When looking for a phone system it won’t take long to notice that there are an overwhelming amount of options. Smaller businesses are often looking for an affordable solution that will provide many of the features that larger companies use. Business phones have gone extremely high-tech which is why Hosted PBX systems were created. While most businesses are in need of the intelligence that PBX systems offer, they are often prohibitively expensive and most businesses do not have the hardware or know-how to implement these systems—but they do have the need for the business intelligence that they offer.

Hosted PBX provided from the premises of the service provider, so the small business can now enjoy numerous benefits without installing all the hardware or software typically needed with a new phone system.

With Hosted PBX system, company will be provided with a special router or switch that attaches to the network and is then connected to the external world. The router or switch communicates directly with the hosting service that provides the Hosted PBX. A Hosted PBX system is an IP phone system. Most of the hardware is hosted by a service provider on a monthly or annual basis, so that all connection to or from your website or sites go via the service provider.

There are several reasons why businesses are switching to a hosted PBX solution:

• To reduce hardware costs.

• To eliminate maintenance costs

• To free up IT resources.

• Easier management, tracking and reporting through online consoles than non-virtual PBX systems.

• Versatile services that adapt to your changing needs—without need for hardware upgrades.

One of the biggest selling points of hosted PBX systems is the wide variety of features and add-ons that they make available to businesses. Features that were once reserved only for extremely large companies are now available with most hosted PBX systems. Popular features include Find-Me-Follow-Me technology, Outlook integration, extension dialing, call forwarding, and music on hold. The Follow-Me feature allows calls to be easily forwarded to cell phones or other alternate locations. This allows for the possibility of a completely virtual office and reducing office overhead expenses. Also, many of these systems also have an auto-attendant which allows calls to be directed during business both and off-business hours.

Another reason businesses are moving to hosted PBX services is that the business has gone nationwide or even global. Small-to-medium sized businesses can have offices and customers around the globe and a hosted PBX system can offer cost saving features plus long distance numbers and plans. The cost of can be just fractions of the cost when using a hosted PBX system versus standard phone line systems.