How Do VoIP PBX Phone Systems Work?
How do VoIP PBX Phone Systems Work?
Businesses large and small need a method of organizing the large and complex amount of data generated by internal and external communications. For larger companies, this is definitely a major concern as the business impact of communications is far more significant that for that of say, a start-up company. So how does a business manage a large volume of phone calls? How does the business effectively integrate incoming outside calls into the internal call network? What is the most viable way of reducing downtime and missed calls?
A new technology called VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) might just be the solution to these questions that businesses across the country are routinely asking themselves. Voice over Internet Protocol is a means of transmitting telephone calls over the Internet, which saves both data and money. To date, the main means of solving the various internal and external communications problems has been to use a private branch exchange or PBX. A PBX allows businesses to set up their own private telephone exchange, and since electronic PBXs have made transmitting data much easier, it has proven to be an extremely cost-efficient solution.
A private branch exchange integrated with Voice over Internet Protocol can dramatically increase the productivity of businesses while simultaneously cutting communications costs and organizing internal and external telephone calls. VoIP PBXs connect all VoIP-enabled phones such as the Mitel 5220to a central computerized exchange, which automatically routes incoming and outgoing external and internal calls to their proper destinations. Since these calls are sent over an Internet connection, there are no separate phone lines to be maintained and thus no extra costs spent on maintaining the phone lines.
It should be noted that Private branch exchanges aren’t new - they have been used for telephone routing since electromechanical (and then fully electronic systems) took over from human-operated exchanges. Now that VoIP PBXs have begun to replace these now outdated exchanges, businesses have seen many changes come to their structure. Private branch exchanges using Voice over Internet Protocol have the advantage of existing as a physical system or completely virtually, as software. This helps businesses save enormous amounts of money by handling all communications completely electronically.
A prime example is that voicemail messages can now be automaticall transcribed and left in a worker’s e-mail inbox. Mobile phones can also be integrated into VoIP networks thus giving employees two internal call points - their mobile phone and their office phone. When an employee’s number is dialled, both their cell phone and their office phone rings, in order to double the likelihood of being reached. With information making up a significant portion of the world economy, a company’s ability to handle information more efficiently than competitors will be the factor that determines the competitive edge.
When combined with the fact that increased information efficiency also translates into superior customer service, the business can expect to find itself catapulted to the level of a first-class operation. By setting up their VoIP PBX in a way that suits them, a business can now handle vastly increased volumes of calls efficiently and quickly. This can also allow employees to handle personal phone calls as well as dealing with work call volumes. With VoIP, an employee can redirect calls to their voice mail if need be if they find they are being harassed or bothered.

