IP PBX Systems

Why Should You Go For IP PBX Systems?

The telephony service that uses data transfer over Internet is known as IP system. IP PBX systems or VoIP PBX systems make use of IP data networks to facilitate telecommunication. Here, IP PBX stands for Internet Protocol Private Branch Exchange.

The prime advantage of this type of system is that you need not replace your existing phones or their phone numbers. This is so because VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) technology uses the existing PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) lines by means of VoIP gateway. The working of IP PBX systems and reasons to go for such systems are discussed here.

Working of IP PBX systems (VoIP PBX systems)

The primary structure of an IP PBX system comprises of an IP PBX server, one or more SIP phones or VoIP phones, & a VoIP gateway. This gateway is used to connect to the existing PSTN lines, although it is optional. The IP PBX server functions like a proxy server.

The SIP or VoIP phones have to be registered with the IP PBX server. These phones can be either hardware phones or soft phones. When a call is to be made to another phone, a request is sent to the IP PBX server and the connection is established.

The IP PBX holds a directory of all users/phones along with their respective SIP addresses. Using this information, it connects to an internal call or routes an external call via some VoIP service provider (or a VoIP gateway), whichever is relevant. This process is fast and simple.

Advantages of IP PBX systems

The IP PBX systems are very easy to install, configure and manage. The reason is that an IP PBX runs as software on your computer. It uses the advanced processing power of your computer and the user interface of the operating system. Also, it is managed via a GUI or a web-based configuration interface. Contrary to this, a traditional phone system requires a trained professional for its installation, configuration and maintenance.

Substantial cost savings on long distance & international calls are also a reason to select IP PBX systems over other phone systems. If your company has branch offices, then you can make free calls between the branches. The phone wiring is almost eliminated in these systems. Hardware phones are connected directly to the computer's network port and software phones are installed on your computer.

You can intermix and match you phone with any other SIP-based IP PBX, VoIP provider or PSTN gateway. In the IP PBX systems, the computer handles a large array of phone lines & extensions, effortlessly. You simply have to add extra telephones to your network.

Better customer service and productivity, roaming, and better phone usability are some other advantages of IP PBX systems. These benefits make them highly sought after by many businesses.