The virtual PBX market is expanding as businesses across the world continue to take advantage of the cloud-based system that gives them an alternative to the cost-intensive hardware-based telephony infrastructure installed at their premises.

Recently, Infonetics (News - Alert) Research revealed that the virtual PBX (News - Alert) equipment market was up 6 percent in 2011 when compared to 2010. Global PBX revenue has also increased by 2 percent, mainly driven by strong sales in both Asia and Latin America.

The latest to jump head first into the Virtual PBX space is SYNETY, a provider of cloud communications solutions. The company recently launched CloudCall, a new solution that allows companies to host their telephone systems in the cloud.

“CloudCall has strong appeal to smaller companies because it lets them focus on their business, without the hassle of choosing, buying, deploying and managing a PBX, or managing line rentals,” said Mark Seemann, chief executive officer of SYNETY, in a statement. “It’s also attractive to businesses that already have a phone system but need to quickly expand call capacity, or add functionality without the capital expense or overheads.”

The virtual PBX service works over a broadband connection. Businesses only are required to have VoIP handsets to leverage the PBX, as no other hardware equipment or software is required.

The CloudCall virtual PBX boasts multiple innovative features such as direct dial numbers, unlimited voicemail, call recording, an auto-receptionist to greet callers while they wait, and faxing capabilities. The solution also helps users manage and handle calls more efficiently, saving several vital hours per month.

In addition, the virtual PBX can be seamlessly integrated with Microsoft (News - Alert) Exchange, allowing users to keep call logs stored as if they were emails, so that they can review them afterwards.

The overall benefit of the CloudCall virtual PBX is that it provides businesses with an enterprise-grade telephony system at a reduced cost and on a pay-as-you-grow basis.