Create Your Own Business Phone System with Nextiva Connect Virtual PBX

The influx of next generation communication technologies has given small and medium-sized businesses the tools to compete with larger enterprises. Nextiva, a provider of cloud-based business VoIP phone systems and virtual PBX technologies, is one of the leaders in this movement.

Nextiva's Connect virtual PBX system can help a small organization turn an otherwise unconnected series of phone numbers into a well organized and highly professional business phone system, complete with call routing, virtual mailboxes and an automated dial-by-name directory.

To get started, simply pick a phone number from Nextiva's list of available options or move an existing number over to the service. From here, you can record a customized greeting, set up a virtualized call attendant and establish predetermined call rules.

Callers will be greeted with one-touch options for various departments, such as sales or service, and will then be automatically delivered to whatever number you specify. The virtual PBX system can make organizations look larger than they would otherwise appear while simultaneously connecting one or more employees' cell phones, home phones and work phones with a singular number.

Furthermore, Nextiva allows users to choose additional toll-free and local numbers to give their business a multi-city appearance. With Nextiva's smallest plan, as many as 10 different numbers can ring to the same destination.

Incoming calls can be routed to as many as five different numbers, one after the other, ensuring that no work call will ever go unanswered. For example, the system can be programmed so that a user's work number, house number and cell phone number all ring when the original call is placed.

In addition, the company's virtual PBX system enables users to create a directory that customers can navigate through to find the extension that they need.  The auto attendant can be turned off or on at the behest of the user.

Features like voicemail-to-email, call history and profile scheduling can all be managed through an easy-to-use Web portal interface. Best of all, there are no setup fees or long-term contracts. The service is offered on a month-to-month basis at three low rates. Users are never charged for forwarding or retrieving messages, and can upgrade to the company's Nextiva Office or SIP Trunking services at any time.

Click here for more information on Connect and other Nextiva virtual PBX solutions.

Want to learn more about the latest in communications and technology? Then be sure to attend ITEXPO West 2011, taking place Sept. 13-15, 2011, in Austin, Texas. ITEXPO offers an educational program to help corporate decision makers select the right IP-based voice, video, fax and unified communications solutions to improve their operations. It's also where service providers learn how to profitably roll out the services their subscribers are clamoring for – and where resellers can learn about new growth opportunities. To register, click here.

Beecher Tuttle is a virtual-pbx contributor. He has extensive experience writing and editing for print publications and online news websites. He has specialized in a variety of industries, including health care technology, politics and education. To read more of his articles, please visit his columnist page.

Edited by Jamie Epstein