Business Phone Systems: PBX, IP and Everything In-between

Most businesses have a phone system these days and words like ‘PBX’ and ‘IP Telephony’ are often bandied around as an ingrained part of business conversation, yet what exactly is a phone system? How does an IP PBX differ from a PBX? And how can a phone system benefit your business in discernable ways? This article will answer all these questions and more and leave you with a workable knowledge of business phone systems.

What is a Phone System?

To properly understand the differences between phone systems, a basic knowledge of what a telephone system is needs to be attained. A phone system acts as an exchange that allows people to communicate both internally and externally. Rather than each phone having a separate line to the Public Telephone Network (PTN), a phone system enables your business to connect all phones, using a limited number of lines.

As well as placing and receiving internal and external calls, phone systems also employ certain basic features designed for business – these will be discussed further on.

PBX Phone Systems

Let us first explain the acronym so as to avoid confusion – PBX stands for Private Branch Exchange. A PBX phone system consists of internal and external phone lines, a console and a computer server. The PBX is a switching system used to manage internal calls and provide external lines to internal phones when needed. Distinguishing itself from the Public Telephone Network though, PBX phone systems can route incoming calls to extensions and connect calls to answering services as well as other more business-specific features that are the trademark of phone systems and which we shall come to later.

IP PBX Phone Systems

An IP (Internet Protocol) PBX does the same thing as an ordinary PBX except it is designed to deliver voice (VoIP) or video over a data network and interoperate with the normal Public Telephone Network. IP PBXs can be either hardware or software based and can provide more advanced functions than ordinary PBXs by integrating with computer systems.

PBX and IP PBX phone systems are not the only business phone systems available, however they act as a standard around which other phone systems are based and are the most widely used phone systems in the business arena.

Phone System Basic Features

Phone systems all share a common set of features that make businesses more efficient – after all, time is money. These features include:

Call Conferencing – the ability to share a phone call between more than two people which can save time and travel

Call Hold – an important feature for business phones – on-hold music or messaging can be added

Call Routing – saves time by routing calls to the right internal extension

Voicemail – one of the most important business telephone system functions. Voicemails can be accessed by individuals or departments and can be also be forwarded

Auto-Attendant – this feature is well used especially with small phone systems as it negates the need for a secretary

These features as stated before, are common to all phone systems. Different types of phone systems however can have different features and as IP phone systems are becoming ever more popular, it is worth noting a few of the extra features that they can provide for your business:

Click-to-Call – uses computer-telephony integration (CTI) so you can simply click on the screen to call

Call Logging and Tracking – this feature is useful to find out call history and other information

Call Screening – allows you to see who is calling before you answer

Benefits of a Business Phone System

A common misconception is that you have to be a multi-national, filthy-rich corporation to have an advanced phone system but that is not the case. Many small and medium businesses have small phone systems that cost little and save them money. A VoIP phone system can seriously reduce costs for instance – calls can be routed over the internet rather than the Public Telephone Network, eradicating almost all call charges. Many businesses also bypass the cost of hiring a secretary by using an auto-attendant instead.

Certain features on a phone system can create the right impression with customers too. On hold messages and on hold music in particular can make a business seem more professional, as first impressions do go a long way.

Many businesses find that a phone system increases efficiency and functionality. For example, phone conferencing can reduce time spent in business travel, speed dial and click-to-call can also reduce time spent looking up phone numbers and voicemail is much more efficient than an answering machine. In the fast-paced world of business, the utilisation of time-saving and efficient tools can often be the difference between a good business and a mediocre business.

Phone Systems – Communication is the Key

Business phone systems then are exchanges that allow people to communicate internally and externally via the Public Telephone Network. Phone systems can come in many different versions with the most popular being the standard PBX and IP PBX phone systems. Phone systems are characterised by bespoke business features common to all phone systems and they can save businesses money as well as making them run more efficiently. Phone systems are becoming one of the essential tools of business now – communication is the key no matter what business you are in and business phone systems undoubtedly broaden communication horizons.

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For instance one very popular Chinese restaurant in London is famous for it’s Peking Duck; the duck is hung to dry out and cooked in a certain type of oven according to traditions. ‘Elf & safety inspectors decided this was not the way things should be done and ordered the restaurant owners to get rid of the special ovens used and instead cook the ducks in accordance with EU directives. Of course the restaurant management went ballistic about this as their ovens were recently purchased for quite a sum of money and if the meat was not prepared and cooked in the usual way then the dish was simply not the dish.

The same thing has happened in Indian restaurants with regards to their clay ovens. Just what is this all supposed to achieve…?

‘Elf & safety should be concerned with simply that. Clean kitchens, clean dining areas, safe working environments – shining worktops, food handling and little things like clean cutlery and glassware. I once worked in a cafe where the pantry was in dire need of those little moth traps; everytime you opened the door out flew these little brown moths and this aspect alone should have been addressed. But ‘elf & safety were only interested in how far disabled folk had to travel to get to the toilets!

Get back to basics guys.

How many women stand in front of the mirror and take stock of how they look in the bikini they have not worn for over a year…? most of us do – and we are never happy with what being covered up all winter has done to our bodies. Am I correct…?

So we diet, we detox and we get away off to the tanning salons. We bombard our skins with potions and seek out acne treatments so that the problem does not get aggravated once we are out in the salt water and the hot sun. And not to forget the cellulite treatments for our thighs.

Sometimes I wonder whether all the stress is worth it!

Well many people have already done so and not regretted their decision - those who have moved to France that is. France is many things to many people but ask anyone who has sold up and set up home in France and you will find a common thread – the lifestyle, the lower cost of living and the family oriented way of life. Security. Safety. Lifestyle.

France is quite simply a family-friendly country. And if you are looking to get out of the rat race and offer your family a much higher standard of living – a much safer standard of living - then there is no better place to consider than France.

One of the best and most secure ways to combine family life and earning a good living in France is by buying a business where you only have to walk downstairs from your bedroom to get to your office. No sitting in traffic, no commuting – your clients come to you - you are your own boss !

The property pictured here represents your way to a new life altogether. It is a 12 room hotel/restaurant nestled right amongst the leafy vineyards of French Catalonia – if you want peace, security of living and a completely safe environment for you and your family to live in then this is certainly the place for you.  The hotel/restaurant will be your bread and butter – your home will be a large five bedroom family villa attached to the hotel. Like I said – no sitting in traffic or commuting to work.

Front View of property.

For the potential hotel-owner it enjoys high occupancy throughout the tourist season and is well represented on several high profile booking systems as well as being a very popular stopping point for tourists on the main route between Paris and Spain. Plenty of drive-by stopovers will also complement your income. But you dictate your working hours here – you can simply close the doors and have the place to yourself whenever you feel ‘enough is enough’. That is what life is all about here – just ask the local’s !’

Or maybe you have decided you have worked hard enough and just want a great place to live with the family; enjoy the local food and wine, this is Languedoc-Roussillion of course! Get involved with the close-knit and friendly local community and live the life your family deserve. This property can also be an ideal grand-size family residence. Bring the Grandparents with you where they will benefit from the healthy climate, warm summers, excellent healthcare providers and a culture where the senior generation are respected and highly valued.

The unique aspect of this region is that your have your ‘foot’ in Spain as well as France both at the same time – you are 30 minutes by car from the Spanish border and the towns of La Jonquera and Figueres; and just 20 minutes drive from the beautiful beaches of the stunning Mediterranean. Yet at the same time you have the monumental sight of Mt Canigou just within view of the property and the winter snow resorts just a 50 min drive away. This is French Catalonia – with it’s own mix of culture, cuisine and history.

There are local village schools which provide a warm welcome, excellent education and where families actively take a role in the ongoing interests of their children’s schooling. Teachers who care for each child on an individual basis.  Like school used to be. Village fete’s, music festivals, cultural events and, of course, the annual grape harvest. 

Twenty minutes away is the city of Perpignan where there are numerous Lycee’s offering your teenagers higher education as well as the University of Perpignan.

There are streams and gorges within minutes nearby to fish and swim in – all fresh, clean mountain water. Quiet lanes to walk in the evenings, miles and miles of vineyards to explore – stark and bare in the winter,  a brilliant and leafy green from Spring right through to Autumn. The local baker will deliver your bread, buy your cheese from the local cheesemaker. Pick your own cherries, pomegranates and olives – buy a piece of vineyard and make your own wine!

This property has it’s own fresh water supply on site via a spring which was discovered by the Romans who camped here on this spot 2000 years ago - no need to pay water rates. Your neighbours are the Cathar Castles and the centuries old vineyards and their owners who have been tending these vines for generations.

Just think about it. A fantastic business opportunity with the added bonus of quality family life thrown in – or your chance to relocate the family – grandparents and all – to a property with plenty of space which will offer you all privacy, security and a much more favourable standard of living. One which you deserve…once which your family deserves.

Try buying this kind of life anywhere else these days; don’t pass it by. The grass can definitely be greener…

Asking Price: Euros 740,000 (approx £587,000)

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Those of you in the Gite/self catering industry will already be aware that families especially now look for not only TV’s, DVD’s, Playstations extra as standard inclusions in their accommodation. Many of you also will have gone that bit further and installed spa equipment along with the swimming pool. How about some spa accessories that will really set the scene for your guests when they use it…?

Take a look below: these ’scenes’ will give an added attraction to your guests time in the hot tub. They will replace that unattractive and boring old backing panel and you can choose from a variety of scenes – panoramic included – which will blend in to the surrounds of your hot tub and create an atmosphere of fun and even tranquility…

As most hot tubs spend their time outside these accessories are built to withstand all the elements so they should never need replacing – maybe only when you want to ‘change the scene’!

You do not need to have any qualifications in order to fit and instal – you maintain your own spa so you already would be familiar with all the ins and outs of the equipment. Here’s a before and after shot of the great new look you can achieve:

You can see for yourself that the look totally blends in with the environment and there is a range of designs and scenes for you to choose from. It just makes it all look that bit nicer for your guests. And it certainly saves you money in the long run – how many people can afford to instal a tropical island with their hot tub…?

Not all the sites around are out to fleece you and one example, Casino-on-Net, have a swag of awards from 2007 to show they are one of the best online gaming sites out there right now.  There are several progressive jackpots to ensure a nice pot of cash on offer plus their new innovation called extra games which takes players to a faster more interactive experience.

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At this particular time of the year many people are organising important things like vacations and the approaching new school term after the summer break. It goes without saying that many people too are not loaded down with alot of ready cash and will be looking to make heavy use of their credit cards.

Well, they are a way of life these days. One thing that is certain though is the booming Credit Card.com industry. Where before it was the bank you went to when you wanted to organise a credit card for yourself, today the greater majority of consumers go online where they can find a whole range of options in this regard. But there are ’sites’ and there are ‘sites’ – choosing an informative and comprehensive site such as Credit Organizer will give you a range of options and choice of lenders.

You will find credit cards which are available to a broad cross section of consumers; bad credit, good credit, students, business and fleet managers - so somewhere in there will be a card which best suits your needs. The site is simple to navigate and you could even use your lunch break to find yourself a better credit card deal than you have now…and it always pays to do that.

If you wanted to buy something you saved your cash. Credit cards were something only our parents had; then came the credit history requirements – if you didn’t have a credit rating you couldn’t get a card. The demographics have all changed now and lenders have changed with the times by introducing less stringent conditions for those who wish to apply for credit card with no credit history.

Credit cards are almost a basic necessity today so being able to get your foot on the ladder and obtain a credit card should naturally be an uncomplicated process. And it is. If you are just starting out in your career, or are a student, you will find the need for a line of credit – try booking a flight or purchasing online without one. Impossible.

The great thing too is that ‘no credit credit cards’ can offer the same benefits and low interest as others and are issued by all the leading banks. This has become a very popular innovation today for people who wish to obtain credit and build a credit history of their own.  Follow the above link and check out the detailed guide on what is on offer right now.

One thing that really enhances a property, especially where you like to encourage your guests to relax in a nicely tended garden, is attractive outdoor furniture. Now, you don’t have to spend a lot of money here, but rather go for some style and comfort.

Pictured is some nice teak furniture which is designed for outdoor use and would appeal to your guests; you could place it in your pool area or on a verandah. Actually it could go in a larger than average conservatory as well; it wears well and with some nice cushions you have something which creates a relaxing and attractive atmosphere for your guests.