AN INTRODUCTION
What is hosted voice?
Hosted voice, sometimes known as virtual PBX (Private Branch Exchange) or hosted PBX, is a private phone system within a business that enables users to make, receive and manage calls easily and affordably. Calls are made using the company’s internet connection, meaning that internal calls are almost free, and any device, including mobiles, tablets and computers, can be used. The whole system is stored and maintained by a third party, usually in the cloud, which means that the responsibility of set up and maintenance does not lie with the business. This reduces costs and time and enables more effective and efficient communication for users.
What is the difference between hosted and on-premise PBX?
An on-premise solution requires an on-site installation of the PBX hardware, usually set up in a computer room or a cupboard in your office. It requires the purchase of hardware, including a server to connect the telephone company with the IP phones (connected to the server using a LAN). VoIP is possible by using a SIP trunk to connect your server to the internet.
Hosted
With a hosted solution, the provider maintains and handles the technology for you, so set up and maintenance is included in the package. There is no initial investment as it is based on an opex model. You are charged by a flat monthly fee including a bundle of minutes and features plus an extra communication fee. As the phone is plugged to the router, the system works with VoIP, it is completely operated online.
Why hosted voice?
Here are a couple of reasons for choosing a hosted voice solution for your business:
You can keep your existing numbers to avoid any confusion for your customers.
You will gain access to a large range of telephony features, like call monitoring and reporting, live call statistics, call parking and forwarding, call groups, and many more.
You can set up call transfers to improve business continuity. For example, international businesses with offices in varying time zones can be set up with transfers to other offices in another country or to other devices.
Hosted voice systems are flexible and can adapt along with your business. It is easy to change or add features as you see fit.
You are able to keep track of your usage, adjust your consumption, manage your call features and create new users, all from one online platform and in just a few clicks.
If you are interested to see the exhaustive list of benefits hosted voice will bring to your business, please read our page The benefits of hosted voice.
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