Hosted PBX

Benefits of Hosted PBX Phone Systems

When it's time to shop for a new business phone system, you can count on the fact that you'll have lots of options to choose from. One of the options you'll want to consider is a hosted PBX phone system -- a streamlined alternative to other products on the market.

Like most small business owners, you want the best of both worlds in your phone system.

You've done some preliminary research and seen all the features that are available in today's commercial telecommunication marketplace. But at the same time, you know that your bottom line can't handle the burden of a sophisticated phone system installation.

Hosted PBX systems are attractive alternatives for rapidly growing small businesses. Rather than installing costly infrastructure on-site, incoming calls are routed through the provider's data center and then transmitted to the appropriate extension through VoIP technology. Although hosted PBX phone systems aren't appropriate for companies with extremely high call center demands, they are worth considering for the average small business. Here are some of the benefits you can gain through hosted PBX.

• Centralization. Geographic diversity is a fact of life in a lot of companies. Hosted PBX solutions have a centralizing effect because they allow field personnel, remote workers and multiple site locations to participate in the business' central communication system.
• Reduced infrastructure. Hosted PBX transmits calls over the Internet using VoIP applications. That means you'll no longer have to deal with a key system or traditional PBX cabinet on-site. Instead, the bulk of the hardware requirements are handled at the provider's data center.
• VoIP features & integration. One of the advantages of a VoIP phone system is that it merges your phone and data resources. Voice communication can be seamlessly integrated with computer technology through single keystroke calling, caller ID, CRM, system monitoring, voice archiving and other important features.
• Fewer service headaches. Service is a major concern with traditional business phone systems. Hosted PBX offloads service headaches and downtime. Since the hardware is located at the provider's data center, you won't have to worry about trying to get a technician to service your PBX infrastructure when it goes down. Similarly, upgrades are handled on a system-wide basis rather than through site-by-site maintenance visits.
• Improved efficiency. Let's face it, you have better things to do than troubleshoot problems with your business phone system. The majority of small companies lack both the time and expertise to efficiently deal with maintenance and troubleshooting tasks. Hosted PBX transfers responsibility for those tasks to the provider and delivers greater efficiency to your company.
• Cost. Did we mention that you don't have to buy most of the initial infrastructure associated with a traditional PBX phone system? By avoiding the start up expense of a central PBX unit, most small businesses can afford to take advantage of PBX technology.

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