Private Automatic Branch Exchange (PABX)

A private automatic branch exchange (PABX) is an automatic telephone switching system within a private enterprise. Originally, such systems – called private branch exchanges (PBX) – required the use of a live operator. Since almost all private branch exchanges today are automatic, the abbreviation “PBX” usually implies a “PABX.”

Some manufacturers of PABX (PBX) systems distinguish their products from others by creating new kinds of private branch exchanges.

TOP 10 PABX SYSTEM FEATURES

Phone systems features to make your business sing!

Here’s our guide to the Top 10 PABX Phone System Features that business owners order

1. NBN Ready Phone Systems

You buy a new phone system now and the most important feature at the point of time is that its NBN ready. The National Broadband network will change the way most systems operate as the copper phone lines will be pulled out and you will have to replace those lines at some point with a VoIP Phone service. So theres no point buying a phone that could need replacing in 1-2 years time or require expensive additional hardware.

2. Voicemail to Email

With out a doubt the most popular feature ordered on our phone systems is Voicemail. Now Voice Mail to Email has taken over as the number 1 feature requested on new phone systems these days. Most of our PBX Phone Systems now have Voice Mail to Email included on all their systems at no additional cost. This allows you to retrieve important Voice mail messages from your mobile phone while out of the office. Saving time and money over handwritten messages and allows you to use your business resources more effectively. No more incorrect spelling or missed phone numbers. 
Used the same as on your mobile phone the PABX Phone System Voice mail allows your callers to tell you exactly what they want you to hear. Most PABX phone systems allow you to allocate who can and who cant use voice mail …its your choice.

3. Hands Free Speaker Phones

Hands free Speaker phones are becoming a must have with most Business phone Systems. Allowing you to continue to work while waiting on hold, dial numbers without picking up the phone, share a call as a conference call with others in your office or allowing you to continue to use a PC while in a conversation while speaking to your caller. All PABX Phone system manufacturers have models available that have speaker phone functionality. If hands free speaker phones are on your list make sure you specify them when arranging a quote. Some suppliers will quote you on the cheapest handsets available and then charge you to upgrade later.

4. Phone System Music or Messages On Hold

With Music on Hold or Messages on Hold (MOH) you provide you customer with a  greeting or message while they are waiting in a call queue or the call has been transferred and is waiting to be picked up. The use of day and night time greetings allows your business to have different messages for different times of the day depending on whether you are open or not and assist in making sure you don’t ever miss a call. Similarly during peak periods, if the call hasn’t been answered the system will answer the call for you and greet the caller with your own message.  Telaustralia will arrange to have your phone system programmed to your needs. Be sure to clearly specify what you want on your PBX Phone System Scope document. As with Voice Mail, most of our PBX Phone systems include MOH as a standard inclusion.

5. The ability to transfer calls & sounds, simple right?

Depending on your PABX Phone system and the type of phone lines you have, SIP Phones, Hosted PBX or VoIP phone Lines  are capable of answering and holding multiple calls simultaneously and transferring seamlessly to other sites.

Sounds simple enough but if you don’t have the right type of lines paired with a PBX Phone system to meet your needs you may be disappointed.  Each Phone System Manufacturer has their own method of dealing with call transfer so its important that you check that this simple but important function meets your needs.

6. The greeting message & your customers introduction to your business

This feature is often one of the hardest for a business to get right with their PBX Phone System. Many business take the short cut and record this message them selves instead of getting a professional recording ….. and a large percentage don’t really nail it. Day and night time greeting messages ensure your business will not miss any important calls. If your calls are not answered within a defined number of rings the greeting message will come on “thanks for calling , your call is important and we will be with your shortly”  etc. Depending on your PABX Phone system and the type of phone lines you have, some systems are capable of answering and holding more upwards of a 100 calls at a time.

7. Auto Attendant – Need to manage a lot of calls?

Auto Attendant allows you to direct your calls to the right place without the intervention of a receptionist. Eg press 1 for sales, 2 for accounts and 3 for customer service. This can allow you to save money on reception costs and all allows you to reduce the wait time for your customers by sending them directly to the area they want to go to but beware. Many callers do not like dealing with companies with this feature so it is very important to get the set up right.

8. Speed dialing on your handsets – Single button dialing

Speed dialing comes in 2 forms ..basic dialing from your handset and computer based CTI software allowing you to dial numbers from your desk top phone book. Nearly all Phone Systems supplied by Telaustralia have handsets that allow add on Terminals that can handle up to 100 direct speed dials. Most standard handsets come with between 6 and 24 buttons that can be used for speed dial. Many of the basic to mid range handsets from Alcatel, LG & Samsung have 6-16 speed dials as standard.

9. Wireless Headsets – Bluetooth & DECT

More and more our customers are requesting wireless and corded headsets. Wireless headsets are usually Bluetooth or Dect. Dect giving grater range and mobility while blue tooth is compatible with a grater range of products including mobile phones and the PABX phone system. Some models from Plantronic have multiple pairing, allowing you to switch between calls from PABX Phone System and Mobile Phones. We also have long range DECT cordless handsets that can allow users to take calls up to 5km from the base station.

10. Conference calling

The capacity to conduct conference calling depends on your needs. The simplest and cheapest method is using a speaker phone suitable for a normal size office while the higher and and more expensive option uses multi directional microphones and even directional video. If you will be conference calling from a larger conference room be sure to advise you supplier of this when getting a quote so that they can quote you on exactly what you need.

BONUS FEATURES …YES WE HAVE MORE THAN 10 IN OUR TOP 10!

11. Hosted PBX Phone Systems

Not really a feature, but 80% of the phone systems we sell now are a Hosted PBX. Cloud based VoIP phones for business with a massive range of features and usually dramatically cheaper than traditional phone systems. All of the above features are standard on a Hosted PBX.

12.Phone System Software

A broad range of supporting software is now available to use in support of the PABX phone system. Call Centre Software allow trainers to manage new staff, break into calls and keeps full analytical data of inc,ming and out going calls to assist in managing staffing and work loads. Call accounting software allowing hotels to charge guests for calls, CTI software allowing for integration of phone books, call management software for inbound and outbound call centers provides for call quality monitoring, call recording and detailed statistical analysis. Ensure you advise your supplier of your exact needs when scoping the PABX Phone system you need.