Telephone Systems and Telecommunication

Still in the age of mobile communication the typical "private branch exchange"-system remains vital for an office. Functions like redirecting, dialing via computer, "please hold the line"-music and conference calls are needful little helpers operating with clients. The choice for the right telephone system meanwhile becomes more and more difficult.

Language remains the main form of communication. Especially when moving into a new office, the question of finding the right telephone system becomes important. The choice goes from ISDN-Private Branch Exchange-systems or Voice-over-IP-solutions to virtual solutions. Hybrid systems render office data exchange independent and are an investment into the future.

ISDN

The ISDN-Connection provides two lines. 10 numbers can be assigned.

VoIP

With internal VoIP the wiring with telephone cables becomes dispensable, the telephones are connected via LAN-Infrastructure. For external calls a SIP-Provider is needed, who directs the call into the public telephone systems.

Choosing the right system

Better than to get lost in technical details, is it to define the individual needs.

How large is the company, how many branches are needed? Better to plan ahead concerning the number of employees. Should "home offices" for employess working at home be integrated into the system?

Size of the company
The more branches the more complex the system can become, and even with a seemingly endless number of systems on the market, every single one of them has its limitations. Some providers concentrate on companies with a small number of employess, other are working especially for companies of between 80 and 200 workers. Beyond that number it can really get complicated, and those responsible for choosing the telephon system might need to consult professionals.

ISDN or VoIP
Usually the redericting from the private telephone branch into the public telephone network works via one or more ISDN-lines. In recent years Voice-over-IP systems or telephone via internet has become popular. Modern telephones are in fact disposing of ISD-connections or a VoIP-Clients.

VoIP and Skype are not the same

For VoIP-Calls to other VoIP-Users or to the public telephone systems a SIP-Provider is needed, whose gate produces the actual connection. VoIP brings advantages in costs but the sound quality remains rather low. Communciation necessarily happens in real time, and eventual delays can be more than just a bit disturbing.

For internal communication VoiP bears other advantages: Using the LAN-Net, an additional cable connection with telephone wires gets dispensable. This way different branches and even quarters of the same company can be covered by one telephone number and switchboard.

"Virtual" Telephone Systems
Virtual Private Branch solutions are a rather new option: The connecting of the subscribers is done by the provider of the telephone sytem. This goes for the landline as well as for mobile communication. The services provided though are rather limited.

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