Communication Extension with a Mobile PBX System

Mobile devices are small handheld or pocket-sized gadgets that are useful for a wide range of tasks that include; taking notes, web-surfing, personal information management, invoicing, barcode scanning, calling, and many more. These devices were designed to work reliably in different condition and environment.  Up to date, there are already an array of high tech gadgets like media players, PDAs, digital videos/cameras, gaming consoles, ultra mobile PCs, smart phones, calculators, tablet PCs and mobile phones.

These devices, like the mobile/smart phones, are also designed for numerous applications. As a matter of fact other services like the hosted PBX for instance, took advantage of these devices and extend its functionality to operate with them. This led to the emergence of the mobile PBX phone system. This new phone system does not only manage calls on a mobile or smart phone but can also be effective in forwarding data, managing configuration and running application to exploit other PBX system functionality. Moreover, connected devices to the mobile PBX can be easily reached by dialing the defined extension.

The mobile PBX can further enhance the communication effectiveness of the business because it can facilitate connectivity between internal and external teams. With cost management as well as the smart calling features, different teams can now communicate with each other easily and the cheaper way.

Some of its useful features include the call divert; split billing for personal and business calls; time/date based outgoing call blocking; creation of hunt group numbers; and a web-based account for management and configuration.

Although many have thought that these ubiquitous mobile phones serves as a threat to the PBX and virtual PBX system vendors. But with the advances in technology, it became an added enhancement to create yet another business phone solution.

Basic IP PBX Phone System Setup Information

The IP PBX (Internet Protocol Private Branch eXchange) is a type of phone system designed to utilize the internet in transmitting voice, video and other data. IP PBX can also be used in exchanging information with a PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network). It can also be merged with the VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) to avail of cheaper call costs. This IP PBX phone system is available as software, hardware or a virtual variant.

The main components

• PBX software – open-source software from the likes of Asterisk, FreeSWITCH, OpenPBX, etc, can be installed and configured on a decent PC with a minimum specifications of 450MHz CPU, 128MB RAM, Ethernet and built-in sound.

• Phones – SIP phones from Avaya, Cisco, etc. can be purchased and used for this phone system. But sometimes it is easier to get started with the soft phone, such as XLite, that is installed on a PC. Older analog phones, with the use of special adapters, can be utilized as well.

• SIP gateway – allows the phone system to communicate with other PSTN phone networks. In order to obtain this,  a paid service subscription from providers such as OnSIP, MediaRing, VoiceJet, etc. is required.

• Network – a basic home networking behind a NAT firewall or gateway router is all that is needed. It is important to have a static IP address assigned to the IP PBX system.

Setting up the system

1. Sign-up with a SIP service provider. It is recommended to find a suitable provider that offers an affordable service. Subscribe by visiting and registering in the provider’s website.
2. Set-up the network by picking a static IP address.
3. Configure the phones to be used.
4. Install and configure the PBX software.

Why a Virtual PBX is better than a Traditional PBX

To achieve the communication goal of connecting departments, employees and other important business contacts, the quickest and fastest way requires the use of a private branch exchange or PBX. Businesses have seen the importance of this phone system as an essential communication tool.

How this helpful PBX phone system works? It works by connecting various communication devices or equipments of a company such as telephones, fax machines and modems as a physical extension to the main business number. With the use of a single number, the cost of using too many phone lines can then be eliminated.

With growing demands and increasing popularity, it has become a comprehensive business communication solution for managing calls. As more features are being incorporated, and the technology of the internet and telecommunication being merged, the traditional PBX has evolved into a virtual PBX system. This phone system, also known as a hosted service, eliminates the use of physical lines and wires. It uses the internet, instead, to connect phones as extensions virtually.

Virtual phone systems can efficiently work with many businesses because it does not require the purchase of expensive and bulky communication hardware. Everything resides on the hosting provider’s premise. Meaning, all the business has to do is to plug-in the pre-configured IP phones supplied by the provider or other existing communication tools such as mobile phones, emails and office telephones.

This type of phone system provides the business with an affordable communication system because a call from the internet is cheaper than a call from the traditional phone line. Moreover, it is easier to manage since the system can be accessed via the online command center.