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What is an IP PBX?
 In regular telephone systems, a PBX
(private branch exchange) is the switching system that manages calls
between internal or local users. It also shares a number of lines that
connect to the external, public phone system and parcels them out as
needed to the local users. In addition, enterprise PBX systems have
other features that allow them to take incoming calls, send them to the
correct extensions, connect calls to answering services, etc. A typical
PBX consists of a set of external phone lines, a computer server system
that manages call switching, a set of internal phone lines and some
form of console for manual control.
In VoIP or IP telephony systems, the IP PBX does all this and more. It
performs all the switching and connecting of VoIP calls. In many cases
it does the same for regular telephone calls (in systems that can
handle both kinds of phone system). It is also highly programmable and
can perform advanced functions including voice menu systems, automatic
call conferencing, click-to-call (click on a contact record on a PC
screen to initiate a voice call), call logging and tracking and much
more. Using an IP PBX system and VoIP telephone service allows an
organization to combine (or converge) voice and data networks into a
single system for cost-savings, simpler management and greater
functionality.
Typically an IP PBX system is a piece of software
running on a server . Depending on the workload, that server can also
be performing other tasks, but usually it is dedicated and also acts as
the VoIP system's connection to the internet. IP-PBX systems can come
as software for you to install on an existing server of your own, or as
preconfigured software on a server, or even as a turnkey box that is
completely set up in advance to just connect to your existing network.
Why you need an IP PBX
Any IP telephony setup that is for more than two or three lines needs a
switching system to make it more efficient, allow internal calling and
switching between users and to provide more advanced features like
voicemail, call forwarding, call hold, conferencing and more. Typically
IP PBX systems become economically sensible with as few as 5 users and
a good rule of thumb is that if you want an IP telephony system with
extensions for your users than you will want an IP PBX.
In
addition, market and analyst estimates show that there is a rapid
migration to IP telephony underway because of cost, efficiency and
performance advantages. Any organization, even a small one that
migrates to VoIP or IP telephony will need an IP PBX system. In the
past PBX systems for organizations and enterprises cost so much that
only large enterprises could afford to make use of them, but recent
technological advances and pressure from open source solutions has
brought the cost of IP PBX systems down to as low as well under $1000.
What you need in an IP PBX
There are dozens of IP PBX systems and most of them can do an adequate
job. Regardless of the size of your organization, any IP PBX should be
able to do the following:
-Automated attendant-an automatic
system to answer phones with the ability to build phone menu systems,
add call menus, transfer to voicemail and create flexible and
programmable rules to handle all of these features.
-Call menus-flexible call management menus with user selectable options -- a
more advanced version of the traditional phone tree/menu systems. A
better quality system will allow you to have multiple sets of menus and
even change them based on time or on information gleaned from caller ID.
-Managing extensions-features to help the phone system administrator by
allowing the addition of new extensions, removal of unneeded extensions,
change of extension locations and much more from a web-based control panel
-Voicemail and voice mailboxes-any IP-PBX should allow an almost
infinite number with far more flexibility than regular phone systems --
more advanced features would include the ability to record ALL incoming
and outgoing
conversations automatically.
-Call forwarding-automatic, programmed or manual call forwarding to any number
-Call hold-placing callers properly on hold with no drop off in queues
with user selectable hold music and programmable options about handling
hold time length.
-Conference calling-handling multi-party conference calls -- internally and
externally
-Branch office support-the ability to manage and remotely administer
extensions at other offices just as easily as if they were local
-Web-based management and administration-to make it quick and easy to
manage your phone system directly from a web browser -- this can
include the ability to add end-user configuration and management
functions as well
-Some form of integration into your basic data
network so that 'click-to-call' functionality can be added or even full
blown CRM systems.
Who makes IP PBX Systems?
Some of the manufacturers and vendors for IP PBX include:
Alcatel, Avaya, Cisco, Dialexia, Digium, Fonality, Mitel, Nortel, Pingtel, Shoretel, Siemens and Talkswitch.
How do I evaluate VoIP systems and IP-PBX Systems?
The simplest way is to look through the information on the VoIP-News
site and the IP-PBX Resource Center in particular. If you are looking
to understand more about VoIP for small and medium business VoIP, look
at our Buyer's Guide. And if you are know you are more seriously
interested or want to explore your IP PBX options, look at our IP-PBX
Guide.
Who can I talk to?
If you are ready to take
your exploration of VoIP further, we can put you in touch with a VoIP
News analyst to help you sort out your options. Alternatively, we can
arrange for you to get a set of quotes on a system from a range of
reputable VoIP vendors.
For more information, click on Contact Us .
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Networks & Telecom 
