial setup and maintenance costs are usually high.

VoIP phone systems convert analog phone calls into IP packets that are sent through the Internet. Though it’s a fairly recent technology in phone systems, it proves to be very flexible, easily scalable, and more cost-efficient than PBX. However, VoIP performance and the sound quality of calls may be affected by Internet outages and disruptions.

What is PBX compatible with?

A traditional PBX system uses physical phone lines and is compatible with analog phones (landline phones). PBX connects the phones and extensions within an organization to each other and outside analog lines. With a PBX system, a company can have more phones than phone lines. Though PBX systems traditionally used copper-based landlines, VoIP has changed the game. Today, a VoIP PBX (or IP PBX) is usually compatible with a range of SIP phones and softphones.

What is PBX hardware?

Traditional analog PBX phone systems connect to the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) over Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS) lines. A PBX system manages calls between phones and fax machines by being physically connected to them over copper wiring. The PBX phone system hardware is typically located in an office’s telecom closet or a server room. The hardware needs to be set up, configured, and maintained by a company’s IT staff. In the case of using hosted PBX systems, the PBX hardware is located off-site while the calls are routed to your phones over the Internet. A hosted PBX phone system is set up and maintained by the company housing the PBX hardware.

Does VoIP require a PBX?

VoIP functions independently and doesn’t require a PBX phone system in place to work efficiently. VoIP only needs an active Internet connection and a VoIP phone. Today’s VoIP service providers can offer businesses most PBX features without needing to have on-site PBX hardware. However, if you opt for on-premises IP PBX (VoIP-based PBX), the system would still require PBX. But instead of physically connecting to the PBX with copper wiring, phones connect to the PBX over the Internet.

How does the IP PBX phone system work?

IP PBX phone systems place and receive phone calls over the Internet instead of the traditional phone lines. The system converts analog voice signals into digital packets and then directs them to a VoIP service provider to manage each call’s initiation and termination. IP PBX is based on SIP standards and can be compatible with IP phones, mobile devices, and softphones. The IP PBX includes an index of all users, phones, and their corresponding SIP addresses.

When a user places a call, the PBX server can differentiate between internal and external calls. Internal calls are routed to the SIP address of the phone or user receiving the calls. External calls are routed through a VoIP gateway or a VoIP service provider to the desired destination.

What is the difference between PBX and PABX?

While PBX is a ‘Private Branch Exchange’, PABX stands for a ‘Private Automatic Branch Exchange’. The difference between the two goes back to the history of phone systems. Originally, a PBX system required switchboard operators to manually connect internal callers to the right extension. That established a connection between two people using POTS (Plain Old Telephone Service). Eventually, PBX evolved into PABX when electronic switching became available. It enabled users to dial an extension number to make an internal call without needing an operator. Technically, since non-automatic PBXs don’t exist anymore, today’s PBX systems are PABX.

What is the PBX number?

A PBX number is a phone number that makes it easier for a company to organize incoming calls. With the help of a PBX number, companies collect all their incoming calls to one number and then transfer the calls to the right office, department, or people. A PBX number can be programmed to automatically transfer a call to another number when the first number does not answer or is busy.

Watch a video about VoIP PBX

The connection between Live Agent Helpdesk Software and a VoIP PBX (Private Branch Exchange) lies in their collaboration to streamline and optimize customer support operations. Live Agent Helpdesk Software enables businesses to provide real-time assistance and support to customers through various communication channels. A VoIP PBX, on the other hand, serves as a centralized system for managing phone calls within an organization. By integrating Live Agent Helpdesk Software with a VoIP PBX, businesses can enhance their customer support capabilities. Calls made to the helpdesk can be efficiently routed, queued, and distributed to available agents through the VoIP PBX, ensuring that customer inquiries are promptly addressed. This integration enables seamless communication, improved call handling, and better coordination between the helpdesk software and the VoIP infrastructure, resulting in enhanced customer satisfaction and efficient support operations.