IP PBX: Ten reasons to switch

What is an IP PBX?

An IP PBX is a complete telephony system that provides telephone calls over IP data networks. All conversations are sent as data packets over the network.

The technology includes advanced communication features but also provides a significant dose of worry-free scalability and robustness that all enterprises seek. The IP PBX is also able to connect to traditional PSTN lines via an optional gateway -- so upgrading day-to-day business communication to this most advanced voice and data network is a breeze!

Enterprises don't need to disrupt their current external communication infrastructure and operations. With IP PBX deployed, an enterprise can even keep its regular telephone numbers. This way, the IP PBX switches local calls over the data network inside the enterprise and allows all users to share the same external phone lines.

How it works

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Figure 1: How an IP PBX integrates into the network

An IP PBX system consists of one or more SIP phones, an IP PBX server and optionally a VoIP gateway to connect to existing PSTN lines. The IP PBX server functions in a similar manner to a proxy server: SIP clie

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nts, being either soft phones or hardware-based phones, register with the IP PBX server, and when they wish to make a call they ask the IP PBX to establish the connection. The IP PBX has a directory of all phones/users and their corresponding SIP address and thus is able to connect an internal call or route an external call via either a VoIP gateway or a VoIP service provider. More information and commonly asked questioned about IP PBXs can be found on IP PBX, SIP & VoIP FAQ.

The top 10 benefits Conclusion

Investing in a software-based IP PBX makes a lot of sense, not only for new companies buying a phone system, but also for companies who already have a PBX. An IP PBX delivers such significant savings in management, maintenance, and ongoing call costs, that upgrading to an IP PBX, should be the obvious choice for any company.

About the author:
Nick Galea is CEO of 3CX, a developer of IP PBX software. Nick has written articles and whitepapers about network administration, telecommunications software, security and VoIP.

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