What Is Mobile Phone PBX System

by Jan 28, 2019BUSINESS PHONE SYSTEM

Mobile Phone PBX System

If you think using a PBX phone system is a complicated task and has many requirements and costs, this article will change your mind. Get the best of technology and unleash the strengths of your cell phone; PBX systems can now be integrated directly to your mobile phone. You could call it mobile phone PBX system or phone system app.

With each passing day, technology is shaping how organizations are run. Advancement in technology can bring about major changes in how an organization functions. It has increased the scope of working more and unlocking the most efficient methods. A mobile phone PBX system is one such technological advancement that has helped organizations, firms, and workplaces reach their full potential and optimize in terms of communication.

In this article, we will dig deeper and get to know the nooks and crannies of a mobile phone PBX system. First things first, let us begin by knowing precisely what a mobile phone PBX system is.

What is a mobile phone PBX system?

The term PBX stands for Private Branch Exchange, which is a telephone network used within organizations to keep the employers and employees interconnected. Often it is also used to communicate with the external world by using different communication channels such as Voice over IP, ISDN or analog.

Having a PBX phone system in an organization substantially reduces costs because it allows free calls between users, and allows you to have more phones than physical phones. Its other noteworthy features include transfer calls, voicemail, call recording, interactive voice menus (IVR) and call queues.

There are mainly three types of PBX phone systems, which are:

  • An Android phone with a fully customized native application that runs with a cloud-based PBX system.
  • A cell phone app that works with a cloud-based PBX system.
  • Using forward (follow me) feature to transfer phone calls to your existing cell phone number.

In the rest of the article, we will look more closely at these three mobile phone PBX systems, their uses, pros, cons, features, etc.

Android Phone with a fully customized native application that runs with a cloud-based PBX system

Making use of the features available through the latest technology, you can now turn your android phone to a fully functioning mobile phone PBX system! This is possible with a fully customized native application that runs with a cloud-based PBX system that requires VoLTE connection. PingMe is one such application that will provide you with these features. It uses an open-source SIP client that adds native SIP/VoIP to your Android’s default dialer or contacts applications. After downloading and installing it, you will be able to make and receive calls over Wifi and 4G/LTE data connections. The following is a systematic guide on how to configure and install this simply. First of all, you need to create and configure a GenVoice account. To do so:

Step 1: First, you have to have an account on GenVoice.net. You can do so by heading over to the website https://www.genvoice.net and filling out the form provided to register and get a free account.

Step 2: The next thing to do to is select “Extensions” from the navigation menu which you’ll find to your left-hand side. Select “SIP” under “add an extension” menu.

Step 3: After that, you need to configure your extension by filling in crucial information such as extension number, display name, and password, then click “submit.”

Step 4: After you’ve followed through all these procedures, you need to fill out the form every time you want to add an extension to an Android device. Each time you do this, it will set up for a different device. Make sure to hit the “Apply” button every time you make a change for the change to take effect.

Once you get the configuration of your GenVoice account, you need to configure those extensions on PingMe. For this, you need to:

Step 1: Firstly, you have to download PingMe on your Android phone from the Google Play. Make sure you download the latest version.

Step 2: Next, go to the “account settings” option and set up one of your settings from the previously set up GenVoice account. You should adjust authorization username and password, server (xxx.genvoice.net), port and protocol.

Step 3: Once your registration is complete, you will be notified about it by a green dot so check your notification bar.

Step 4: Then you can trial run by dialing between extensions. You can do so by simply inputting your extension number.

This is an attractive solution because it is free and will save you costs, especially if you have a startup or a small firm. This lets you establish a private internal phone system, that can be used via a data connection. However, you should note that this option is not a very secure one.

Privacy is important and to achieve better privacy, you can set up and configure a VPN network or attach more features for added security to this. If you are still unsure about this system, then worry not because there is a more secure option to turn your phone into a mobile phone PBX system that we will discuss below.

A cell phone app that works with a cloud-based PBX system

A second option to turn your phone into a fully functioning mobile phone PBX system is, to simply download an application, that too for free! This will save your time and effort, as you will no longer have to run back and forth your desk every time your phone rings.

One such app is GenVoice Business App, where you can merely download it from Google Play, and get started by receiving your office calls right in your Android device. A few advantages that come along with this are:

The calls are completely distinguishable from ordinary phone calls. In this way, you will know how to answer each call.

The dialer for VoIP calls is different. Once again, it will be easier for you to know and differentiate what type of call you will make.

The setup is pretty easy and once you are done setting it up, all there is left to do is walk through your office door, because it will connect itself to the WiFi automatically and registers itself to the PBX system.

You will not get calls from work at home. To ensure this, the system disconnects itself once you are out of your office space and WiFi network, so the calls automatically go to voice mail. Therefore, you do not have to worry about carrying office work to home on your mobile phone.

You can use the device via cell data as well. The settings allow you to change the network to your mobile data if you are willing to bear the charges. Thus, you can use this as your desk phone anywhere and anytime. For this to be possible, your phone has to be WAN accessible.

Some more added benefits and features of this android application are caller ID, transfer commands, and video calls.

Using forward (follow me) feature to transfer phone calls

This is a third way of using mobile phone PBX system efficiently. This is a much less complicated way of using a PBX system on your mobile phone. It uses the call-forwarding feature, so you can customize it as per your personal needs and requirements. This method of integrating a PBX system with your cell phone is a very useful one as it is hassle-free. Some advantages that come with it are:

Easy setup

The setup of this is very easy. For this, you need to access the GenVoice portal and select the redirection tab and customize your choices accordingly.

Choose between numbers:

With this feature, you have the option of choosing between numbers. You can customize the numbers where you wish your call to be forwarded, the phone numbers you do not want to receive on your cell phone and numbers that will get to the cell phone anytime.

Choosing the number of rings and time:

By the call forwarding feature, you have the freedom to choose after how many rings the call shall be forwarded and also select specific times when calls will be forwarded at all times.

Offers a special menu:

This menu offers to connect to the call by pressing 1, reject the call by pressing 2, and in case you missed a call, send to voicemail by pressing 3, and the voicemail will go back to your office PBX system.

Distinguish between PBX and cell phone incoming calls:

The system will allow you to differentiate between your personal and official calls. The special system menu will activate only when an office call is forwarded to your cell phone. This will also give you the options to connect or reject the call.

Virtual assistant:

To make placing calls easier using this feature, you will find a virtual assistant guiding you in doing so. It will give you instructions such as; to place an outbound call press “1”, to go to your mailbox press “3”, to call an internal number press “4” and so on.

These are the customized and specific features, and benefits of the three types of mobile phone PBX systems that we have discussed. Other than these, why are companies installing PBX phone systems in their office and mobile phones? Why are they urging their employees to do the same? Of course, it is because the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. Let us look at some further advantages that this system brings about:

Advantages of mobile phone PBX System:

Better communication system

This is the prime reason for businesses nowadays to switch to mobile phone PBX systems. It offers a versatile and easy means of communication among employers, employees, and outsiders. Good communication is integral in running a workplace, and mobile phone PBX systems optimize it.

Keeping up with growing demand

As the business grows, so does the number of operations and consumers. Switching to mobile phone PBX systems helps the people in the company to keep up with consumer demands, and queries in a systematic and organized manner. It offers scope for scalability.

Efficiently running your business

There is no doubt about the fact that mobile phone PBX system reduces costs. By installing this system, you are saving hardware costs, communication costs, travel costs and to some degree, agency costs. In this way, you can run the functions more efficiently and precisely.

Increase in productivity

By integrating many forms of communication and telecommunication into one single device, productivity is enhanced by many folds. Not only that, employees will better stay connected and achieve a greater sense of teamwork and unity. This will further boost the productivity of employees.

Achieve better flexibility

There are various features that enhance the flexibility a company has to offer through its communication channels. Apart from call diverting, call forwarding, call recording and conference calls, mobile network companies can provide services, such as mobile switchboards that allow a company to manage all their calls by a single company number.

Ease of use

Mobile phone PBX systems are very easy to use. The installation procedure is easy, and as the application runs in your mobile phone, it is just like using any other app that you already use. This cuts down on training costs and employees are less likely to struggle to use it.

Replacing bulky hardware

With a mobile phone PBX system, an office no longer requires to provide each desk with an intercom or desk phone. Firstly, this reduces expenses for the firm. Secondly, it banishes the need to use bulky and complicated hardware. Many older versions of PBX systems have now become obsolete, such as the traditional PBX phone system.

Conclusion

To summarize it all, mobile phone PBX systems are the newest telecommunication service that organizations are opting for. Both large and small firms can make use of this catering to their personal needs. Whether it is an android application, software or just a forwarding feature, mobile phone PBX systems will surely enhance the productivity and scalability of communication channels in a firm.