Business Telephone Systems

In today's world the telephone has become the most essential medium of communication. Telephones are widely used all over the world mainly for domestic use or for office use. When it comes to office phone systems, the system is so designed that it allows its user to share the same external telephone lines, rather than having to use individual telephones. Telephone systems like these are specifically designed for use by several people in a single location, like companies and large offices. Using these types of phone systems can mean lesser expenses for businesses, since it is proven to be more cost-effective than using regular telephone systems.

PBX The Private Branch Exchange, or the PBX, are phone systems which are designed specifically for corporate use in offices. The main purpose of a private branch exchange system is to create a private communication network among all those who use and share the external telephone lines. This type of office phone system is ideal for large and medium sized organizations or companies. What makes this phone system cost-effective is that they allow sharing a few external lines among the users, rather than having individual users use their own external lines.

By using a PBX phone system, it is very easy to reach someone within the phone network by dialing only a three or four digit extension. Plus, PBX systems also have additional features like voicemail, reminders, screen displays, and options to screen all calls. PBX phone services for offices may also include automated answering services, auto-generated messages for callers, and live call transferring.

Automated Attendants The Automated Attendant is a phone system accessory that can answer the phone calls by way of automatically generating electronic messages. Using this accessory or tool, callers are allowed to route themselves through a series of menu prompts by the Automated Attendant. Office voice mail systems are usually equipped with a basic automated attendant system.

Automated Call Distributor Another phone accessory commonly used in office phone systems is the Automated Call Distributor or ACD. This accessory provides an efficient way of routing all incoming calls between programmed extension numbers. The most common locations for Automated Call Distribution systems are call centers, or any other office or location that has to process several incoming calls all at the same time.

Computer Telephony Integration The CTI, or Computer Telephony Integration tool, is used for connecting an existing phone system to a computer, or computer network. The CTI retrieves important data from any incoming call and process this data for useful business purposes. There is another tool called the Key System Unit, or KSU, which contains useful features like call forwarding, extension dialing, and options for using voice mail. The Voice Over Internet Protocol or VoIP helps users to place voice information in digital form using the Internet.

These office telephone systems are integrated with standard analog telephones, fax machines, cordless and cellular phones, using a traditional telephone network, and also have the option for the Internet by Voice over IP.