While private branch exchange (PBX) phone systems are old news, the technology driving them has not remained stagnant. In recent years, the emergence of VOIP as a viable, affordable, and reliable way to make practically free phone calls has given way to to the advent of the voip pbx system, which results in practically free calling. Calling on these systems can be so cheap first because the PBX system, by definition, excludes use of phone company infrastructure, allowing businesses to make unlimited calls internally. The addition of VOIP to the equation means that calling is practically free long distance (because the PSTN network is often engaged over the “last mile”), free incoming calls, free local calls, etc – and there is significant downward price pressure as more callers adopt VOIP, allowing them to bypass the phone company’s PSTN altogether by sticking to exclusively SIP protocol over the internet.

While such systems universally offer affordable calling (some are more affordable than others), there are still other factors worth considering when deciding which pbx system to install.

Ease of administration should probably be the first consideration. PBX networks are notoriously difficult to administer, so choosing a host that will 1) be available to assist with any changes (e.g., adding extensions, numbers, etc.) and 2) provide tools to make it easy to administer the network yourself should be a high priority.

Second, while features may seem like icing or bells and whistles, once they’re committed to habit they are really indispensable. Features like advanced voicemail, auto attendant, and portable were all formerly only scalable (affordable) for huge offices, but are now by provided by innovated providers. (We provide these as part of any business solution.)

Last, but certainly not least, consider the reliability of the provider of the solution. The VOIP business has relatively low barriers to entry, giving rise to many fly-by-night companies that are either here-today-gone-tomorrow or else that make their living by skimping on technology or service. Companies with good reputations and a wide variety of products will be able to tailor a voip pbx system to your exact needs.

The marriage of VOIP and PBX is a blessing for offices looking to save on IT and telecoms. But there is more to VOIP than just price: making sure the network is easy to administer, has features to make the system work for you, and is backed by a reliable company that offers a wide variety of products will make subscribers even happier with their switch.