PABX vs. Unified Communications: Choosing the Right Business Phone System
It doesn't matter how many employees you have in your company—30, 50, or 100? Well, we don't care! But what we genuinely care about is having a clear communication hierarchy in your organisation.
For that to be implemented, the right business phone system is necessary!
Earlier, setting up a small business phone system only required getting a phone number. However, with advancements in business and communication, customers have increased their expectations of the companies they deal with.
To meet these expectations, businesses need features like multiple lines, auto-attendants, conference calling, call forwarding, and other advanced capabilities.
But how do you, as a business owner, know which voice solution is for you?
Well, this is what we are here for!
Let's discuss both the PABX systems and unified communication phone systems that businesses can use to improve their communication systems.
PABX Phone System
The PABX system installation is the upgraded version of PBX. It refers to the Private Automatic Branch Exchange, a private telephone network used for internal communication within a company and connecting to the public telephone network. These systems have advanced from analog to digital solutions, including VoIP technology, offering various advanced features.
However, as business needs advanced, while PABX systems were reliable for call routing and management, their hardware-centric nature makes them less suited for the evolving needs of companies today.
Unified Communications offers a more flexible and integrated alternative. Let's find out what it is.
Unified Communication
Unified Communication is a complete approach to business communication that combines different channels, such as email, messaging, voice, video, and collaboration tools, into one platform. This software solution allows for flexible and efficient communication using cloud technology and the internet across devices and locations.
This system also includes advanced features such as presence detection, voicemail-to-email transcription, and integration with other business applications, enabling employees to communicate more efficiently and conveniently using their preferred method regardless of location or the time of day.
Making the Right Choice for Your Business
When confused between both these voice solutions, here’s what you need to consider:
1. Company’s Requirements: A traditional PABX would serve your needs if you own a small company that can work with calling requirements only. However, when larger companies focus more on collaboration and multiple collaboration channels, unified communication is your answer.
2. Budget: Investing in a PABX system for your organisation would require an initial financial commitment, whereas Unified Communications (UC) services are often provided through a subscription model, offering consistent and easily manageable monthly expenses.
3. Technical Expertise: Regarding the maintenance of PABX systems, you need an internal team with proper knowledge and expertise to manage this system and make it work smoothly. On the other hand, UC systems are often cloud-based, so you only need a little intervention from IT experts.
4. Scalability: PABX systems require more equipment and infrastructure to scale up, which can be expensive and time-consuming for fast-growing companies. On the other hand, UC solutions are easily scalable, allowing businesses to adjust users and features as needed. Cloud-based UC platforms offer unlimited scalability, making them suitable for companies of all sizes.
Overall, using these considerations as a primary way to assess which phone solution is the right for you can help you make the right decision.
Final Thoughts
PABX and UC provide effective communication solutions but serve different purposes. By understanding how each system works and considering your business needs, you can choose the right channel to enhance communication in your business.
Get in touch with our experts to find out the most appropriate phone system for your organisation, considering the factors mentioned. As a reliable provider of business communication services, we can evaluate your requirements and suggest the best solution for your company.
Visit our website now!