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| Holidays | 2007-08 |
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| Hosted Phone Systems: Rich Features, Low Costs |
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| Still relying on a traditional PBX phone system to handle your calls? Concerned about making the switch to VOIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol)? For a feature-rich solution that can keep you, your clients, all office locations and your traveling sales staff connected, consider a hosted (or virtual) PBX system. You’ll get many of the VOIP features, but without investing in expensive phone equipment. In fact, reduced costs and increased revenues are just two of the many alluring features of hosted PBX. |
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| A traditional PBX (Private Branch Exchange) system works using PBX hardware and servers located in your office. Incoming calls are routed to the appropriate extension or voicemail. With a hosted PBX, calls go through your provider’s data center and are then directed to the appropriate recipient – which could be a direct line, a voicemail box, a cell phone, or even another office location.
The only requirements you’ll need to use a hosted PBX are IP-compatible phones and a broadband Internet connection. Because all of the hardware and equipment is hosted at your provider’s data center, there’s no need to worry about expensive equipment, upgrades or having to update or maintain your phone system.
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A hosted PBX offers flexibility and features that not only convert to cost savings, but also enable small and medium-size companies to have a sophisticated, professional phone system that rivals those used by Fortune 500 companies and gives callers the image of an enterprise-size business. The following items are a few of the many advantages obtained from utilizing a hosted PBX:
1. Cost savings
Because your system is hosted at the provider’s data center, you’ll no longer need to worry about expensive PBX hardware, system upgrades or maintenance – these are all taken care of automatically by your hosting company. In addition, you’ll no longer need to lock yourself into long-term phone company contracts that typically require a 5- to 7-year commitment.
2. Auto-attendant
The auto-attendant provides a sophisticated interface that answers all calls (with your customized message) and then redirects callers to the appropriate person, extension, department or location. Callers can choose to be routed to a specific department, enter a known extension, or access the company directory and dial by name.
3. Call Routing
State-of-the-art call routing means that a company has the option to utilize one central phone number, even if they have multiple locations, and route calls to the correct departments or individuals. This ability to integrate offices and route calls also reduces the need for a call center.
Each employee is given an extension number which can be automatically routed to an office phone, cell phone, or other business location - making it easy for employees that travel, have a home office or work from other business locations. Each employee can also modify their status and easily use the administrative interface to login and change the number at which they can be reached. For example, if an employee is going out of town for a business conference, he or she can simply setup the extension to reroute to his or her cell phone number.
4. Scalability
With a hosted PBX, the scalability is almost unlimited. Unlike traditional phone systems, there are very few limitations when it comes to adding extensions and departments for growing companies. This scalability and flexibility also give companies a competitive advantage over those who are still bound by the constraints, limitations, contracts and expenses of traditional systems.
5. Tons of features
Hosted PBX systems come with a variety of features that make it easy to manage your calls. These include call forwarding options, call transfer, call waiting, three-way calling, on-hold music, paging, conferencing, dial-by-name directory, voicemails sent through email, the latest telephony technology, voicemail, fax mail, and more!
It even offers automatic call distribution (ACD) which can evenly distribute sales calls to your sales representatives which reduces the caller’s wait time.
6. Web-Based Interface
Easily access and make changes through a web-based interface. Administrators can manage departments, extensions, the welcome message and on-hold music, setup the ACD and call routing as well as view call reports. Individual users may also be given access in order to modify their status or change the number they can be reached at. Users can also login and listen to their voicemails.
7. Disaster Recovery
Because the system is provided via the Internet, in the event of a disaster, your telephone system is backed up and can be up and running by simply connecting to the nearest available internet or telephone access point. A traditional PBX does not have this flexibility. When traditional phone lines go down, it can be hours, days or even weeks before they can be repaired, depending on the extent of damage. By using external hosting for your phone systems, you can be sure that your mission-critical information is monitored and backed up at the provider’s data center.
8. Easy to Use
Lastly, one of best features of the hosted PBX system is that it’s easy to use and less complex to maintain. All the upgrades and maintenance are provided by the hosting company, and all of the features can be easily managed from a state-of-the art interface that is accessible via any internet connection.
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About The Brookfield Group
The Brookfield Group has become a leader in IT, ISP, ASP and web solutions by providing next level technology solutions managed by experts who give you peace of mind without the tech-talk. The company's services are customized to fit any enterprise-size businesses and include: IT project management; hosting solutions and maintenance; systems security and patches; telecommunications services, server and desktop setup, repair and applications; network infrastructure design; audio visual products; surveillance and security solutions; as well as a variety of other software, hardware, services and accessories. Located in Carmel, Indiana, more information about The Brookfield Group products and services is available at www.thebrookfieldgroup.com or by calling 317.524.6000.
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