To those of us not in the know (and I include myself in that category) I have researched the world of Voip technology and discovered the differences between 'Hosted Voip' and 'IP PBX' so that I am able to explain them to you in easy(ish) to read english.
But there is more to it than that. A lot more. And so, the purpose of this article is to help further educate the un-initiated in the ways of Voip technology, focusing on the differences between a 'Hosted Voip' system and an 'IP PBX' system.
VoIP (which stands for Voice Over Internet Protocol) uses the internet to transfer audio (voice) data from one point to another by digitising the data, and thereby allowing it to squeeze far more data (conversations) into the same amount of bandwidth.
IP PBX systems, on the other hand are the follow on from PBX systems which were introduced in order to allow large companies to have their own telephone network in order to substantially reduce their inter-business call costs.
IP PBX stands for Internet Protocol Public Branch Exchange and is similar to a PBX system except that users install and connect equipment and hardware using Gateway cards and signalling takes place from the IP phone to the PBX server over LAN.
With a Hosted Voip service, any maintenance issues or problems that arise are taken care of by the service provider. The one down side to this is that all control over your system is in the hands of your provider and should that provider be unreliable then so will your system.
Another advantage of IP PBX systems is that you will no longer be at the risk of price hikes from your internet service provider. But on the flip side of this, Hosted Voip systems will provide you with all upgrades and enhancements as standard.
A Hosted VoIP system enables you to have a high level of mobility by allowing you to take your communications to anywhere there is an internet connection. But with IP PBX you get an unrivalled level of control over your system, allowing you to refine all your settings to the smallest detail.
So as with all questions of importance there is no straight answer. To many smaller businesses, a Hosted Voip system will seem like the obvious choice. However, for larger companies and those wanting more control over their telephone system and their call rates, an IP PBX system is the obvious choice.
But there is more to it than that. A lot more. And so, the purpose of this article is to help further educate the un-initiated in the ways of Voip technology, focusing on the differences between a 'Hosted Voip' system and an 'IP PBX' system.
VoIP (which stands for Voice Over Internet Protocol) uses the internet to transfer audio (voice) data from one point to another by digitising the data, and thereby allowing it to squeeze far more data (conversations) into the same amount of bandwidth.
IP PBX systems, on the other hand are the follow on from PBX systems which were introduced in order to allow large companies to have their own telephone network in order to substantially reduce their inter-business call costs.
IP PBX stands for Internet Protocol Public Branch Exchange and is similar to a PBX system except that users install and connect equipment and hardware using Gateway cards and signalling takes place from the IP phone to the PBX server over LAN.
With a Hosted Voip service, any maintenance issues or problems that arise are taken care of by the service provider. The one down side to this is that all control over your system is in the hands of your provider and should that provider be unreliable then so will your system.
Another advantage of IP PBX systems is that you will no longer be at the risk of price hikes from your internet service provider. But on the flip side of this, Hosted Voip systems will provide you with all upgrades and enhancements as standard.
A Hosted VoIP system enables you to have a high level of mobility by allowing you to take your communications to anywhere there is an internet connection. But with IP PBX you get an unrivalled level of control over your system, allowing you to refine all your settings to the smallest detail.
So as with all questions of importance there is no straight answer. To many smaller businesses, a Hosted Voip system will seem like the obvious choice. However, for larger companies and those wanting more control over their telephone system and their call rates, an IP PBX system is the obvious choice.
About the Author:
Saul Saresi researches and writes about all Voip technolgoies and systems for his website which can be found here asterisk Alternatively, to see examples of his past work please visit here business telephone system