by Joe Taylor Jr., Vendor Guru Columnist
Telecommunications professionals at companies of all sizes often find themselves comparing traditional PBX phone systems with state-of-the-art voice over IP (or VOIP) communications tools. While PBX often looks more attractive because of the technology's history and stability, VOIP phone equipment offers tremendous flexibility and cost benefits.
Reviewing the benefits of each kind of phone service can help IT professionals make the right choices for their organizations.
 |
||
 |
||
Five Clear Benefits of PBX
• Broad technical support. With PBX phone systems still widely supported by many large companies, local technicians for PBX communications equipment can be found across the country.
• In-house equipment. Most PBX systems rely on phone switches that are installed and maintained on a company's premises. Having immediate access to phone equipment is vital for companies with their own troubleshooting teams.
• Dedicated, secure lines. Like traditional telephone lines, PBX systems connect to the outside world through a series of dedicated trunk connections. Companies with sensitive communications often prefer not to share data or voice lines with other phone company clients.
• Consistent call clarity. While connections outside of a PBX phone system are subject to the quality of incoming lines, interoffice calls and conference bridges sound crystal clear.
• Emergency calling capabilities. In the event of a power outage, emergency generators or backup batteries can provide enough power for desktop extensions to connect with outside telephone lines.
Five Clear Benefits of VOIP
• Reduced calling expenses. One of VOIP's biggest selling points is its ability to dramatically reduce the cost of long distance calls, especially international calls.
• Choice of equipment location. While some voice over IP phone systems can be installed on-site, most systems rely on broadband data service to connect with remove servers.
• Phone equipment interchangeability. Previous generations of PBX phone systems required significant rewiring to add more available lines to a desktop telephone. VOIP systems allow network administrators to deploy a variety of handsets based on the features needed for a particular workstation or staff member.
• Fast scalability. Because VOIP phone systems rely on generic data connections instead of hard-wired extensions, companies can move employees or add new departments with just a few mouse clicks. Instead of waiting weeks for hard-line installations, new extensions can be up and running in a matter of minutes.
• Support across multiple locations. With office real estate becoming scarce in some major markets, many companies are forced to spread their operations across numerous locations. Likewise, global companies require phone systems that work as effectively around the world as they do down the hall.
PBX vs. VOIP in Your Business
Fortunately, many IT professionals now understand that the phone system selection process doesn't have to be an "either-or" proposition. Virtual PBX phone systems offer the best of both worlds: flexible hardware deployment, with servers that can be installed on-site or remotely hosted. As more telecommunications companies offer broad support for VOIP, experienced service professionals are becoming easier to find, even in smaller cities. While not yet containing all of the best benefits from both PBX and VOIP phone systems, Virtual PBX offers a strong alternative for companies that find it hard to choose one telecommunications tool over another.
Sources
Baseline Magazine
New York Times
O'Reilly OnLamp
Wall Street Journal
ZDNet
Joe Taylor Jr. is an internal business consultant for a Fortune 500 company, who writes about finance, culture, and design. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Communications from Ithaca College.
