Upgrading to an IP-PBX (private branch exchange) business phone system is a step in the right direction for any company, although it comes with one key decision to be made. Does the company host the PBX solution on its own premises or leave it in the capable hands of the service provider? There are valid reasons to support both options; it essentially comes down to whichever one is more suitable for a specific company.
So how does a company evaluate which option is right for them? This infographic by Irish Telecom, providers of secure high-speed connectivity in Ireland, looks at all of the main aspects for making a decision being on-site or hosted PBX. With on-site PBX, you can take full control of the solution. This means being able to tweak it to your exact specifications so that it fulfils the functions you want it to carry out, while it also speeds up the process of getting it repaired if you have the requisite know-how. However, if you leave it to your service provider, you are ridding yourself of a substantial responsibility. Also, they are experts in PBX provision, while they also have access to resources that are outside of your reach.
You also need to evaluate the size and current status of your company. If you’re running a small business, or if the business is in the middle of significant change, it is best to entrust your service provider with the PBX solution. If you have a larger, established business, though, and you feel capable of managing the solution yourself, this is probably the best option, particularly if you like to have complete control over every aspect of the company.
Take a look at the infographic below for an unbiased, educated comparison between on-site and hosted PBX.
