Month: January 2021

Ai, cloud computing and machine learning are growing the telecommunications industry, these types of technologies foster collaboration and remote working while improving efficiencies and productivity. In the digital era, telecom services are essential for business success and survival. Enabling effective communication and building flexibility in the workplace allowing companies to extend their reach.

Business Telephone Systems are no longer confined to phone and fax. The industry comprises high-speed internet, video streaming, messaging, mobile payments and many more features. Advancing technologies like 5G and cloud-hosted VoIP, are the catalysts of its growth. From working remotely to travelling and watching TV, the telecom sector is an important part of everyday life.

Recently mentioned in the World Economic Forum telecom technology is the driving power behind digital transformation. People across the world now have access to the latest news, information, products and markets. They facilitate remote working, real-time collaboration, virtual business and social meetings globally.

The “Always on,” era is now here with users under the age of 25 spend over 300 minutes on YouTube, Instagram and other internet platforms. Approximately 48% of adults running a business use social media for customer service. The global rise of shopping online is seemingly unstoppable, along with overall online usage.

Telecommunication and its importance

Telecommunications services and the rise of digital has disrupted traditional business models massively. The increasing demand for connectivity is urging businesses to improve their telecommunications infrastructure. Digital change is important for innovative companies, allowing them to keep pace with demand and develop new approaches and solutions.

Telecommunication services and digital communications importance has really become apparent during the current global COVID-19 pandemic. Telecom services enable online learning and communications as well as remote working. Video meetings, email, mobile communications and messaging make social distancing more tolerable and possible. If these digital telecommunications and technologies were not available, most businesses would be forced to stop their operations and trading.

Telecommunications companies are now in the process of utilising artificial intelligence and machine learning to enhance their customer service and internet connectivity. Using these companies can identify leads, analyse data and develop better solutions. Some operators use advanced algorithms to assist customers navigation through systems, IoT (Internet of Things) infrastructures are being used to monitor data centres remotely and identify breaches in security.

Telecommunications providers also have immediate and secondary benefits for your business. VoIP, mobile app and other means of communication mean your staff can transfer information in real-time and reach out to new and prospective clients, supporting your business, brand and customer service procedures and strategy. They can decrease operational costs as they are cost-effective, save office space, and improve productivity across all divisions.

Improve Collaboration with Business Telephone Systems

Telecommunications can aid collaboration between staff members, teams and departments. Video meetings, mobile phones, messaging and other telecom based services enable staff to brainstorm and share data, and work together on projects worldwide. If used correctly social media and real-time messaging help with collaboration, allowing businesses to build a digital workplace.

VoIP draws together factors like audio, video calling, voice services, email, texting and other solutions. Customers are able to manage conference calls in across the globe, operate virtual meetings and record calls. Compared to traditional phone and internet services, VoIP solutions are more affordable and can integrate with other useful tools.

Increase Productivity and Satisfaction of your Employees 

Remote work can’t really operate without business telecommunication systems. As a director, you can provide your team with VoIP services, collaboration tools and software and other services that allow them to work flexibly on the move. Surveys suggest that people experience greater job satisfaction and productivity when working remotely. Another positive aspect is that many businesses find it easier to retain and hire talented employees and other groups that prefer to work with newer tech, communication tools and technology.

Harvard Business Review recently held a survey and assessed working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic. They held the survey with on over 600 employees. 50% of them said they could support a 10-hour workday in the first weeks of the national lockdown. Later in the pandemic, they said their workdays were still 10% to 20% longer than before the lockdown began.

The same study showed less stress experienced while working from home, mental focus and efficiency increased by 10%. They said that a greater work-life balance, more time for tasks, and less time wasted in unnecessary meetings were also highlights. Video meetings and other telecoms solutions enabled them to do their work business as normal and helped them move to remote working. Overall job satisfaction and well-being improved, too.

Reaching More Customers with Business Telephone Systems

We’ve outlined the benefits of integrating telecommunications equipment into businesses but it goes much more beyond increasing productivity and worker well-being. Leveraging telecom services means organisations can reach their perfect audience with the right message at just the right time. For example, 77% of customers want to receive text messages from brands to find out about the latest deals and news. 30% prefer to receive text messages rather than visit a business’s website, offices, shop or app.

Text messaging can be leveraged along with other services to engage and inform your customers. The open rate for text messages is over 90%, this is a huge contrast to email which only has an open rate of only 20%. 

Targeted text message campaigns can help your business get customers’ attention, increase brand recognition and boost sales. Website links to can also be included in SMS messages to increase traffic and provide more information about your services or goods.

Automation seemed to be one of the buzz words of 2020, when it comes to telecommunications automation can enhance customer service. Examples of these include businesses using AI voice bots to help with their sales, marketing and customer support. Some of these bots can support with making payments, app and website navigation, reporting and other services.

Companies can also use video presentations or conferencing to launch new products, answer consumer questions, and provide useful content. 

Your sales team can now utilise VoIP to carry out live video presentations and explain to potential buyers how to use their services or products. 

We hope you agree that in recent decades telecommunication has really come to the forefront when it comes running, optimising and improving businesses. If you have any questions about how telecoms can help your business please do get in touch.

Teleproject UK is more than happy to review your requirements and tailor a system to meet your business needs, get in touch today.

Today, the majority of organisations depend on business phone systems with a variety of features. The Private Branch Exchange (PBX) systems form the central foundation of many such networks. For several years now, PBX systems have been in use by businesses with in-house switching systems, resembling telephone exchange systems, but on a smaller and more private scale. With this provision, a few external lines could be used by many users of the business. Consequently, this is a cost-cutting measure that also serves the purpose of facilitating internal communication.

Several types of PBX are currently available, which includes conventional systems and the more technologically-advanced, virtual exchanges. Primarily, they can be categorised into PBX and IP PBX. 

In this article, we introduce PBX and IP PBX. Their features and advantages are discussed to inform readers about the difference between these business telephone systems and how appropriate telecom systems can be found.

PBX

A few incoming phone lines are connected to a relatively higher number of extensions by a PBX, combining the individual handsets to form one whole network. A PBX permits several extensions to operate seamlessly through separate lines and performs an array of tasks to optimise the business phone network.  

For instance, a few of the incoming calls are mechanically routed to specific extensions that suit the client’s requirements. Moreover, with the PBX, it is also possible to connect handsets and external lines, permitting employees to make calls external to the system. It also establishes a direct connection of individual handsets to facilitate internal calls that do not go through the external telephone network.

The tasks mentioned are some of PBX’s essential functions, which have been performed since the inception of these systems; these can be traced back to the mid-20th century. With time, there has been advancement in telephone technology, which is also reflected in PBX systems. One such significant change is the development of the IP PBX.

IP PBX Business Phone Systems

Modern forms of communication, such as Skype, are facilitated by Voice over IP or VoIP technology. This technology has transformed the operation of business communications. 

Typically, Modern PBX systems’ designs work well with both VoIP and traditional telecommunications, and such technology is referred to as an IP PBX system. But the features of an IP PBX are not defined strictly. Essentially, it includes an array of VoIP-ready system types. In such a system, a piece of hardware is positioned on the organisation’s premises and resembles a server.  

Sometimes, the term may also be used to refer to a holistic telephone network of a business, which is equipped with a VoIP component. It could also refer to a virtual PBX, which also deals with VoIP communications. Generally, it functions as a software system within a computer system that is connected to the phone network of the organisation or service based on the cloud, which works similarly, but an external provider hosts it. 

It is possible to convert the conventional PBX systems and enable them to handle VoIP communications and their other designated communications. This is achieved in two ways. Firstly, the installation of VoIP-capable modules into the current system. In some cases, a separate module is used, which functions as an intermediary element between VoIP communications and conventional PBX communications, to translate one technology’s communications to the other. 

Which Organisations Need PBX?

For several years, companies considered a PBX system to be costly, and it was also challenging to maintain. Therefore, bigger businesses often leveraged this useful technology since it was cost-effective only when used on a large-scale. For the benefit of smaller companies, alternative systems that could be operated manually and on a smaller scale were established.  

However, with time, the quality of PBX systems improved, while their price declined. This process gained traction with the development of new types of systems that functioned as a virtual PBX. Therefore, even relatively small businesses now leverage PBX technology. PBX’s primary functions are useful for any business that has more than a handful of employees. Today, since the system and its maintenance is more affordable, it is logical for smaller companies to use it, as long as they have an adequate number of employees.

Moreover, businesses that possess old systems are now motivated to upgrade the ones they have due to the technology’s enhancement. As opposed to upgrading their current system to handle VoIP, companies are opting for modern IP PBX. Thus, apart from enjoying VoIP functionality, they can now use an array of absent features in their previous installation. In many cases, this shift also enables them to work with a low-maintenance system that is cost-effective when compared to their previous setup.  

Things to Take into Consideration When Choosing a PBX Business Phone Systems.

Companies must look at several key points before they select a PBX solution. The aim is to find one that aligns with their business needs and to determine the features that they must invest in, such as:

Capacity: 

This is a fundamental consideration since any PBX is only equipped to handle a specific number of extensions as well as simultaneous phone calls. The objective is to ensure that the PBX you choose has adequate capacity in both these quarters to ensure your business’s seamless operation. 

VoIP Protocols: 

Several protocols are open source as well as proprietary, used by VoIP communications. The most common protocol is SIP, which is an open-source protocol. Hence, it is recommended to ensure that an IP PBX is compatible with SIP and is also equipped to deal with a few other protocols too.

On-Site or Hosted Solution: 

The initial costs of on-site solutions are slightly higher, and businesses may need to deal with periodic maintenance independently. On the other hand, the initial costs of hosted solutions are lower, and the service provider will handle the system’s maintenance. However, recurring costs will also be higher. Therefore, it is vital to determine what best fits your business requirements. 

Security Systems: 

If PBX is used in tandem with VoIP calling, the requirements are very specific, resulting in security systems issues, as their designs are not compatible with such needs. To avoid problems, it is necessary to opt for firewalls compatible with VoIP and SIP. Ideally, look for a PBX with an in-built firewall. 

Interactive Voice Response (IVR): 

In some PBX systems, IVR functionality is an added bonus, which comes with an automated greeting system to immediately respond to incoming calls with a pre-recorded message and includes several extensions and navigation alternatives. 

About Virtual and Hosted Telecoms Solutions

Since the 1990s, Virtual PBX officially became a part of the marketplace, and it works like a conventional PBX. The main difference between the two systems is that the former is a computerised, software-based system and does not function as dedicated hardware. There are currently three types of PBX that function as software: virtual PBX, hosted PBX, and cloud PBX.

Although there are minor differences between these systems, these names have been used interchangeably for years now. Hence, determining if there is a significant difference between them is challenging. In essence, they are all referred to in association with similar solutions. 

The company that launched the first real virtual PBX is known as Virtual PBX. Back then, the service was comparable to a hosted PBX. Since it was the first of its kind, it operated with several limitations, even in comparison to conventional PBX systems that were developed over a long period. It was only equipped to forward calls to the relevant handsets, both on-site and off-site.

Eventually, technological advancement brought about VoIP technology, and VoIP systems were equipped to remain connected with conventional phone networks. During this time, most virtual PBX providers were equipped to incorporate a Business Phone Systems to deal with outbound calls. During this period, “Hosted PBX” was established. Eventually, the term “cloud” began to take off in the tech world, and it was ultimately used even for PBX services rooted in cloud-based technology.

Commonly, these three phrases are used interchangeably. However, do note that the name in itself does not determine the features or functionalities offered by a provider. Instead, it is crucial to skim through the features to acquaint yourself with the technology and differentiate between various services. 

On-site and Off-site PBX: Crucial Decision

One important choice to make while opting for a PBX solution is to determine if an on-site system or one that is off-site works better for your company. Both these alternatives come with their own set of pros and cons. A few key considerations are:  

Expenses: 

The initial factor that you must consider is the cost. As stated already, on-site PBX systems’ initial costs are higher, but they decline soon after. On the other hand, hosted solutions are inexpensive to set up in the majority of cases. However, recurring costs are higher due to the monthly service charges.  

Features: 

In some ways, on-site solutions are more flexible as it is relatively easy to configure such technology, and they fit well with offices using Wide Area Networks (WANs). But, it is challenging to draw a comparison between the features of these two systems. Since there are many providers for both types of solutions, the features vary significantly for each system. You must ensure that the solution that you choose offers every feature that you require.  

Maintenance: 

Your business is responsible for maintaining an on-site system continuously. For this, you either need skilled employees to achieve this, or you have to use external services. On the other hand, your service provider will work to maintain your off-site solution, and the attributed costs are added to your subscription fees. In a few cases, such as during reconfiguration, your business will need to undertake maintenance duties.  

Traditional Phones or VoIP Business Phone Systems: 

Usually, hosted solutions are geared more towards VoIP communication, more so in comparison to conventional, analogue telephony. Typically, analogue handsets can be easily integrated with on-site solutions. Regardless of the kind of PBX you choose, the system will handle both communication types. However, if you largely depend on either conventional phones or VoIP, it is essential to consider the same.  

Security Considerations: 

A modern PBX system is always connected to the internet, regardless of where it is situated. Therefore, such systems do come with security vulnerabilities. To avoid service-attacks or theft or otherwise, a firewall is crucial, configuring the firewall in a way that does not interfere with VoIP is challenging. When you opt for a hosted solution, security problems are no longer your concern as your provider handles them. However, you must still ensure that the data connections remain secure. On the other hand, with an in-house PBX, the entire burden of maintaining safety is on you.

Do you have a question about business telephone systems? 

Teleproject UK is more than happy to discuss your requirements and tailor a system to meet your needs.

Schedule a callback, we’d love to help and advise.