VoIP PBX Telephone Systems & The Advantages

VoIP PBX or IP PBX (Internet Protocol Private Branch
Exchange) is a telephony system that makes use of IP data
networks to facilitate telecommunication. The immediate
advantage of VoIP PBX is that enterprises using it need not
have to replace their existing phones or phone numbers to
accommodate the new VoIP facility. It is a robust
technology that works in tandem with the existing
communication infrastructures. In other words, the VoIP
technology can use the existing PSTN lines via the VoIP
gateway, and there is no much of additional infrastructure
involved in its entire installation.

How does a VoIP PBX work?

The basic architecture of an IP PBX system consists of an
IP PBX server, one or more SIP phones or VoIP phones, and a
VoIP gateway, as mentioned already, to connect to the
existing PSTN lines (optional though). The IP PBX server
functions quite similar to a proxy server. The SIP or VoIP
phones, which can be either hardware phones or soft phones,
has to register with the IP PBX server, and when they wish
to make a call to another phone – a VoIP or SIP phone –
actually a request is send to the IP PBX server to
establish the connection. The IP PBX server will have a
directory of all users/phones and their respective SIP
addresses, and using this info, it could connect an
internal call or route an external call via a VoIP service
provider or a VoIP gateway, whichever is applicable. The
process is just quick and simple.

So, what are the advantages of VoIP PBX over conventional
PBX systems?

The most important plus of VoIP PBX is that it is many
times easier to install and configure than a traditional
phone system. Any one who knows the basics of computer and
networking can install the IP PBX in a PC and maintain it
reasonably well. Also, since it is all software, there is
no complex wiring involved anywhere. If somebody wants to
connect a hardware phone to an IP PBX system, he/she can
directly plug it into a standard network port (soft phones
can be installed directly into the PC). This must be read
in the backdrop of the fact that in the case of proprietary
phones, only a trained technician could handle its
installation, configuration, wiring, and overall
maintenance.

Another big advantage of IP PBX is its low cost of
operation. Since the calls make use of IP networks, even
long distance international calls are many times cheaper.
If the call is made between the phone systems that links
the branches of enterprises, it is absolutely free of cost.
Further, since IP PBX is built on an open SIP standard,
users can use any SIP software/hardware phone with
virtually any SIP based PSTN Gateway, IP PBX or VoIP
provider. There is no question of a vendor lock-in in any
circumstance.

Yet another positive with IP PBX is that it could easily
handle any number of additional phone connections and
extensions without disturbing the efficiency of the
network. This is in deep contrast to the conventional phone
systems, which might require additional hardware modules to
accommodate the newer connections and extensions.

Finally, with VoIP PBX, it facilitates hot desking and
roaming, provides easy usability, and better manageability
via the IP PBX Windows client. With proprietary phones, in
order to implement the latter feature, it might require
expensive hardware components.

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Lee Smith writes about VoIP PBX Telephone Systems
http://www.networklondon.co.uk/communications/voip.html