Save Money While Sounding Like A Huge Corporation With Hosted PBX

Traditionally, large offices bought or rented equipment known as a PBX, or public branch exchange system that allowed them to run complex, in-house telecommunications systems with features such as an automated attendant, voicemail, and call-transferring. These systems are often expensive to install and maintain, requiring equipment and labor. With advances in technology, hosted PBX systems have become available that do not require any investment in equipment. With a hosted PBX, all telecommunications services traditionally handled by a PBX are now run off-site, with the end-user simply needing a phone with a standard number.

With a hosted PBX, when a call comes into your business's number it is immediately routed to the host's PBX system, which can be anywhere in the world. Their system answers the call and the automated attendant offers options to the caller on who they want to reach. Depending on their selection, the call is either sent to voicemail, which is also handled by the host's PBX, or forwarded to the appropriate number.

One of the best features about a hosted PBX is the ability to have calls forwarded to any phone, anywhere in the world. Employees can work from home or on trips as if they were still at their desk. All that they have to do is program their currently available number into the PBX, and the call will find them. With some services, employees can even input multiple numbers so that the calls ring their office first, then their cell, and so on, eventually finding them. With hosted PBX you get a truly virtual office.

Because the cost of equipment is shared by many in one of these systems, the features offered are often far better than what you would find with an on-premises PBX. These services include advanced call forwarding options, automated attendants, and voicemail, among other features.

How does this system work? A call placed over the phone, or public switched telephone network (PSTN) is routed to the service provider's equipment. Their equipment then routes the call to the appropriate destination, either internally through voicemail or e-fax, or back over the PSTN to your office, where the phone with the appropriate number is rung. Of course, as previously stated, that number can actually be anywhere in the world. If the number is answered, the call is transferred. If not, the call is sent to the voicemail that is internal to the host's system.

One important feature is the holding queue, a feature that is not standard and comes usually with the higher-end services. With this feature, the host's system will hold the call until it is ready to be answered by the appropriate extension. Often, callers can choose to leave a message instead. This is a feature you don't want to do without.

Another key feature on higher-end systems is automatic call distribution queues. These ACDs monitor employee calling times and route traffic more effectively. Callers spend less time on hold, and calls are more evenly distributed amongst employees. More effective call routing means happier customers and employees.

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