Top 10 VoIP PBX tricks
Trick #1 - It is a good practice to use VoIP phones provided by the same manufacturer. VoIP phones provided by the same manufacturer use the same voice encoding techniques (codecs). This enables them to talk directly with each other, and in this case the PBX can take part in call setup only. If two phones do not have the same encoding procedures (codecs) the voice will go through the PBX and the PBX will be responsible for talking with each device and forwarding the voice traffic between them. This is called codec translation and it wastes a lot of PBX resources.
Trick #2 - For cordless phones a DECT handset connected to a VoIP enabled DECT base station is a better option then a Wifi VoIP handset that connects to the PBX through the LAN. DECT is designed for voice communication, wifi is not designed for it. DECT will give better coverage and better sound quality.
Trick #3 - For local calls it is better to connect to a standard analog or ISDN line provided by the local phone company with an ATA device, then to make calls through a VoIP service provider. It does not make sense to forward all voice traffic to a remote VoIP service through the Internet, to have the VoIP service make the call through the PSTN to the local number.
Trick #4 - For connecting two remote offices it is often better to connect both offices to the same VoIP service provider, then to setup direct call forwarding, or tunneling between them. VoIP providers in most cases will provide
Trick #2 - For cordless phones a DECT handset connected to a VoIP enabled DECT base station is a better option then a Wifi VoIP handset that connects to the PBX through the LAN. DECT is designed for voice communication, wifi is not designed for it. DECT will give better coverage and better sound quality.
Trick #3 - For local calls it is better to connect to a standard analog or ISDN line provided by the local phone company with an ATA device, then to make calls through a VoIP service provider. It does not make sense to forward all voice traffic to a remote VoIP service through the Internet, to have the VoIP service make the call through the PSTN to the local number.
Trick #4 - For connecting two remote offices it is often better to connect both offices to the same VoIP service provider, then to setup direct call forwarding, or tunneling between them. VoIP providers in most cases will provide
free of charge connectivity between the offices, and they operate a reliable, easy to access infrastracture. Direct tunneling might run into problems caused by dynamic IP addresses and firewall protected office networks.
Trick #5 - If there are many outbound calls to make, for example in a marketing campaign, it is best to setup a dialler software, that will make the calls and decide if they are answered by humans. If the dialer software finds that the call was accepted by a human, it then brings in an employee to talk with him or her. Such a dialler software can save a lot of time, since most calls in a campaign are picked up by answering machines, fax machines or often there is nobody to answer the call. Dialer softwares that can be used are called autodialers or predictive dialers.
Trick #6 - When choosing a VoIP service provider make sure to select one, that provides local telephone numbers with the same area code you are in. This indicates that they have a service point close to you, which increases the probability of better service and sound quality for your area.
Trick #7 - By putting a simple "request callback" form on a website the number of people calling in can be increased greatly. Many people don't like to pick up their handset to dial a phone. It is easier for them to enter their phone number on a website, when they are browsing the web. This way the cost of telephone call will also not prevent them from getting in touch with a business.
Trick #5 - If there are many outbound calls to make, for example in a marketing campaign, it is best to setup a dialler software, that will make the calls and decide if they are answered by humans. If the dialer software finds that the call was accepted by a human, it then brings in an employee to talk with him or her. Such a dialler software can save a lot of time, since most calls in a campaign are picked up by answering machines, fax machines or often there is nobody to answer the call. Dialer softwares that can be used are called autodialers or predictive dialers.
Trick #6 - When choosing a VoIP service provider make sure to select one, that provides local telephone numbers with the same area code you are in. This indicates that they have a service point close to you, which increases the probability of better service and sound quality for your area.
Trick #7 - By putting a simple "request callback" form on a website the number of people calling in can be increased greatly. Many people don't like to pick up their handset to dial a phone. It is easier for them to enter their phone number on a website, when they are browsing the web. This way the cost of telephone call will also not prevent them from getting in touch with a business.
Trick #8 - Most office users are not familiar with phone system related terms. By educating them what is call waiting, how to use a conference call, what is follow me, do not disturb, call queue and other simple VoIP services, it is possible to improve overall productivity.
Trick #9 - Software PBX systems can be backed up and restored very easily using traditional software backup techniques. You can save the configuration files, logs, recordings and any user related data. This is very useful, if new hardware needs to be put in place for greater performance, or if the system must be recovered after hardware failure or natural disaster.
Trick #10 - Software PBX systems can be installed on virtual machines. VmWare, Linux kvm, Microsoft Virtual PC or any other virtualisation solution is suitable for running the PBX in a virtualised environment. Virtualisation is very beneficial in long term maintenance and management. It is also one of the tools used by virtual PBX service providers to maintain their infrastructure.
More information:
Introduction to PBX technology in 2013.
Download Ozeki Phone System XE
Read about VoIP PBX technology
Read about mobile PBX technology
Read about webphone PBX technology
Trick #9 - Software PBX systems can be backed up and restored very easily using traditional software backup techniques. You can save the configuration files, logs, recordings and any user related data. This is very useful, if new hardware needs to be put in place for greater performance, or if the system must be recovered after hardware failure or natural disaster.
Trick #10 - Software PBX systems can be installed on virtual machines. VmWare, Linux kvm, Microsoft Virtual PC or any other virtualisation solution is suitable for running the PBX in a virtualised environment. Virtualisation is very beneficial in long term maintenance and management. It is also one of the tools used by virtual PBX service providers to maintain their infrastructure.
More information:
Introduction to PBX technology in 2013.
Download Ozeki Phone System XE
Read about VoIP PBX technology
Read about mobile PBX technology
Read about webphone PBX technology
