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Are You Connected to a PBX Phone System?

Tristan Anwyn

May 12, 2015

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Could your small business benefit from a better phone system?

For small businesses, it can be tempting to stick with the telephone system that is already in place, perhaps a landline number, with a mobile number for each staff member.

Often, this is their own private number. But there's much more your phone system could be doing for your business.

So just what is a PBX system and what can it do for your small business?

What Is a PBX Phone System?

A PBX phone system connects together all the phones in your small business. This can be using a traditional on-site private branch exchange which connects to the public telephone service (a "landline").

As the following article looks at, many small businesses now are choosing lighter and more flexible options such as a small business PBX phone system that is based on VoIP (voice over internet protocol) technology or one that is hosted at the service provider's location. 

There are many options available: Some businesses choose to use an IP-based PBX solution that is installed and run in their office, allowing them to switch between VoIP phones, traditional phones, or both.

Others opt for a hosted PBX system which eliminates the need for hardware or software in the office, as the system is hosted remotely or even in the cloud, with all functionality being handled by the PBX provider.

Benefits of a PBX Phone System

A PBX phone system means you can make use of features and functionality that are truly helpful to your small business.

Because there are many different options available, you can pick and choose from the options that work best for you, building a PBX system that works well for your business. 

Many PBX phone systems these days offer a wealth of features that can make a big difference to your small business:

• Auto attendant to help you connect customers to the right person;
• Voice mail services that sync up with your email to make sure you never miss a message;
• Conference call facilities to keep your team in touch with each other no matter where they are;
• Find and follow me features that will dial numbers in sequence to increase your customers' chances of reaching you when they need to;
• Mobile and internet functionality so you can make and receive calls even if you're not near your desk phone;
• Whisper and barge in technology to help managers train and support employees while they're taking calls.

A PBX system takes your telephony beyond calls and texts, offering you rich features that will make a discernible impact on how you handle your day to day business communications.

Choosing the Right PBX for Your Business 

When choosing the right PBX for your small business, it's important to remember that not every type of system will offer every feature.

Think about any pain points you may be struggling with when it comes to telephone communications, such as too many missed calls, long wait times for customers or keeping staff members in touch with each other. Look for PBX services that offer you solutions for those pain points.

Cost and ease of use are also important considerations.

Cloud-based and virtual PBX systems often offer lower start-up costs and scalable services so you only pay for what you need. A hosted service will also remove the pressure of installing, handling and updating software and hardware. 

When it comes to choosing the right PBX system for your small business, pinpoint what you need so you can see which services will offer you the best features and flexibility to suit your needs and budget.

By looking for a PBX system that truly serves your business, you can dial up both your customer service and your efficiency, making your telephone system a truly useful business tool.

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