Virtual PBX is just another name for an Internet Phone System.  A PBX being the hardware and software used to set up a business phone system. By using a virtual PBX or Internet phone system you have the benefits of a big company phone system without the hassle of the hardware, software or personnel to maintain them. 

In a typical business phone system the extensions are tied to physical phones. This was great in the old days when everyone was tied to their desks. These days employees are more mobile and with the price of gasoline may even be working from home all or several days a week.   

Virtual PBX’s are easy to set up

Internet Phone systems let you assign extensions to people, not hardware. Through an online interface you can easily set up calls to be directed to the people who need to get the calls, not the phone.

• Sign up for a Virtual PBX online service
• Choose a toll free or local number
• Customize your greetings via an online interface
• Assign numbers for different departments
• Set up different voice mail boxes
• Many systems let you have custom “frequently asked questions” so you callers get answers quick

• Customers don’t have to wait for an operator and you give big company service with custom greetings.
• Customize your greetings to include up to the minute company or product information.
• Employees that telecommute can have 1 extension that can follow them whether they are working at home or in the office. This in turn will decrease customer wait times.
• Employees can set up “find me”  feature that will try several lines until it finds them.

Web based virtual PBX’s are easy to manage

Traditional business phone systems are hard to manage and require dedicated support. When you set up a virtual PBX you use an online interface which can be as simple as basic voice mail and call routing to step up features like call queues and intelligent call routing.  Even the most complex systems can be managed without a highly trained employee.

Advanced Features are available

Despite the fact that most Internet based phone systems are easy to set up and use many have some heavy duty features including:

• True ACD (Automatic Call Distribution)
• Rules based call routing
• Overflow queues
• Follow me routing
• Extension to extension transfers
• Custom on-hold messages
• Agent load balancing
• …and more

There are many Internet based phone systems offering Virtual PBX’s. The Fax Report will be reviewing them in detail in the coming months so sign up for our newfeed and get the latest news delivered to you.

 Services to try

• RingCentral - A virtual PBX system with voicemail and Internet Fax. Try it free today.
• From J2 - Find out how a virtual phone system boosts your business image.Try eVoice Receptionist!.
• Protus IP offer - Try My1Voice FREE for 30 days!