Why a Hosted PBX is Ideal for Company Employees

by Hossam Amin

Should company employees be able to tell the difference between using a phone connected to a traditional PBX versus one connected to a hosted PBX? Yes, but not by the shape of the phone or the quality of a phone call, but by the numerous additional benefits available with the hosted PBX. As a matter of fact, companies that subscribe to a hosted PBX service are still able to offer their employees all the features of a traditional PBX, such as integrated voice mail, call forwarding, and call recording. However, that’s where the similarities end; modern hosted PBX solutions have transformed the world of Private Branch Exchange.

One of the leading benefits of a hosted PBX is its ability to support remote workers. Company employees can be connected to their office’s hosted PBX, and still be able to make and receive office calls while on a business trip, at a branch office or even at home. Moreover, remote workers still have access to the same first-rate services offered by the hosted PBX as those of their corporate coworkers at the office. All of this is made possible because a hosted PBX runs on Voice over IP technology.

Another leading advantage for the employees of a company using a hosted PBX solution is that they can open their personal accounts through a web interface accessible from any computer with an internet connection. This web interface is a window to the hosted PBX user’s account information, call logs, voice mail, and call-forwarding preferences. These options are immediately accessible and configurable by the user and do not require the intervention of the administrator of the hosted PBX, freeing up time for other core functions.

A hosted PBX also offers company employees access to unified communications. By integrating a hosted PBX solution with a company’s mail server, company employees can carry out their day-to-day telecommunication activities from their computers. For example, they can check their unified voice mail, receive fax-to-email messages, and make outgoing click-to-dial office calls all from their personal computers. Evidently, having easier access to these vital services makes it less of a hassle for company employees using a hosted PBX solution to manage their daily office routines.

Modern hosted PBX solutions have evolved to support the recent trend toward Fixed Mobile Convergence (FMC). Employees using their corporate FMC-enabled cellular phones can experience seamless Voice Call Continuity between their mobile carriers and their company’s hosted PBX-run office network, thereby saving on cellular communication costs. Coupled with “Smart” numbers, FMC-enabled cellular phones contribute to the mobility and increase the availability of hosted PBX users, especially those who are always keen on attending to their business calls.

There are numerous benefits for employees working in companies subscribed to hosted PBX solutions. While still fulfilling all the requirements of a traditional PBX, modern hosted PBX solutions have measured up to the recent telecommunication needs by offering advanced services such as unified communications and FMC support. From a service provider’s perspective, it is an ideal time to enter the hosted PBX market, as the potential gains are very promising.