1. What is an IPBX Server?   

 

An IPBX server is simply a device, which, once placed in between your phone lines and your phones, can add unlimited functionalities to your phone service. It can do but is not limited to the following:

1. • Answer the phone for you with a virtual auto-attendant (computerized secretary EX: Hello and good morning…)
   • Propose language options if needed.
   • Offer a menu of options and available extensions as well as a by-name directory.
   • On-Hold Music and multi-call cue (if the dialed extension is busy, call is put on hold in the system with on-hold music until the extension is freed up. It is then passed on. (Client can have custom music or even promo messages playing while clients are on hold.
   • Call Whisper: The Call Whisper option is the best feature of the system. When a extension with Call Whisper activated is dialed, the auto-attendant will ask the caller to identify him or herself. The client says his name and the auto-attendant asks him or her to hold while it tries to reach “MR John Dougn President”. It then calls the extension and asks the person who answers if they wish to take a call from “caller’s name” to “extension name”. If the extension does not answer or hangs up, the auto attendant will tell the caller that it couldn’t reach the dialed extension and they must leave a message. At anytime they can dial “0” for the operator.
   • Call Transfer: All Office-Pro units come with full call transfer and call conferencing capabilities. It allows any extension logged into the system to transfer a call to another extension or add any or all of the logged extensions while in live conversation.
   • Call Recording and Barging: All phones and lines logged into the system can be recorded by Administrator on the Hard Drive of the server or to an external server if applicable. The Administrator can enter, in live or muted mode, any or all conversation in real time at any moment. 
   • Voicemail to e-mail: All voicemails recorded on the voicemails Boxes in the system are sent to designated e-mails as light MP3 formats for easy access to messages from anywhere in the world.
   • Fax to e-mail: Receive your faxes in your e-mail on the same number you normally use. The server accepts the fax signal and e-mails it to you as a PDF file to be viewed in Adobe Reader.

 

The difference between a Physical IPBX and a hosted IPBX system is simple. A Physical IPBX server is a “Machine”. Consisting of a standard PC, a Digium brand 4-port digital phone adapter card (looks like a modem with 4 phone plugs. It receives the signal from the phone line and translates it into digital voice signal into the server.) and our Tri-Box Software. These 3 elements act as one unit. The lines are connected from the wall connectors of your ordinary phone lines into the Office-Pro Box phone connectors. The phones are connected to the Office-Pro Box Outputs. When a call comes in or out, the phone adapter cards receive the signal and translate it in digital requests to the server. The server answers by playing audio files and transferring or recording calls in between the connected extensions according to the scenario programmed in its database. The Physical IPBX is the complete unit formed by the hardware and the software (IE the PC, the adapters and the software). This unit is sold as one piece and the client simply has to drop the box in his office. Installation is provided if needed.

 

The Hosted IPBX is a virtual version of the IPBX using Voice Over Internet Protocol. Voice Over IP is the name given to the action of traveling voice through Internet. This technology was created thanks to the invention of the well-known CD. The Compact Disc brought a new dimension to communications for the fact it proposed a new idea: Sound is a wave with a simple equation that can be copied, stored and recreated digitally. This being, sound signal could be recorded and digitized into a simple code. 01001001010101001001 etc. Our voice could be reduced to a series of numbers, which with the proper translator could be restored as the exact same sound signal as originated.

 

Once this fact is understood we conclude that it is simple to pass a series of numbers from one device to the other on the world wide web or even in a small office internal network therefore we can easily send digital sound signal through the net or through any Ethernet cable from one device to an other.

 

Taking this into consideration, the Hosted IPBX system is a full IPBX that is software only. No need for any hardware or installation. The system is hosted on our servers in our neutral implementation center. There are two ways of working with the Hosted  IPBX. FULL IP or Follow Me transfer. For FULL IP, you are assigned a new number or your lines are transferred to our facility. But instead of using standard phone plugs, you connect all phones in the office into a small adapter, which is provided for you. Connect this into your office network router and all your extensions are connected and your phones are now fully configured to work with the system on a virtual tunnel created by the adapter with our server through the WEB. When a call is received, it reaches our facility first since your physical lines are with us. The server answers and plays back your greeting. When an extension is dialed, the server sends the call through the net to your adapter, which forwards it to the right phone. It is as though you had a PBX system right in your office.

 

The Follow me Transfer is more expensive yet the simplest and quickest solution. Leave your phones as they were. Simply link the extensions in your greeting to phone numbers anywhere in the world. When the extension is dialed, the system transfers the call to the number your entered into the system. For example, someone presses your extension. You have chosen to have your cell phone number take the calls, so you receive a call on your cell phone and the auto attendant asks you if you would like to take a call form “caller name” to “extension name”. This is a very simple way of using the hosted IPBX version of the Office-Pro system.

 

Both FULL IP and Follow Me transfer can be combined for ultimate “reachability”. For example, when your extension is dialed, system tries 15 seconds on your office phone, then 15 seconds on your cell phone, then to the operator. You can also set time frames on transfers. For Example, if a caller dials your extension from 9-5, it is sent to your office line, from 5-10 to your house line, from 10-9 on your cell phone. This optimizes communications in everyway.

 

For Hosted IPBX system, the client only buys license to the Office-Pro system and then rents his server from us on a monthly fee. At anytime, the customer may pay the hardware fee and configuration and get his PBX sent to him.

 

It is also important you understand that all Office-Pro Physical IPBX systems have IP capabilities. For example, if you wish to go with a Voice Over IP Provider for your phone lines, your system is 100% compatible. If you wish to use CISCO or other IP phones with the Physical IPBX, it is also fully compatible and even IPV6 compatible.

 

The system configuration for both Physical and Hosted IPBX systems can be changed at all times within seconds, through our web interface. Efficient and easy to use, it allows you to access the configuration of your system from any Internet access point in the world. Simply enter the IP address of your interface (which will be given to you upon installation or activation) and login to the site. From there you can control everything in a simple click to change environment. You can change the greetings at will; modify extensions and forwarding numbers. “Lamen” friendly, the web console makes life easier for everyone.

 

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