In today’s fast-paced business environment, staying connected is essential. Reliable and efficient communication systems are the backbone of operations for organisations of all sizes. Enter the PABX system — an advanced, feature-rich solution to streamline internal and external communication. Whether you’re a small business or a large enterprise, a PABX telephone system can provide seamless connectivity, enhance productivity and reduce operational costs.
If you’re considering upgrading your business’s communication infrastructure, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know about PABX systems and their benefits.
What is PABX?
PABX, or Private Automatic Branch Exchange, is a managed private network within an organisation consisting of many lines and stations. PABX uses a range of different platforms for communication, such as Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) and more. In a PABX system or PABX phone system, a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) facilitates connections provided by the service provider.
To put emphasis on the significance of PABX, without an automated system, a business might have to install a separate phone line for each desk. And not to mention that in a traditional separate phone-line system, calls from each desk are charged like normal calls. However, things are different with a PABX phone system. A PABX system can facilitate shared phone lines and the businesses don’t need to install separate lines for each desk; so much so that even 20-30 phone lines can facilitate up to 200 virtual phone lines. In addition, it allows employees to call each other by only dealing with short extension numbers, and above all, the calls are free of cost.
The system works efficiently, as not all employees are supposed to be on calls simultaneously, and the system can seamlessly transfer calls between executives. A good example of this will be a call centre where fewer physical phone lines are used than in a traditional big retail store. PABX systems have proven to be quite useful for small businesses as they work on a limited cash flow.
How Does PABX Work?
PABX consists of a few integral components, i.e., a housing for internal parts, a switchboard console for operators, a computer for processing data, lines for connecting PABX to PSTN, necessary system hardware, endpoints (phone, fax machine, and other terminals), etc.
Talking about how PABX functions, modern systems use VoIP for sending and receiving digital signals. Once the analogue signal is converted into a digital one, the system can manage it the way it wants, similar to any other information that is digital in nature. Some other advanced features that PABX offers include voicemail to email, auto-attendant, conferencing, hold music and/or message, caller ID, call forwarding, speed dial, redial, etc. Here is a rundown of the key benefits PABX systems provide businesses:
- Cost savings — Reduce the need for multiple phone lines and eliminate charges for internal calls.
- Efficiency — Enable seamless call transfers and easy extension dialling.
- Scalability — Expand the system as your business grows without significant additional costs.
- Feature-rich — Enjoy advanced features like voicemail to email, auto-attendants and call forwarding.
- Flexibility — Use shared lines and virtual numbers to optimise communication infrastructure.
Should You Setup Your Own PABX System or Opt for a Hosted One?
Since PABX has become a necessity for both large and small businesses, one should be quite careful about installing one. Setting up an in-house PABX can result in a hefty investment that will also attract maintenance costs. A business will also have to employ highly skilled IT professionals to resolve any issues (that occur occasionally) and update the whole system.
On the other hand, PABX service providers offer this whole setup as a service along with maintenance, and businesses only have to pay fixed monthly charges for it. Therefore, opting for a hosted phone system is a far better choice than installing the whole system at your workplace, especially for small businesses.
Choosing the Right PABX System for a Small Business
Choosing the right small business PABX phone system is critical for an upcoming business as it might play a crucial role in successfully running the business. Factors such as the number of employees, the cost of a hosted PABX system and its connectivity to different departments are important. However, there are some factors that hold more significance. These factors are:
- Location of Customers — Businesses often want to achieve and maintain a local presence in geographical areas of their customers even if they are not physically present there. In such a situation, a system that facilitates long-distance and/or international calls can be quite beneficial.
- Location of Employees — Businesses that operate on a regional or international level hire employees belonging to specific geographic locations as those employees have a better understanding of the consumer mindset and behaviour. A PABX system can frequently forward calls to specific executives and establish a connection between the company and customers from almost anywhere in the world.
- Future Plans — PABX systems are not stagnant. In fact, they are quite scalable and can be upgraded easily as the requirements of a business increase. Therefore, businesses that follow a dynamic style of work and have changing needs don’t have to worry about the scalability of the system.
Why GenesysTel
GenesysTel is one of the top corporate telecommunication services companies in Australia that uses state-of the-art equipment and technology for delivering tailor-made telecom solutions such as PABX. Our hosted PABX services are quite flexible in nature as businesses can opt for a plan and infrastructure that precisely suit their requirements. This is a truly integrated solution that delivers exactly what you need.
Conclusion — Small businesses require little to virtually no investment when opting for a smart and integrated, PABX phone system as service providers such as GenesysTel offer a range of flexible plans to begin with. PABX systems enable businesses to avail the benefits of feature-rich phone systems without installing any high-end software and/or equipment, and make their business available in the service of their customers from anywhere in the world.
Ready to elevate your business communication with a PABX system?
Discover how an efficient PABX telephone system can simplify your operations, improve customer satisfaction, and scale effortlessly with your business. Contact GenesysTel today to learn how our customised PABX systems can transform your business.