Hosted PBX Featured Articles

A hosted PBX (News - Alert) system can prove to be extremely beneficial to small and medium sized organizations. By combining Voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP) and cloud technology, hosted PBX providers allow businesses to have a sophisticated phone system, without all of the expensive on-site equipment. Your small business can have the telephone services of a much larger company, with options for an automated attendant who can direct calls, options for unified messaging and extension dialing.

The benefits of using a hosted PBX are plentiful, from low costs to mobility for employees and built-in backups, but this solution may not be for everyone. Let me clue you in on three things you should take into consideration before committing to a contract:

Can your Internet Provider Handle a Hosted PBX?  

Each internet provider is different, and this needs to be taken into consideration before you signed the dotted line for a new hosted PBX system. Like most VoIP technology, reliable Internet access is required for everything to run smoothly. Hosted PBX systems require the proper bandwidth to operate with ease. Many affordable services are shared networks, which commonly causes bandwidth outages. It is often better to bring in a separate connection just for phones, but this can add to the overall cost of your hosted PBX plan, something to be aware of when creating your budget.

Is Installation as Easy as Promised? 

With a Hosted PBX system the only equipment that is kept on site, aside from the Internet connection, is your organization’s phones. This makes installation sound pretty easy, but this might not be the case. Many customers find themselves with unexpected installations. Depending on the amount of work stations your company has, you might need a switch for your internet router, and this isn’t always provided by phone companies. Also, if you decide that you need a new Internet connection, this installation will add to the process of implementing a new system. Depending on what needs to be done to prepare your office for hosted PBX, it could end up costing you thousands of extra dollars. 

Is Your Provider Being Honest?

Many salespeople are trying to make the highest profit possible when selling you a new hosted PBX system. When putting together total costs, providers may just include one particular model of phone. Yet, what some providers don’t tell you is that there are possibly cheaper options. Some providers can work with different types of phone models in different work stations, allowing organizations to put cheaper models in less important places. Armed with the proper information and knowing the right questions to ask can help you get the best deal possible.

Taking this information into consideration, you are now properly equipped to decide whether or not your company is ready to take the next steps toward a hosted PBX system.