Business Telecoms

Because of the ever-advancing technologies, business telecommunication has evolved, allowing for the efficient sharing of information across vast distances. This has greatly impacted the way businesses work, allowing for globalisation and, thereby, increasing innovation and productivity across industries. Here is a look at the various components involved in modern business telecommunications.
Business Telecoms
Private Automatic Branch Exchange (PABX)
A PABX is an automatic telephone switching system used by companies. While the original systems – PBX – required a live operator, the current PABX systems do not. There are several types of PABX systems available today, each with varying features suited to different company needs.
1. Virtual PABX
The Virtual PABX uses VoIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) to transmit over internet using cloud technology. This particular PABX is hosted and maintained offsite by the VoIP service provider. Some of the features include:
• Flexibility
• Scalable technology
• Lower upfront capital
• Reduced maintenance costs
• Reliability
• Seamless multiple location platforms
• Automatic upgrades
• Superior voice quality
• Advanced features
2. IP (Internet Protocol) PABX
An IP PABX is a system that connects telephone extensions to a public switched telephone network (such as Telkom), providing internal communication for a business. These business telecom systems are integrated into the same network used for sending or receiving emails and web browsing. Some of the features include:
• Flexibility
• Multi-site networking
• Enhanced collaboration
• Advanced messaging, voice recording, and voice backups
• Complete call centre solution
• Simplified maintenance
• Telephone Management Systems
3. Analogue PABX
The Analogue PBX takes audio signals and translates these into electronic pulses. This is the original business telecoms system and is often found in small-to-medium-sized enterprises because of the lower call costs. This system uses traditional wiring separate from the computer networking hardware. Some features include:
• Built-in voice message
• Caller ID display
• Automatic voice guidance
• Telephone Management Systems
Infrastructure for business telecoms
Where copper cabling was once the sought-after connection for business telecoms, we are rapidly seeing a transformation as industries install fibre optic cabling – a far superior solution. Signals are sent by light across the fibre optic cables – made of glass – providing a much better transference of signal. Fibre optic has a number of associated benefits for business telecoms:
1. It is faster – the core carries light to transmit data, allowing the cables to carry signals at speeds that are only about 31 percent slower than the speed of light.
2. It is more reliable – fibre optic it is not affected by electromagnetic interference, temperature changes or moisture.
3. It has greater bandwidth – fibre is able to carry much greater data than traditional copper cables.
4. It is lightweight but durable – the cables can withstand more pull pressure and are less likely to break.
5. It is more cost-effective – the lower maintenance costs and boost in productivity make fibre optic a more affordable option in the long run.
Read more: Fibre explained
Efficient and effective communication is key to the survival of any modern business, which is why investing in reliable telecoms equipment is so important. Discuss the various options on the market with a reliable business telecommunications’ provider so that you know you are getting the best possible system for your unique business needs.
Computel is a leading telecommunications partner in South Africa. Computel offers a broad set of cost effective voice, data and hosted services to meet our customers ever growing technological needs. Our market leading fibre solutions provide our customers with the option of replacing their existing voice service provider to substantially reduce their monthly telecommunications bill. Contact us today for leading telecommunications solutions.