Today’s PBXs use an electronic signal to send calls and information. There are two primary types: on-premis Internet Protocol (IP) PBX systems, and Hosted (or Cloud) PBX (both use IP technology).
PBXs that are based on IP deliver calls and information over the Internet. Rather than using physical copper wiring that was connected to the analog PSTN networks, your calls connect using virtual Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) trunks via the same Internet network your computers are connected to. SIP trunks allow you to easily add more lines without having to add more physical connections. While IP PBX systems still require a physical gateway in your office to route calls through, they are easy to move or expand upon and take considerably less resources than the older analog systems.
Hosted systems are an entirely virtual PBX phone system that is hosted in the Cloud and accessed through your Internet. Like IP PBXs, hosted PBXs use SIP trunks to handle calls and generate new lines. They are maintained by a service provider, like G&C Innovative Technologies, and have features that can be easily managed by logging in on your web browser. These systems generally require less hardware, and substantially cut maintenance costs as all updates and service issues are handled by the provider.
Because both options have the benefit of using high bandwidth Internet to handle calls, they provide a number of features that an analog service can’t, like high definition audio, application integration, and connections to multiple types of devices, among others.