What Is IP PBX System: Features, Types and benefits

Introduction:

In Most companies, Proper Internal Communications between employees are crucial, it increases productivity and makes it easier for employees to meet deadlines and accomplish tasks. In a report about business communication from grammarly, poor communications lower the workers productivity by 41% and increase stress by 51%.

So business needs instant productive channels of communications, here IP PBX systems come into play with their voice communication, it makes it one of the most important communication channels out there.

What is an IP PBX (Private Branch Exchange)  Phone System?

It is a phone system within an organization that allows voice communication and manages incoming and outgoing calls to the organization.

It functions as a router between Telephones in the network, routes between Internal Telephones and External Calls.

How does the IP PBX System Work?

IP PBX main function is routing calls.

It routes incoming calls from External Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) or Voice Over IP (VoIP) to the internal network. Based on specific rules to direct the call to the desired Telephone Extension.

It also routes the calls between Extensions inside the local network, allowing them to connect through VoIP Internally.

Also, route the calls from any extension inside the local network to the External Telephone, based on specific rules defined.

IP PBX Common Features:

1) Call Control features:

This includes Voicemail, Conditional Call forwarding, Call transfer, conference calls, and more built-in features.

2) Call Routing Rules:

You can define rules to route incoming and outgoing calls to any port or extension based on call patterns or caller extension.

3) Interactive Voice Response (IVR):

This is an automated response based on an input received from the caller, for example: press 1 for customer service, press 2 for technical support … 

It also uses Recorded Voice Prompts to help the caller navigate a Voice Menu During the call.

4) Call Monitoring:

It can record calls across the network and log the calls made from all of the extensions within the network.

5) Backup and Recovery:

It usually comes with backup for settings and logs, with scheduled backups to internal storage or network storage.

How Does PBX System Connect to Internal Phones?

1) Session Initiation Protocol ( SIP ):

This protocol is used to establish, manage and terminate Voice Calls Between two devices ( Phone to Phone or Phone to PBX )

It handle the call from the start to end, including Initiating the call, ringing, and terminate it

2) Real-Time Transport Protocol ( RTP ) 

It is used to deliver the Voice and Video Packets over the IP Network. It transmits the Voice Packets once the call is established.

After the SIP protocol Establishes the call, the RTP protocol handles the delivery of the Voice Packets in real-time between the two devices over the network.

How Does PBX System Connect to External PSTN?

1) Foreign Exchange Office Ports (FXO ports):

IP PBX uses these ports to connect to analog PSTN through FXO Card (Internal Device)  or FXO Gateway ( External Device ).

Responsible for transferring the analog signal coming from the PSTN Network, into a VoIP to the PBX. Then the PBX can route the call accordingly and vice versa.

Example: Yeastar o2 Module

2) SIP Trunks:

 It’s a VoIP tunnel, so it’s not PSTN but you can find providers for these Trunks who can also provide connection to PSTN Networks from the SIP Trunks they provide.

Types of IP PBX Phone System:

1) Software-Based IP PBX System:

This type is Usually hosted on premise, typically installed on a hardware server as a software program.

It uses SIP Trunks or FXO Gateways to connect to the PSTN, and uses SIP Protocol to connect to IP Phones.

Examples: 

– FreePBX: Linux based PBX Software

– 3CX: Paid Software PBX

– Asterisk: Free Open-Source PBX Software

2) Cloud-Based IP PBX System:

This type is Hosted and Managed by third parties, on their Infrastructure, therefore, they are responsible for the maintenance and software upgrade.

This is subscription based PBX, and needs Internet access to manage it and connect the IP Phones to it.

Examples:

– RingCentral 

– Zoom Phone

– Nextiva

3) Hardware IP PBX System:

Physical Device dedicated for VoIP, it connects to PSTN through FXO Ports, or SIP Trunks Providers, and connects to IP Phones in the network through SIP Protocol.

It needs high maintenance with high Upfront cost, but it can last for many years and it is more reliable.

Examples:

– Yeastar PBX

– Grandstream PBX

– Avaya IP Office

Conclusion:

In most business, no matter how many communication channels between Employees are available, Telephone communications are one of the most important channels are there, whether it’s Hardware-Based, Software-Based or Cloud PBX, you need a telephone system in your company along with other channels, each used in different situations.