What should be considered if you are in the market for a new Phone System/Service?

There are three generic deployment scenarios to consider. You will have to do some homework to determine which one is best for you. You will need to know what features you need and how many users you will have on your network. With this information, you will be able to determine which method will work for you. The preferred method is the Hosted PBX. With this method you will not have to worry about purchasing equipment, maintaining it or hiring staff to manage it. The other two methods may be needed only if your required features are not available in a Hosted PBX platform.

Hosted PBX:

1. With Today’s technology it is very common for a Phone Service provider to Host the phone system on their network. This is a Hosted PBX or as some people would know it as VoIP Service. You would essentially be outsourcing your Phone System.

Pros:
• You have a flat monthly cost.
• You don’t have to buy any equipment.
• No Startup Costs.
• No Installation costs.
• No need for qualified technicians to manage and maintain equipment. (Provided by Service Provider)
• No equipment warranty or extended warrantees are needed.
• No equipment installations at remote locations.
• Fast and simple web-based administration
• Large numbers of Features are available
• Advanced call and messaging functionality
• Reduced Operating costs
• Reliable, carrier-grade service
• Unlimited scalability.
• Office-to-Office calls are free.

Cons:
• Some Specialized Feature may not be available.

IP-PBX:

2. Second method if you have a need to physically own or if you have specific requirements, which can only be obtained with specific equipment. This method requires that the PBX (Phone system) support IP Stations.

Pros:
• You own and operate all equipment.
• You will have access to specialized features that may be vendor specific (Rare) and have determined the need for this specific phone equipment vendor.
• Only one PBX (Phone system) needs to be installed.
• No equipment installations at remote location.
• Reduced Operating costs
• Fast and simple web-based admin
• Office-to-Office calls are free.
• Scalable limited by the Phone System.

Cons:
• You own and operate all equipment.
• Large equipment Start-Up costs.
• Large Installation costs.
• Qualified technicians are needed to manage and maintain.
• Equipment warranty or extended warrantees are needed.
• High Performance IP WAN network must be implemented between remote sites to assure quality calls for all remote locations.



Traditional TDM PBX:

3. Last is the old method of deploying a phone system. This will require the installation of a PHX (Phone system) at each location.

Pros:
• You own and operate all equipment.

Cons:
• You own and operate all equipment.
• Large equipment Start-Up costs.
• Large Installation costs.
• Qualified technicians are needed to manage and maintain.
• Equipment warranty or extended warrantees are needed.
• Equipment needs to be installed at every location.
• Office-to-Office calls are not free.


All three scenarios are still viable today. With new technology the last scenario is hard to imagine for much longer. Most PBX’s sold today have some IP Station support. As the Hosted PBX platforms continue to develop and add features it wont be long before scenario one becomes the only viable option based on cost, functionality and ease of use.

Carlos Barron