PBX stands for public branch exchange.
It is a machine that handles your telephones calls
for you. Its main functions are to transfer calls to
different individual phones; play music when somebody
is put on hold; to play automated voice responses when
a call is received; to provide an options menu for
the caller etc. A traditional PBX machine and integrated
system is very expensive to buy, install and run. Typical
costs for a package can range from £5,000 to £15,000,
depending on the size of the network required, plus
a yearly maintenance contract range from £500
to £1,500 per year.
But all these expenses can be cut down to virtually
nothing by using a virtual PBX. It has all the functions
of a PBX and more but remove the need of installed
hardware. This cuts down the cost of engineer call
out fees if you ever need to do some changes to your
system, increase the flexibility of expanding functions,
and extra installation fee if you ever move premises.
Q1.
Why would you choose to use a virtual PBX rather than
a physical call management system (traditional PBX)?
It
is much cheaper to set up and in most cases, probably
cheaper to run and maintain. It also takes much less
time for a virtual PBX system to be set up because
it is “virtual” (usually within 48 hours
depends on the size of the project). It has all the
benefits of a PBX system but removes the problems of
PBX hardware. And it works just like any traditional
PBX and more.
Q2.
What can a virtual PBX do for you?
There is an endless list of the benefits that a virtual
PBX can bring to you.
Although Telenet can provide a Virtual PBX solution
for up to 5000 employees, we find virtual PBX
is most popular for small to medium sized companies
who do not want to (or find it risky to) invest thousands
of pounds on a one-off fee for a PBX at the start of
their business.
Virtual PBX has all the functions that a traditional
PBX has - and more!! It allows your firm to have auto
attendance function (e.g. Welcome to ABC Ltd.! For
Sales please press 1, for Accounts please press 2,
for Support please press 3) which presents a professional
image to your customer. – It allows your firm
to seem larger than it is!!
It also gives you a professional answering service.
Your customer no longer needs to hear a busy tone when
you are on the phone. You can choose to have music
to be played, or a count down voice (e.g. you are the
3rd in the queue, thank you for waiting and we’ll
be with you very shortly…etc.), or even a third
party receptionist to take a message for you!
Productivity can even increase as a result of the
use of a virtual PBX system. This is because you no
longer have to run around to pick up calls on nearby
desks that were meant for you but were dialed to a
colleague by mistake.
Q3.
What is the difference between a virtual PBX and an
traditional PBX system?
The most obvious difference is the absence of the
bulky equipment lying in an air-conditioned room as
with a traditional PBX. Another difference is that
customers can change aspects of the virtual service
to practically instantly as there is no equipment to
deal with.Q4.
What are the standard features of Telenet’s
virtual PBX system?
- Integrated voice response; a voice response when
a call is received and a menu option for the caller
to choose from.
- Queuing
- Changeable greetings
- Call transfer
- Music on hold
- Information on hold
Plus all the other features you will find with a traditional
PBX system. |
