Why You Should Switch Your Phone System to IP PBX Software

Posted by hitendudhatra on March 3rd, 2020

If businesses state that they are still using the good old PSTN for communications then they are stuck in a time warp. The world has moved on to VoIP. It is not plain old PSTN PBX that businesses should use but IP PBX and that too software IP PBX. Of course, you may wish to retain the PSTN lines for a variety of reasons but there are compelling reasons to switch to IP PBX Software solutions for communications.

PSTN phones are on the way out

There are quite a few limitations to the PSTN system in this day and age:

It is difficult to find new devices and instruments and when you do they are expensive.

Even maintenance is expensive

Standard telephone is expensive, especially for international and long distance calls

You have only one channel of communication in this age of omnichannel and unified communications. Your business suffers.

Now consider the IP PBX software solution for your communications.

IP PBX supports PSTN too

There will not be a disruption in your communication setup. The existing PSTN PBX can simply be ported to the IP PBX that provides support for PSTN lines in addition to a variety of various brand IP handsets.

Multi-channel unified communications

One of the biggest advantages of switching to IP PBX software is that you have so many different channels unified into one stream. IP PBX gives you SMS, email, fax, voice message all rolled into a nice bundle to improve communications and stay in touch with customers through the channel of their choice. Even mobile phones are ported to the IP PBX so you have any time, anywhere comms. These days you can even have WebRTC powered IP PBX that allow audio-video chats and conferencing.

VoIP communication costs less than PSTN.

That should be sufficient to close the case. However, there is more in favor of the IP PBX software solution.

Scalable

A typical business class IP PBX can handle anywhere from 1000 to 10000 concurrent calls with no corresponding drop in audio clarity. You can scale up or scale down as and when needed.

Least cost routing

IP PBX calls cost less and costs go down still more with the least cost routing feature in which the software automatically detects the route and service providers charging the lowest.

Plenty of features

IP PBX lets you configure phones and the way you set up and receive calls such as find me/follow me. Then there is call forward, call park, call transfer, do not disturb, voice mail broadcast, SMS broadcast and call recording features that let you do much more in simplifying communications, always being available and delivering the required response to your customers. It even facilitates internal communication. For instance, the conferencing feature can be used with vendors and customers and between internal teams.

No expensive hardware

If you opt for an IP PBX solution that includes WebRTC then you may not even need dedicated IP Phones. Your smartphone and/or desktop become your communication center with a low startup cost, which is ideal for small businesses and startups.

Link to CRM

Even better, you can input all your phone book entries to the CRM and link interactions which would result in instant access to data. It translates to better customer service.

Shift your office

If such a scenario were to present itself you would face the nightmarish task of waiting for the phone company to shift its PSTN installation to the new location. With Software IP PBX you face no such issues. Carry the system with you, or, if it is a hosted IP PBX, then simply carry on using it without a hitch.

Hosted – pay as you go

One thing businesses hate is having to invest up front in equipments and software that depreciate and do not fetch value. The IP PBX solution can be availed of as a hosted solution. Pay as you go out of revenues you earn. Nothing comes out of your pocket and the software provider upgrades and maintains the system. It is the icing on the many layered cake!