Is your business still relying on an outdated on-premise phone system? Migrating to a modern cloud-based VoIP PBX could be a game-changer for how Australian SMBs communicate and support customers.
Leaving traditional communication methods behind, VoIP PBX is creating substantial benefits for small businesses like-
- 30-50% cost savings from consolidated tools and optimised infrastructure.
- 360-degree view of the customer journey with unified platforms.
- 20%+ increase in productivity from anywhere access and intelligent call routing.
- Rapid scaling to support ambitious growth plans.
Let us look at how Australian SMBs can evolve with advanced cloud-based VoIP PBX capabilities to gain efficiency, savings, and better customer service.
We’ll cover:
- Understanding VoIP PBX for small business solutions.
- Strategizing the shift from traditional phone systems.
- Selecting the right provider and technology.
- Optimizing workflows and analytics.
- Ensuring smooth deployment and adoption.
So, are you curious to find out everything that the business VoIP PBX services can do for you?
Read on!
What is a VoIP PBX?
VoIP PBX refers to a business phone system that utilises the internet and IP based communication, instead of traditional phone lines. It converts voice into digital data packets and transmits calls over the internet.
Some key aspects of VoIP PBX:
- The system is fully virtual, eliminating the need for physical PBX systems or switchboards on-premise (Although it is still possible to request physical hardware devices).
- It provides the full capabilities of traditional PBX systems like call routing, transfers, auto-attendants, interactive voice response menus, etc.
- Phone calls are facilitated over secure broadband internet connections instead of legacy copper phone lines.
- The PBX software can be hosted in the cloud or on in-house servers. Cloud solutions require no hardware on-site.
- Advanced features like CRM integrations, call recording, video calling etc. can be delivered.
- Costs are lower as only internet connectivity is needed, bypassing PSTN provider charges.
- The virtual system brings flexibility to scale, add features, support remote workers etc.
In short, a VoIP PBX for small business delivers all the features of a business phone system over the internet, reducing costs and increasing your benefits.
The Technological Shift: Internet-based PBX and IP-based Communication
High-speed broadband internet has led businesses to evolve from traditional on-premise PBX hardware to modern, internet-based PBX systems hosted in the cloud.
With cloud-based VoIP PBX, all the PBX software and features are delivered over the public internet rather than on private local networks. This provides more flexibility and accessibility.
Advantages of this shift to cloud-based communication:
- Lowers costs and maintenance due to the absence of on-site physical hardware.
- Easy scalability to add features, lines and sites by upgrading cloud software.
- Flexible remote working as cloud PBX can be accessed anywhere with the internet.
- Multi-site support and inter-office calling simplified within cloud PBX.
- Quick disaster recovery as service stays highly available in the cloud.
- Automatic software updates rolled out seamlessly by the provider.
Key Benefits of Using VoIP PBX for Small Business
The main benefits of using VoIP PBX includes:
- Cost savings
By utilising the power of VoIP PBX for small business, owners can cut the costs of extra phone lines, hardware, maintenance.
- No need for expensive PBX systems and maintenance.
- Lower long distance and international call rates over the internet.
- Consolidate multi-site lines into one cloud VoIP system.
- Scale up or down, easily minimising wasted capacity.
- Call charges can be significantly reduced.
- Flexibility
Cloud-based VoIP PBX systems enable tremendous flexibility, which is difficult to achieve with ‘on-premise PBX’, this includes:
- Employees can work remotely while accessing a full phone system.
- New office locations get up and running quickly.
- Hardware phones can be plugged in anywhere with network access.
- Features and capacity can be added or removed on demand.
- More Power
VoIP PBX for small business unlocks modern features that are otherwise not possible with traditional PBX, such as:
- Advanced call handling rules and auto attendants.
- Deep CRM, helpdesk and other software integrations.
- Real-time call analytics and dashboards.
- Video conferencing and screen sharing.
- AI-powered call assistant bots and other emerging innovations.
Choosing the Right VoIP PBX for Small Business
Selecting the right VoIP PBX service provider is critical when migrating to cloud-based VoIP PBX. Here are key considerations.
- Proven Expertise
When selecting a VoIP PBX for your small business, it is crucial to look for proven expertise specifically with cloud PBX implementations at scale. The provider should have deep experience in smoothly transitioning clients from complex legacy phone systems to modern cloud platforms.
Their technical teams should hold certifications across leading VoIP platforms to ensure competency across various solutions and integrations.
- Customised Solutions
The provider should offer solutions tailored for Australian small businesses, not just generic off-the-shelf offerings. There should be flexibility to customise features, capabilities and integrations as required for your unique needs.
They should have the ability to support your specific workflows, compliance requirements, and business processes through purpose-built configurations.
- Reliable Infrastructure
Enterprise-grade network infrastructure is key for delivering reliability, call quality, and uptime. The provider should have carrier-class redundant data centres and failover capabilities.
Comprehensive end-to-end SLAs will ensure quality of service across all aspects of the phone system.
- Local Support
On-the-ground technical resources and support within Australia is invaluable. Look for providers with local professional services teams to assist with strategy, design, deployment, and adoption.
Ongoing administrative and end-user support availability will smooth operations and usage.
- Future-Proof Investments
Established providers with solid long-term business fundamentals provide a future-proof investment. Look for scalable platforms with regular innovation pipelines.
The provider’s product development roadmap should align to your growth needs.
So those are the few key things to consider when implementing VoIP PBX for small businesses.
Practical Insights: Setting Up and Implementing VoIP PBX System
Migrating from traditional PBX systems requires careful planning and execution. Follow these steps for implementing a VoIP PBX system in your business:
- 1. Audit and evaluate current systems and requirements
Document existing workflows, infrastructure, devices, phone numbers and features needed.
- 2. Select new phones and devices
Work with VoIP service providers to choose compatible IP phones, headsets and other hardware that works with your cloud PBX.
- 3. Configure the platform
Work with your provider to set up call routing rules, IVRs, voicemail, and other features tailored for your internet-based PBX
- 4. Integrate business software
Connect CRM, helpdesk, ERP and other software to the cloud-based VoIP PBX for unified workflows.
- 5. Port existing numbers
Gradually port over existing phone numbers from the old system to the new cloud PBX platform.
- 6. Roll out phones and training
Distribute new devices to employees and provide training on the new system. This can be easily achieved through VoIP PBX service providers that also offer training services.
Once you’ve fully ported the existing numbers, roll out the new VoIP phones for your employees. To ensure a smooth transition, consider partnering with the VoIP service providers that also offer employee training services.
- 7. Port existing numbers
Use the provider’s technical expertise throughout the transition and after go-live.
Make sure that you take full advantage of VoIP service providers’ technical expertise not only ‘during’ but also after you go live to ensure smooth operations.
- 8. Phase the deployment
Start with one site, validate, then expand to other locations in stages.
- 9.Direct support requests
To mitigate any operational hiccups, have your employees directly reach out to the provider’s support channels during the post-deployment phase.
Conclusion
For Australian small and medium-sized businesses, transitioning to a cloud-based VoIP PBX system offers a significant advantage over conventional telephony. At Voprotel, we specialise in crafting bespoke, enterprise-level VoIP solutions that align seamlessly with your unique business requirements.
So what are you waiting for? Reach out to us right away for a complimentary consultation!
Frequently Asked Questions
PBX (Private Branch Exchange) is a traditional business phone system that allows internal and external communication within an organisation. It connects multiple phone lines, enabling users to switch calls between different lines. VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol), on the other hand, is a technology that allows voice calls to be made over the internet.
Instead of using traditional phone lines, VoIP converts voice signals into digital data packets and transmits them over the internet. In essence, PBX is a hardware-based system for call routing, while VoIP is a digital technology for making calls over the internet.
PBX stands for “Private Branch Exchange”, while PABX stands for “Private Automatic Branch Exchange”. The primary difference between the two lies in their operation. Originally, PBX systems required manual intervention, often by switchboard operators, to connect calls.
As technology evolved, automatic switching mechanisms were introduced, leading to the term PABX. In today’s context, the terms PBX and PABX are often used interchangeably, as most modern PBX systems are automatic.
Not necessarily. VoIP operates independently and can function without a PBX system. VoIP simply requires an active internet connection and a device (like a VoIP phone or computer) to make calls. However, with VoIP PBX for small business, many businesses integrate VoIP with existing PBX systems (often referred to as IP PBX).
This is done to leverage advanced features like call routing, voicemail, and auto-attendants. In such setups, the PBX system manages the call routing, but the calls themselves are made over the internet using VoIP.