What is the acronym PABX? It stands for private automated branch exchange. Clear as mud right? So, what is that in simple terms. It all started around solving telephony needs. A business typically needed a fixed landline to make and receive voice calls. This then scaled in requirements as businesses needed multiple extensions. Over time this scaled to call centre environments, where many service agents needed to take calls from a single incoming number. This then further evolved into queuing systems and the needs to route calls to the right groups of users or service agents. Then a further complication arose, where those agents may be situated in different physical office locations. So now we understand the concept of voice call routing and management.
A PABX has two keywords within it. Firstly, exchange, meaning you can route calls from one number and/or user to another or even groups of users. And secondly the word automated, meaning you do not need a human to control and monitor those routings or exchanges. You will often see the acronym PBX used instead or alongside PABX the only difference being the A for automated.
What do I use a PABX system for?
Not too many years ago a business only really needed to worry about telephones and some fixed desktop computers. These days it’s far more complicated, with desktops, laptops, tablets and cell phones. Additionally, businesses do not necessarily own all the equipment any longer. An employee may be using their own device but need to connect to company infrastructure to do their job.
Each of these devices may have a need for voice telephony. This no longer needs to be a dedicated telephone piece of hardware. A PABX system will enable the mapping of telephony requirements to many types of devices, as long as they are connected to a central hosted service via the internet.
So, a PABX system will be hosted and managed by a service provider, often referred to as an ISP (Internet Service Provider). PABX’s are far more than just voice call routing and mapping services. They can also facilitate other services like call conferencing, video conferencing, instant chat, call waiting and recording services.
PABX’s no longer rely on fixed telephone lines. They are hosted in the cloud, so they are only really on a data connection to function. Cloud based services have the advantage of security layers, low latency and downtime and lower costs.
The recent and rapid movement to home working or remote working adds a further complexity where your staff may be located outside of a fixed office and in hundreds of locations, and this is where the Mytelnet cloud based communications system can either compliment your existing in office PABX system, or replace it fully.
How do I get a cloud PABX system and how does it help remote work?
You have probably also heard of the term VOIP (voice over internet protocol) this is a voice call that gets converted into a digital signal. This is the key difference to how an old traditional telephone used to function. Now all you need is data to pass audio between users and their chosen devices.
Most cloud PABX systems will come with the ability to integrate with multiple devices. From desktops to mobiles and conference phones or video conference phones. In many cases the PABX provider will even supply that equipment as part of the service, meaning you do not need to configure, own or maintain expensive hardware devices.
Ideally a PABX systems provider will not only offer the equipment but should be able to offer integration into your existing data connected devices. So, if you already have a VOIP phone or a mobile device the system should integrate and work seamlessly on all those devices.
The best thing about cloud based PABX is that you can use the platform on any device in any location. This means remote working becomes a reality without the need for large expensive enterprise infrastructure.
At Mytelnet our communications platform gives you everything that your current PABX provides and more. It can easily integrate with your new or existing Internet Protocol hardware, such as your desk and conference phones. You can add as many landlines as you need to connect with your customers and suppliers as our platform comes with a simple portal for the management of users, numbers, and user groups. What’s more it has an easily downloadable App (Android or Apple) that brings your company number right onto your mobile phone.
We offer flexible, month-to-month packages removing the worry that comes with long-term contracts and offer your business the flexibility to scale up and down during uncertain times.
So, to get your teams fully connected no matter where they are, with a seamless cloud telephone solution contact Mytelnet. Effortless conversations are only a few minutes away, start your free trial and be a part of the business communication revolution.