IP PBX: TOC and Differences

IP PBX

1. Differences between traditional analog and IP PBXs

2. Branches

3. SIP Phones

4. Features

In a traditional PBX, you buy a number of phone lines with each one getting a phone number. This is fine but not very proficient. There is no flexibility with how you can use those numbers and lines. And each line is tied to it’s specific number. With an IP PBX running SIP trunks, you have the flexibility to organize them however you want? You can get one DID(phone number), five trunks(phone lines), and each line shares the number. You can have five DIDs, one trunk, and each DID can be assigned to a different extension.

The biggest difference most people notice is putting calls on hold and answering that line from a different extension. For example… “Hey Bob, there’s a call for you on line two.”
On a traditional PBX, Bob sees four lines. Line 1 has a solid light(someone else is talking on that line). Line 2 is blinking(this call is on hold and you can pick it up). Bob pushes line two, picks up the phone, and starts talking.

Let’s see that example a couple of different ways… “Hey Bob, I parked a call for you on 71.”
On an IP PBX, you don’t see any lines. You can have many different lights or text showing several different options. We’ll get to these in another post. Bob then dials *71, and begins talking.
Or…”I can transfer you to Bob in sales to get you taken care of. Hang on just a second please.”
Dial *21Extension and hangup.
Or… dial *22Extension and say “Hey Bob, I have someone looking for sales. Here you go.” and hangup.

And finally, IP PBXes offer many more features than traditional PBXs can offer. Again, we’ll go into more detail in a future post. These are just some of the many differences but can give you an idea on possibilities.