With the recent advancements in telecommunications, businesses can now enjoy the benefits of a private branch exchange without the hefty price tag of purchasing one themselves. This can be attributed to the fact that more companies are turning to hosted PBX as a way of providing the same features and functionality at a considerably cheaper rate. If you’re interested in discovering the versatility that a hosted PBX can offer, keep reading.
Features
Similar to a traditional PBX, a hosted PBX provides its customers with a wide range of features, making calls to other departments, making calls to international numbers, recording messages, etc. The main difference is that customers have access to these features on a web-based dashboard rather than having to navigate through a proprietary user interface on their phones. This can be highly convenient for those who need to access these tools frequently while on the move. Furthermore, companies can now save a great deal of money by having a single company provide multiple PBX services instead of having to hire two separate companies.
Convenience
One of the primary benefits of a hosted PBX is that customers can access their account and tools from any device of their choice. Traditional PBXes require that customers use a specific set of devices (office phone, cell phone, etc.) in order to access their services, but with a hosted PBX, employees can log in from any device. This can make a world of difference in terms of user convenience and productivity while on the job. Furthermore, since everything is handled remotely, there’s no need to worry about upgrades or maintenance – the provider will take care of everything. This keeps the business owners or managers happy as it prevents them from having to worry about tech support issues that may arise.
Lower Cost
Companies can save a lot of money by having a single provider handle all of their telecommunications needs instead of having to outsource this to different companies. While the initial cost of a hosted PBX is a bit higher than a traditional model, it becomes much more cost-effective over time. Furthermore, since companies can purchase additional features and plan packages, they can enjoy the benefits of enterprise-class PBXs for much less money. Even better, since phone companies have started offering discounts for existing customers, it can be a win-win for businesses to become a part of this Hosted PBX community.
Compatibility
Another significant difference between a traditional PBX and a hosted PBX is that the latter is highly compatible with various technologies and systems. This is largely due to the fact that the platform was designed to be accessed and used via a web browser rather than a proprietary application. As a result, hosted PBXes can operate seamlessly within an existing IT infrastructure without needing upgrades or modifications. Traditional PBXes, on the other hand, require specific software to be installed on each phone, which in some cases can be a challenge. Furthermore, businesses that use traditional PBXes often find themselves needing additional hardware, such as FXO lines or IP Trunking, to enable them to take advantage of all the offered features.
Customization
One of the significant advantages of a hosted PBX is that it allows businesses to customize the look and feel of their account according to their preference. Since the application was designed to be accessed via a web browser rather than a proprietary client, administrators can easily change the colors, fonts, and even remove some of the modules and features if they decide that this is not for their business. Furthermore, there’s also the option of adding additional functionality, such as allowing users to access voicemail or changing the default greeting, to make the platform even more user-friendly and convenient.
Security
One of the primary concerns of any business owner or manager is ensuring the security of their phone system. This can be challenging when operating a traditional PBX, especially since companies need to ensure that only authorized users have access to critical phone numbers and features. This can be even more complex when companies want to ensure that only certain employees have access to this information. A hosted PBX eliminates this security concern as all accounts are encrypted, signed-in sessions, and accessed using a username and password – which can be reset at any time if compromised. This makes it much more convenient for businesses as it prevents them from having to worry about securing their phones against unauthorized users or devices.
Scalability
Another significant advantage of a hosted PBX is that it allows businesses to easily scale up or down as needed. While some companies may prefer to have a stable, pre-defined plan for their telephony needs, they can easily modify their account to become hosted if scalability is a priority. This can be a significant advantage for businesses that experience high call volumes or grow rapidly based on an increase in customer demand.
As you can see, there are many perks to having a Hosted PBX. If you’re searching for a new telephone system for your business, this could be a simpler, more cost-effective option. What are you waiting for?