Homes and businesses are increasingly recognizing the viability of Voice over Internet Protocol Systems or VoIP for short. Reports claim that the global corporate VoIP industry is expected to cross the $200 billion revenue mark by 2022.
As popular as VoIP phones are, there are many businesses that aren’t fully ready to do away with their traditional landline systems for good. And that’s okay because there is a way to combine the two communications networks for added benefits.
What is a PBX?
PBX, which stands for Private Branch Exchange, refers to the internal communications network system at an office. This is where a multiline phone connection is attached to a telephone trunk.
Now there are many organizations that are transitioning to a full-fledge PBX system but there are some that want to merge it with cloud function. This combination of PBX backed by cloud functionality is known as a Hybrid PBX.
What is a Hybrid PBX?
Consider a Hybrid PBX the best of both worlds for your company. This type of telephony combines the features of VoIP phones into traditional PBX systems by connecting the internal users with a Basic Rate Interface (BRI) or Primary Rate Interface (PRI). This enables PBX systems to perform external communications alongside their standard internal communications.
A typical Hybrid PBX device will have space for many IP extensions to connect to the VoIP phones at your office. You should be able to spot a few telephone jacks, Ethernet cable slots, LAN and WAN ports to set up the hybrid device.
How Does the VoIP and PBX Connection Work?
Unlike how traditional PBX networks use copper wires for communication, VoIP PBX phones make use of SIP Trunking to get the network going. SIP Trunking involves a packet switching technique that allows phone calls made to the PBX system to be successfully transferred via the internet. Therefore, SIP Trunking forms an integral element of the Hybrid PBX system.
Through this technology, your business no longer needs two different network lines to share data or messages. With a VoIP PBX connection you can transfer everything from documents, videos and images on just a single line through the internet. At Top5 Business VoIP, we offer reviews and guidance on some of the best VoIP service providers in the country. You can get in touch with them to help you set up the hybrid connection.
Why Use a Hybrid PBX?
A Hybrid PBX system is light years ahead of a simple PBX system across various aspects. Whether you’re a small business or a large corporation, a Hybrid PBX is extremely beneficial for businesses looking to cut costs and improve efficiency. Here are some common reasons why you should invest in a hybrid system of your own:
Cost-Saving
VoIP phone calls are a lot cheaper than calls made via a traditional landline network. The high affordability comes from the fact that VoIP phone systems rely on the internet to perform their functions.
Consider how useful this feature is for a business that has to make numerous calls every single day. Apart from being cost-effective, VoIP phones offer less expensive rates on outbound/international calls. Depending on the VoIP service provider you choose, you can get calls rates as cheap as a couple of cents per minute. Even if you don’t have international calling as part of your VoIP package, you’ll still be able to save plenty. Reports suggest companies save somewhere around 50 to 75 percent on their phone bills when working with VoIP systems exclusively.
The low call rates are especially useful for large scale businesses that often need to make calls outside of their home country.
Two-in-One Network
Contemporary businesses cannot survive without phone line connections and high-speed internet. However, having two separate network lines can become a bit of a challenge. With a Hybrid PBX, you can use two networks on just one line thereby effectively removing the need to maintain different networks.
Reliable Functioning
Let’s be honest; there isn’t a phone network in the world where service providers can guarantee you 100 percent uptime. Likewise, with a VoIP and PBX phone system, there are some issues that are unavoidable.
The most obvious problem is the problem with internet connectivity. VoIP systems will only perform as well as their internet connection and the call quality will be a reflection of your office internet’s bandwidth.
However, when you invest in a Hybrid PBX, you have the chance to offset such glitches. Any time you feel like your VoIP or PBX system is not performing up to the mark, you can easily swap your connection to go traditional.
Additionally, thanks to the VoIP phone system’s call monitoring and call forwarding features, you can always have important messages and data on your Hybrid PBX transferred to another device when your primary phone system is not working. Any organization dealing with frequent customer servicing will greatly benefit from the hybrid model.
Trouble-Free Number Hosting
Professionals who have to travel across the globe and work from remote locations may encounter poor to no internet connection on several occasions frequently. Likewise, companies that deal with clients in different locations can’t risk having poor internet connectivity. In this regard, a Hybrid PBX system can provide its users with a hosted telephony option.
Any time your VoIP system glitches, you can purchase a local number to connect your calls offline. You can also get the highly sought after “1800” number and mount that onto your VoIP phone system to improve the credibility of your business.
Simple to Set Up
Normally, when an organization tries to make the switch from a PBX system to a VoIP phone system, it comes with a series of challenges. Apart from having to go through some lengthy contract forms provided by your VoIP service provider, the biggest problem is to figure out how to retain parts of your old phone system. However, with a Hybrid PBX solution, you don’t have to add or subtract too many variables to get your communications system up and running.
Ready to transition to a Hybrid PBX? Great choice! Let Top 5 Business VoIP help you find the best VoIP service provider in town. From Ring Central to Ooma, we provide information on a wide variety of service providers. Get in touch with us to set up your Hybrid PBX system today!
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