Cloud PBX systems are taking the business world by storm, particularly after the Covid-19 pandemic. Perhaps the best way to list the benefits of a cloud PBX System, would be to explore what a PBX System is.
What is a PBX System?
A cloud PBX System is a way to connect your office phone lines to your employees wherever they are. A private branch exchange (PBX) is a telephone system within an enterprise that switches calls between users on local lines, while enabling all users to share a certain number of external phone lines.
How Does it Work?
In a few different ways:
- Via traditional copper landline telephone lines that all hook up to a central PBX box, and branch out to a variety of office phones and, possibly, a few external/trunk lines. This technology, whilst still effective, is rather outdated, especially since more people are working in more hybrid environments and aren’t always in the office.
- Via digital phone signals. So, pretty much the same way we’re all hooked up to Wi-Fi these days, PBX systems can use Internet Protocols to transfer voice and video calls to various locations across the world.
- Via a digital cloud. All the information for your PBX is tucked away in cyberspace and ready for you to access as long as you have an internet connection to access the information. This means, you could have access to the communication resources you need, even if your 250kms away from your office desk.
Types of PBX systems
There are three primary types of PBX systems: hosted, or cloud PBX ,on-premises or SIP trunking.
- Hosted: With a hosted PBX, your business phone will be based in the cloud. Setting up a hosted PBX system only requires signing up for the service and buying the actual phones. Setup takes a few minutes rather than several weeks, and cloud-hosting enables you to easily add or turn off certain additional features. Plus, since you’re the account manager, you have full control over your business phones.
- On-premises: An on-premises PBX system can be a solid fit if you don’t expect your company to grow. That’s because the upfront cost of an on-premises system can be lower than the long-term cost of monthly payments for a hosted PBX system. Even the occasional maintenance fees to keep your network running shouldn’t add up to more than what monthly payments would cost. However, with an on-premises solution, you will be responsible for maintenance, which likely requires trained IT professionals to be on staff.
- PBX SIP trunking: SIP trunking allows you to convert an existing landline PBX to a cloud-based phone system, lowering costs and expanding available features. These include tools like softphone apps and reporting analytics. (Business News Daily; Simone Johnson; February 2023)
Where Does MFP Group Products and Services Fit In?
MFP Group offers two types of PBX's : Cloud Hosting and On-premises hardware.
Which means that we offer:
- Cloud PBX's to the growing & offices with multiple branches or sites.
- Clients can choose to purchase the telephones upfront or to rent them on a monthly basis.
- Our cloud PBX offering is month-to-month, meaning that we can expand or decrease the size of your telephone system as required.
- On-Site PBX's are for those companies that are in one location and have a dedicated staff complement.
Looking for a solution to upgrade your telephone system?
Contact MFP Group in Johannesburg, Cape Town or East London for all your PABX requirements
MFP Group offers two types of PBX's : Cloud Hosting and On-premises hardware.
To view more on our options, click here to view some of the best options to keeping your office connected.
