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VoIP PBX and
Hosted Services Business Phone Systems

Call us at 512-580-9988

Up until just a few years ago, companies only had a choice of conventional – or as they were also known as – analog PBX systems.

The nature of the technologies also meant that the voice calls and the data services were on two completely separate networks.

But with the new VoIP telephony revolution, businesses are quickly migrating to VoIP PBX systems, which offer huge business advantages such as the convergence of data and voice networks.

In addition, because high-speed Internet access has now become available and much more reliable, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) phone systems are now one of the best investments a company can make with regards to its communication services.

Today’s VoIP telephone systems are more versatile, have more features, and are more reliable than traditional analog phone systems.

But – there are actually two telephone system ways you can go.

One is a VoIP system that is actually installed at your business location – and the other is what is known as Hosted VoIP – or a hosted PBX (private branch exchange).

But how do you know which system is best for your business?

To actually make a decision between the two you need to understand the main differences between the two types of system configurations.

Hosted VoIP phone systems

With a hosted system there is no equipment other than the phones themselves located at your business.

The phone system itself is actually a part of a centrally located computer that can be located anywhere in the world – thus they “host” the service and physical equipment – other than the IP phones themselves.

You simply plug your phones into the Internet and then all the programming and features are maintained changed and made available remotely.

Also – you can use your Cat5 or Cat6 cabling that goes to your computer by utilizing a data port on your computer – which means that software phones can be installed directly onto your PC.

This can eliminate the need for and costs associated with needing separate phone wiring and cabling and will make it much easier and cost-effective when you need to move an employee to a new work area, or add a new member to your staff.

Then, should you move to a new location, you can now completely eliminate having to wire up extra cable outlets for a small business phone system.

The company providing the hosting makes sure that all the software is working correctly and updated without you having to worry about it.

So the only thing you have to purchase is the IP phones themselves.

You can also lease the phones if that works better for you and your budget.

On-premise VoIP and PBX Phone Systems

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One of the major differences with having a VoIP phone system located at your business is that you are then responsible for purchasing installation managing and maintaining all the hardware.

Of course, Austin Phone System Services would do all this for you.

Generally speaking and both types of systems are feature-rich – and a partial list of the features you might want to think about during the time you are thinking about which type of system to go with.

The main difference between the systems is the upfront costs in the ongoing costs involved.

With a hosted system you’ll basically have an initial setup fee and the cost of the phones – or as mentioned earlier – a lease on the phones.

Some hosting providers allow you to remotely access your account and make any changes that you may need as you need them.

They also provide the availability to call a service person who can make the program changes for you so that you don’t make a mistake that takes your whole company out of service.

But sometimes the changes don’t take effect immediately so there could be a lag time between when you order something and when you actually need it.

Also sometimes there will be features that can’t be customized on a host its system vs. a system that is located at your business.

Most on-site phone systems are highly customizable.

Another drawback is that if the hosted provider system goes out of business you’re left with no phone service and that has happened.

What If You Move Your Business?

Additional consideration and difference between the two types of systems come into play if you decide to move your business.

With one type of system you have to physically move the system itself – and with the other type of system, you just unplug the phones from your own location and plug them into the Internet when you get to your new location.

Another issue to consider with hosted systems is the bandwidth required for operation.

Generally speaking, a hosted VoIP phone system requires more bandwidth on your Internet connection and that can lead to higher costs, or if your connection doesn’t provide enough speed it can lead to service problems like cutoffs and clipping on voice calls.

As with any decision concerning technology what works today can be vastly different from what works tomorrow.

Be careful when you choose a company for your phone system needs.

Make sure they’re a solid VoIP service provider company because if you have your phone system located physically at your business site you can always have another vendor do service on it.

But if you have a hosted system and you don’t like the way they service or treat you – you’re stuck.

Another benefit of the new VoIP technologies is in the area of what is known as “Unified Communications” where communication systems are combined, thus permitting people to stay in contact with everyone, anywhere they may be in real-time.

Unified Communications also enables people to send messages from one kind of technology and get it on another type of technology.

As an example, you could get a voice-mail message and can decide to listen to it using your email.

Basically – the purpose of Unified Communications is to allow the optimization of your business by taking advantage of all the various technologies and devices being able to be integrated and accessed in multiple ways.

Features You Might Want To Consider
In A New VoIP or Hosted Business Phone System

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In closing, after you decide which type of phone system you’ll be getting, here is a partial list of features you might want to consider when thinking about your new phone system.

• Auto attendant
• Auto dialing
• Automatic call distributor
• Automatic call distributor
• Call accounting
• Call blocking
• Call forwarding on busy or absence
• Call park
• Call pickup
• Call transfer
• Call waiting
• Camp-on
• Conference calling
• Customized greetings
• Direct inward dialing
• Direct inward system access
• Directory services
• Follow-me calling
• Music while on hold
• Night service
• Public address voice paging
• Shared voicemail boxes
• Speed dialing
• Voice message broadcasting
• Voicemail
• Voicemail emailing
• Welcome greeting

We look forward to helping you with regards to any communication needs you may have.

Austin Phone System Services
2028 E Ben White Blvd #240-3050
Austin TX 78741

512-580-9988