How to choose business telephony system

In a landscape inundated with business telephony system options, it can be hard to know which system works best for which business.

Before you dive into different providers and systems, let’s go over the basics and get some background information on the subject. There are two main types of telephone systems you’ll need to be aware of: a PBX and the PSTN.

Beyond that, there are a few types of PBX phone systems that can be personalized to suit the needs of a given organization. There is an abundance of information out there about each type of PBX, and while that may seem intimidating, it doesn’t have to be – we’ve got your back! We’ve outlined everything you need to know about PBX and included a crash course in each type of system.

What is a PBX and how does it compare to the PSTN?

A PBX, or Private Branch Exchange, refers to the enterprise phone system that handles inbound and outbound calls, both internally and externally for an organization. Traditionally, PBX systems function on copper phone lines.

The PSTN, or Public Switched Telephone Network, is the worldwide telephone line system accessed by the public. Unlike PSTN phone systems, PBX systems are private and primarily used as business phone systems.

SIP Trunking

SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) trunking is a layer on top of an IP PBX that uses an existing PBX to route calls around the world via an internet connection. Because these calls take place on internet infrastructure rather than old school copper phone lines, organizations have access to any customer around the world – so long as they have a phone number.

SIP systems enable existing phone systems to function in the cloud, providing businesses the flexibility to meet customers on reliable phone lines no matter where they are located. SIP phone calls are routed through a business’s existing phone system and on-premise PBX, through a SIP trunk, and on to the outside world through network infrastructure.

VoIP PBX is a private branch exchange system that switches calls between VoIP users and analog users on local lines while allowing all users to share external phone lines. Unlike Hosted/Cloud VoIP, VoIP PBX still uses physical equipment that must be installed and maintained at your office.

The problem with VoIP PBX is that, rather than pushing business communications forward, it instead serves as a stopgap between outdated analog infrastructure and modern cloud-hosted platforms. Depending on the unique needs of your business, VoIP PBX may still be a viable option.