The telephone is a device that provides connectivity between businesses, partners and clients. It is also the communication gateway for customers to easily reach the business. As a matter of fact, one of the most important tool an organization should have is the business phone system. This is a system that gives the business the ability to manage and gain full control of its telecommunication services.Components
A typical phone system is composed of two elements: telephone set and the controlling system. A telephone set is a device that transmits/receives voice and sounds. It is usually at the receiving end of a phone system. A controlling system, on the other hand, provides the functionality. Depending on the type, a basic system usually comprised of a controlling processor, software and add-on connectivity such as PSTN card or VoIP ethernet.
Types
Because of varying business requirements, different types of phone systems were developed:
- PBX (Private Branch eXchange) – a circuit switched and premise based system that provides management and exchange between internal and external phone lines.
- Key System – a smaller premise based system that provides individual buttons for each business phone lines.
- Hosted or Centrex (Central Exchange) – a system that provides switching from the hosting provider.
- IP PBX (Internet Protocol PBX) – a system that utilizes the internet and are usually associated with a VoIP system.
Common and Advanced Features
The following are few of the most common features being offered by different service providers:
- Auto Attendant
- Call Convergence
- Call Conferencing
- Call Forwarding
- Dial by Name Directory
- Internet Fax
- Music On-Hold
- Voicemail
