What is a hosted PABX system?
Cloud PABX, also known as virtual or hosted PABX is an IP-based PBX solution that's provided and accessed completely via the internet (the cloud). Instead of hosting software on a server (the way digital systems do) cloud PABX hosts all software and data in the cloud. For most companies a small business phone system built on a hosted platform is the wiser choice.
Benefits of choosing a Hosted PABX system for your small office:
*Cost Savings
Because a hosted PBX system is provided as a service, you do not have to purchase any physical equipment (the only equipment you may need are VoIP-enabled desktop phones).
Your business will also have control over how much you pay (as you pay only for the features and phone lines that you need). All in all, with a hosted system - there are no upfront costs, little maintenance and lower call costs.
*Ease of Use
A hosted PABX system will allow your small business to manage your phone system (voicemail, automated greetings, faxing, conferences and more) with a user-friendly control panel.
*Scalability
With a hosted system, you will be able to instantly scale up or down, add additional lines or move premises without the need of additional equipment.
*Mobility & Flexibility
Hosted PABX systems are not limited by location. As long as your employees have access to the cloud (no matter what IP they are using). They do not need to be at their desks (or even in the office). Calls can be set to be automatically transferred to their mobile devices, or to ring on their mobile and desk phones simultaneously.
*Less is More
Less overhead, less equipment, less administration. With managing a small business, it’s not about being bigger, but working smarter. And focusing your business’s valuable time and staffing needs on the more important aspects of day to day operations.
*Handled by the Provider
Everything is maintained and operated at an offsite location, by a dedicated service provider. All that is needed from you is to initialise the system to the needs of your business.
*Business continuity (Zero Down Time)
Hosted PBX services can be located anywhere in the world (as long as there is access to the cloud). Even if your office is out of commission - your calls will still be routed to other phones or computers via the cloud.
Features to look for:
*Online Management
This feature will allow administrators (within your organization) to make quick changes to the phone system (like adding users, assigning phone numbers and reviewing call reports and monthly statements from an online portal)
Your employees will also be able to log onto the portal and check their voicemail, see the company directories and set up their call-forwarding routes.
*Auto Assistant
Will act as your virtual receptionist by greeting incoming callers and routing them to the necessary departments.
*Voicemail to Email
All new voicemail messages can be automatically sent to specific employees email addresses.
*Call Queueing
Call queues will help manage your business's influx of calls by placing callers in a line or on hold until an employee is available to take the call.
Advanced Call Routing
Your employees can set their calls to be automatically forwarded to their mobile devices (or to ring simultaneously on multiple devices) when they are not at their desks.
*Unlimited Calling
This feature will allow your employees to make unlimited domestic calls (at no additional cost).
*Text messaging
Keeping with professional business communications, this feature will allow your employees to send text messages from their business lines instead of from their personal phone numbers.
*Video / Web Conferencing (Screen Sharing)
As not all of your employees will always be in one location, the video conferencing feature allows you to host video meetings (with screen sharing that lets users view and discuss documents or presentations).
