VoIP PBX Phone System - an equalizer for small business

A VoIP PBX phone system is now a viable option for businesses of all size. The standard telephony features available from even the most basic VoIP PBX are at least equivalent to those provided by TDM PBX technology.

While the initial decision to invest in a VoIP PBX solution is often based on "cheap phone calls," that's not necessarily where the biggest return on investment comes from.

A VoIP PBX phone system is at its core a software application. Once a business migrates to VoIP it can begin to exploit the features and benefits of unified communications and other IP based applications including VoIP recording software.

Although harder to quantify, it is the benefits associated with improved communications that deliver the most significant payback and particularly in the case of small business. SMBs are disadvantaged by traditional phone systems in a multitude of ways that impact on revenue and ultimately profitability.

Small business VoIP solutions have leveled the playing field for SMB's in particular. They can now access the same VoIP PBX phone system features and functionality as big business.

Hosted VoIP PBX and VoIP virtual PBX options have eliminated the up front costs required to tap into the features and benefits of a modern business phone system. They provide unlimited scaleability, resilience and comprehensive support without requiring capital investment or long term commitment to specific makes and models of technology.

VoIP PBX Phone System - standard features

Call routing functionality

Automatic attendant: answers calls, presents a menu of options, transfers calls to voice mail or any other programmed destination.

Call menus: allows users to flexibly define menu options presented to callers. These may include multiple sets of menus that conditionally apply depending on the time of day, caller ID etc

Extension management: permits administrators to add, change and delete extensions via a web interface.

Call transfer: permits direct extension to extension transfers.

Call parking: enabling a call to be put on hold in a shared parking space that can be accessed by other users who can pick up the call.

Messaging and Management Functionality

Voice mail: allows users to set up multiple voice mail boxes with essentially unlimited capacity. In the case of even more sophisticated systems the option to selectively record phone conversations is also available.

On hold calls: Not necessarily a new feature, but there are major differences. Calls don't unexpectedly drop out as they did under TDM and a range of options including music can be programmed to play while callers are waiting.

Conference calls: instead of using external services a VoIP PBX can efficiently host multi-party conference calls.

Web based administration: permits rapid reconfiguration of extensions from anywhere that web access is available. This includes not just ACD maintenance but also the setting of associated rights and permissions.

Directory: a central repository of information containing at a minimum contact names, addresses, extension numbers that can be synchronized with email systems such as Outlook and CRM products.

Remote Users

Branch offices: can be centrally administered as if they were local.

Remote user support: provides remote users with all the facilities of centrally located users.

Hoteling: an indispensable feature for telecommuters and employees sharing hot desks that enables them to take over a physical phone with another number.

Unified communications

Email integration: matches inbound calls with contact details held in Outlook, Goldmine, CRM applications and enables click to dial from within them.

Voice mail to email: pick up voice mails from within an email application from where they can be played or stored for future reference.

Click-to-dial: from within a desktop application.

See also: SIP VoIP PBX system - and the promise of rich communication without a PSTN gateway.

In just a few years most if not all businesses will use VoIP phone systems. In the mean time VoIP PBX software will continue to evolve and undoubtedly new ways of increasing business efficiency will emerge.

See also: The VoIP PBX - it's a winner at last and Cisco VoIP PBX.

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