Build a PBX

If you have what it takes, building a PBX from the scratch can save you thousands of pounds.

20:14 05 August 2017

Digium, the creator of the open source PBX, has created a market for the build-it-yourself BPX systems. Many organisations consider it because of its unique features, flexibility and enormous cost-savings. However, it is important to note that just like other technical build projects, rolling your own phone system comes with a range of pros and cons.

 

·       Step 1: Buy the server – The Asterisk software that is adequate to support an Asterisk installation can be purchased for less than &pound600.

 

·       Step 2: Install the server software – Begin by setting up a Linux operating system, which is a very straightforward process.

 

·       Step 3: Install the Open Source PBX software – Your options are leading Asterisk-derived products, namely: AsteriskNow, PBX in a Flash (PiaF) and Elastix.

 

·       Step 4: Connect to the outside world – Your options include adding in appropriate PTSN analog or digital gateway if you want to connect to a public switched telephone network or using SIP Trunking, which has no hardware component.

 

·       Step 5: Choose your telephones – Since Asterisk is based upon the Session Initiated Protocol (SIP) standard, you can use business telephones from many different manufactures. However, provisioning your telephone of choice to work with your Asterisk system can be a bit of a challenge as each phone may require up to an hour to be set up.

 

PBX, which stands for Private Branch Exchange, is a communications technology that is widely used in many types of businesses worldwide. It acts as the central switching system for phone calls within an organisation and handles internal traffic between stations wile also acting as the gatekeeper to the outside world. Over the years, the technology’s features have expanded to address the common needs of businesses in order for them to improve productivity and efficiency. These features include voice messaging, automated attendant, call queuing and multi-party conferencing, among others. Others include email, instant messaging, desktop sharing, video conferencing, SMS and mobile telephony. 

 

PBX Benefits

 

·       VoIP ready – The world has been moving away from legacy PSTN lines and towards VoIP. This eliminates the need to pay for each minute you spend when making international calls. Since VoIP uses the Internet, the only cost of using it is the monthly internet bill to the ISP.

 

·       Voice messaging – This is one of the standard features of PBX that allows users to forward voicemail messages to an email as attachments.

 

·       Mobility – Most businesses these days have employees who work remotely. With mobility features, such as Find Me/Follow Me, remote IP extensions and fixed/mobile convergence, employees are able to communicate to their colleagues and clients as if they are in the office.

 

·       Conferencing – Allows businesses to cut down on travel costs because all parties can attend meeting through teleconferencing anywhere they are in the world.