A Private Branch Exchange, or PBX, is a phone system that runs within a business and routes calls automatically. In years past, these were complex electromechanical systems that were difficult to program and maintain, or even people at plug boards routing calls by talking to each caller.
Modern day PBX systems are simple digital devices, often running on a computer or similar, that can route calls based on conditions such as time of day, user responses, the status of people they’re trying to call, or even manual flags that can be turned on and off.
A modern PBX system may take up a small space on a wall, be integrated into on-site servers you already have, or run offsite in a cloud based service.
Do I Need A PBX?
As a business owner, you may be wondering if a PBX is worth the investment. The simple answer is yes!
Even if you have just one or two users, a PBX takes care of many common tasks you do on the telephone:
- Inform callers that you are closed for the day.
- Allow callers to select a specific person from a menu.
- Announce common things you frequently tell people.
- Block spam calls and filter out robocalls.
- Send and receive faxes without a fax machine.
If you have a larger business, a PBX is even more essential. Your employees will need to call each other, and dialing a three or four digit extension is much faster and easier than a full seven or ten-digit number. Here’s what a PBX does for larger organizations.
- Route customers to departments automatically.
- Allow employees to have direct dial numbers.
- Ring multiple extensions for specific calls.
- Queue calls and let agents pick up each call when they’re ready.
- Integrate into door phones and access control systems.
How Gateway Systems Can Help
Gateway Systems is an expert in installing, troubleshooting, and maintaining analog and digital PBX systems. We work with our customers to design systems that meet their needs and budget.
