The rule of modern business telephony is all IP. That is to say the use of the computer network and the Internet for the routing of communications. All IP begins at the PABX. Exit therefore the PABX, most often replaced by an IPBX. However, several parameters will have to be taken into account to control your invoices.
The first major project for companies will be to change the private telephone exchange, in favor of an IPBX (Internet Protocol Private Branch eXchange). Note that this PBX can be hosted by the operator, with pay-per-use. This is the Centrex IP, a particularly popular solution within organizations of modest size, which we will detail in a future article.
Choosing the right PBX
In absolute terms, the operation of an IPBX does not differ much from that of a PABX: it is responsible for controlling the internal telephone lines, while ensuring the routing of incoming and outgoing calls.
The choice of IPBX will depend on the number of sets to be managed, but also on their type: if you want to keep your fleet of analog telephone sets, you will have to opt for an IPBX capable of controlling them. Otherwise, it will be necessary to plan the purchase of IP terminals, accompanied by a possible cabling of offices that do not have a network socket.
The other selection criterion is the sophistication of the IPBX: will it be limited to basic functions (call routing, switchboard, voicemail, welcome message and music on hold) or will it offer there advanced functions (interactive vocal server, call notifications by e-mail, ability to manage audio conferences, etc.)? The price may vary greatly depending on the features chosen.
Don’t forget to subscribe!
Another key element is the subscription to the telephone network. With a PBX, all stations can communicate with each other at no cost, only outgoing calls being billed. In order to reduce the costs of subscription to the public telephone network, not all stations can access it simultaneously and not all can be called directly from the outside.
Fixed telephony contracts associated with IPBXs are often calculated by communication channel and not by line, which should reduce the cost of the subscription. Imagine a company with 50 workstations. The management can choose to limit the number of channels to 25. It will then only be possible to make 25 outgoing calls simultaneously. If a 26and employee picks up his phone, he will have to wait. It is therefore necessary to find the right balance between the number of channels and the assumed maximum number of simultaneous calls on the public telephone network.
Management may choose to assign some of its extensions a dedicated public telephone number, which will allow them to be called directly from outside. To be put in touch with the other collaborators of the company, it will be necessary to pass by the standard. These public telephone numbers are linked to internal extensions by the technique of direct inward dialing (DID). This is of course a paid service, calculated on the assigned number.
Telephone numbers: room for freedom
A standard quickly imposed itself for IP telephone sets: the SIP protocol. It allows great freedom of action. Thus, by using a softphone (a software allowing to have a SIP handset on his computer) it is possible to continue to receive and make calls linked to a fixed telephone number of the company. The employee can then keep the same phone number at the office, on the move, or when teleworking. All this contributes to giving an image of seriousness to customers. Remember, however, to check that this functionality is offered by the operator and compatible with your PBX.
The other solution is to opt for a fleet of mobile phones. But without the benefits of having a consistent suite of phone numbers. The fixed-mobile offers make it possible to respond to this problem by providing the possibility of having a SIM card with the same number as the employee’s fixed line. When he calls a client, the latter cannot therefore know if he is doing so from his office or his home.
Last very popular offer in business: virtual numbers. These can be used through softphone software (accessible on a computer, tablet or smartphone); they allow total freedom in the choice of the number or the duration of the subscription. During a commercial campaign targeting prospects present in Troyes, it will thus be possible to call them with a line starting with 03, even if the company is located in Toulouse. Practice !