A PABX For Your Business
A PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) is a framework connecting all public telephone users. Individual business and private users may need additional functionality which can be provided by installing a PABX (Private Automatic Branch Exchange). In so doing each phone and fax line becomes an extension within the PABX. This also allows internal calls to be re-routed amongst these extensions as well as allowing calls to be made from one extension to another.
As your business grows so too will the number of inbound calls to your business from your customers and suppliers. Most expanding small business enterprises face the common obstacle of ever increasing staff costs to service their growing customer list. Most growing businesses don’t have the luxury of continuously increasing their headcount to deal with calls and for this reason PABX is a very attractive proposition allowing large volumes of calls to be transferred with very little human input necessary. Freeing your staff to focus on their jobs. This means better internal and external communication enabling delivery of a more efficient and effective service to your customer.
A complete PABX system used to be beyond the reach of small companies, due to the charges associated with installing such a network. These days however, smaller PABX’s are available to the average man on the street. Such systems might lack the tractability of commercialized PABX’s but they still live up to their main physical processing duties. The features include launching circuits between two different telephone devices, sustaining such circuits while the users are engaging in the call as well as monitoring incoming and outgoing calls to provide information like duration and numbers dialed which can be used for accounting purposes. This is useful for keeping a record of private calls that employees might need to make at during office hours.
By establishing connections between internal phone lines, you can put a call through to a colleague by typing the extension number associated with their line. Calls can also be transferred to other lines. This not only enhances your customer service experience and increases the perception of professionalism of your business. No more running the risk of losing potential clients by having them dial number after number before finally, if ever, reaching the intended recipient. This will not only save your client’s time and money, but your small business will also benefit by this streamlined, professional approach. The system can automatically be set to transfer calls whenever needed. This means that your clients will be able to reach you even when you are out of the office. The call will go straight to your external number without them even being aware of your location.
In addition to the standard features such as call transferring, PABX systems have a huge number of additional functions depending on the make of PABX you choose and your telecommunications provider. When shopping for PABX systems some of the additional features to look out for are conference calling, blocking all or only cellular telephone calls, call forwarding, on-hold music, welcome messages, voice mail and shared mail in-boxes.
Different variations on the PABX system are also available and these include Hosted Packages with VoIP functions (Voice Over IP, or Voice Over Internet Protocol.) With a hosted package the PABX is managed from the service provider and all call features are conveyed via the Internet. Instead of buying the PABX hardware and incurring expenses and manpower to maintain it, you merely sign up for the service and hosting; your SP will take care of the rest.
Regardless of the size of your business there are distinct benefits to spending the money and investing in a PABX system. In the competitive business world having a professional and efficient telephone system to provide a great experience to your customers could mean the difference between success and failure.