Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is becoming a common technology to have in the workplace. Businesses of all sizes are beginning to take advantage of the numerous benefits of VoIP. One business VoIP option that is gaining popularity due to its affordable and easy set-up is hosted PBX (News - Alert).

 

With hosted PBX, a telephony system is supplied via an Internet download and then managed by an outside service. It enables companies and entrepreneurs to enhance their professional image and allows them to quickly expand their business.

 

With so many options and service providers out there today, finding the right hosted PBX solution can be a bit overwhelming.

 

Some services over a wide range of calling features but make it difficult to combine those features without raising the cost of the plan. Other providers may offer basic services for a low price but might be unable to grow with the business's need for enhanced calling features.

 

Before a business sets out on the hunt for a hosted PBX service plan, it should first be knowledgeable about the types of services available and how they work.

 

A Private Branch eXchange, or a telephone exchange system that serves one business, was first launched to help companies manage their phone systems through in-house operators. Today, instead of just connecting calls, PBX systems also connect fax machines, computer modems, and other types of technology that transmit through phone lines.

 

When first introduced, PBX systems were readily accepted by businesses using VoIP. However, they had to find a way to benefit for this advanced technology without spending a fortune. This is where hosted PBX came in – instead of a telephone exchange system being located at the business, it is located at the site of the VoIP host. With hosted VoIP, a small business can take advantage of a comprehensive VoIP system without having to maintain a staff to keep that system working.

 

Today, virtual PBX providers are expanding their services to include messaging, call-forwarding, and call-waiting options, as well as calling features such as automatic dialing. PBX hosting also provides innovative features that are unique to the integration of the phone and computer.

 

Customer communications now include more than just voice; they now rely on e-mail, Web, and IM. With this move, businesses have been forced to manage multiple independent systems to remain competitive and serve their customers. 

 

Thinking Phone Networks, a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS (News - Alert)) provider, offers C3Voice, a hosted PBX service that eliminates the cost and complexity of a premise-based system. Since the PBX is located centrally within the company’s distributed network, it provides a reliable, scalable voice platform with unique integration possibilities across the entire C3 (News - Alert) Suite.

 

The company was founded by industry veterans who understood these problems first hand, from managing sales, support, and services teams across several successful companies. 

 

Launched in mid-October, C3 is the industry’s first solution combining customer communications with customer management applications on a single hosted platform. It is also the first and only hosted service platform that leverages advanced analytics to provide a coherent view of customer interactions including voice, instant messaging, e-mail, Web, sales and support activity. With C3, managers can make fully informed business decisions.