Multi-Location PBX vs. IP PBX

Provides IP communication between branch offices in different locations, while using analog extensions within the office

The recent expansion of the Internet and Telecom markets have changed the way people communicate. The time that a person had to wait for mail to be delivered by the post office has been decreased from a few days to a few seconds through the development of electronic mail. The PSTN (Public Switch Telephone Network) is not the only way to communicate via a telephone. Mobile communication has become increasingly popular. Digitalized Technology enables various options for voice delivery. Millions of voice conversations are now taking place on networks that previously could only carry data.

According to an analysis by Frost and Sullivan, the growth of Internet Phones has decreased the number of telephone calls made through the traditional PSTN. This decrease will continue and by the year 2004, only 18.9% of all telephone calls will be made through the PSTN. The Ovum Report of 1999 predicted that by the year 2005, 25% of voice communications would be delivered by IP networks. All of these studies imply that we are destined to use the IP Phone stream. What makes an IP PBX receive so much attention and be distinguished from other technologies?

The IP PBX becomes the super star in the communication industry because VoIP is the technology driving the next generation of enterprise telephone systems. The IP PBX is known for its abundant benefits: Infrastructure Reduction, Long-Distance Savings, Staff Efficiencies, Converged Skilled Sets, and Remote Access.

Current Architecture and Benefits of IP PBX

• Single PBX Architecture

  The major benefit of an IP PBX is that regardless of the number of worldwide offices a company has, they only have to invest into one PBX system to handle the functions such as: remote access, data routing, and unified messaging. The single network architecture means less equipment and easier integration for the IT staff. Communication between branches, whether across states or countries, can be easily achieved by dialing an extension number. The best reason to use an IP PBX is that all communication is FREE because it is through the Internet.

• Flexible and easy Computer Telephony Integration

  Due to the common protocol adopted and implemented by IP PBXs, CTI applications and interoperability among products from different vendors for future growth becomes easy and beneficial for companies.

• Graphical User Interface

  The Graphical User Interface of the IP PBX provides easy management & maintenance.

High Expense & up-front investment

Some devices of the IP PBX transport voice over the corporate LAN and the quality of speech is not always adequate. The problem can be solved through up-front investment in network upgrades and in technology required for migrating to IP telephony such as additional bandwidth to provide the required quality of service. These costs often eliminate any savings from not using the public telephone company.

Improvement on QoS Technology

Quality of Service (QoS) is a critical requirement for IP telephony. The main concern about IP telephony is that telephone calls may not sound like a "normal" phone call due to packet delay and latency through the Internet. Infrastructure Reduction and Long-Distance Savings mean little when the voice quality is poor.

• Special Training for IT Technicians

  On a converged network, IT technicians need to be trained to administer and debug both the voice and data networks. When all calls are routed through the converged communications server, the single network infrastructure usually increases the workload of the IT staff.

• Companies' Real Requirements

  Companies with multiple sites will probably see some benefits from phone calls over Internet, and others might even achieve the benefit of easy maintenance. When it comes down to corporate communication requirements, an IP PBX is not the only choice. IP PBXs still leave a lot to be desired in voice functions.

Multi-Location PBX, a Smart Choice for Multi-Site Companies

Much like the IP PBX, the Multi-Location PBX uses PC-based architecture. With the ability to converge data and voice, Multi-Location PBXs are a PBX with an open platform for third-party developers to easily create CTI add-on applications. The distinguishable difference between an IP PBX and a Multi-Location PBX lies in that a Multi-Location PBX uses IP to transport calls through the Internet between corporate sites while it relies on circuit-switched phone wiring for the final loop to desktops and analog phone handsets in conjunction with the PC. The integration of the Internet and PSTN solves the problem of voice fluctuation by reducing the LAN loads, and saves money because there is no need to replace the existing analog handsets with IP handsets.

While under the IP PBX infrastructure, all calls will be routed to the one communications server that may be located thousands miles away. This could require that a phone call made in Tokyo be routed to New York first, then returned to Tokyo. This call generation process could be improved by establishing individual PBX systems for each branch office, but the up-front investment and IT tech support costs will increase.

A more practical method is to use the existing Network equipment and integrate the technology of a Multi-Location PBX and VoIP Gateway to build a Corporate Voice VPN. This will result in cost savings on network equipment upgrades and require less time to train your IT staff. With a Multi-Location PBX, you can achieve Long-Distance Savings and Easy IT Maintenance just like an IP PBX but with less hassle!

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TelePCX is a PC-based Communication Server that provides PBX functionality for small to mid sized businesses. TelePCX effectively converges both voice and data networks for the easy integration of computer telephony applications. The Multi-Location PBX architecture of the TelePCX makes the PBXs in different branch offices work like one single PBX. You can group extensions in the same branch office by assigning the extensions' first digit. The users in one branch office can call other branch offices by dialing the extension number without any extra pre-fix digit.

Combined with the VoIP architecture, TelePCX allows a company to build their own Voice VPN for FREE internal communications.