Hosted Switchboard (PBX) Solution

Buying and maintaining a traditional switchboard or PBX service is an expensive exercise. Furthermore, costs can increase significantly when you include the wiring, equipment, proprietary phones and installation fees. Signing a lengthy maintenance agreement might reduce some of the large up-front costs, but, you are consequently left with a technically inferior switchboard when the contract eventually comes to an end.

What makes the Hosted Switchboard (PBX) Solution different?

Switch Telecom uses VoIP technology to provide a fully managed and customisable Hosted Switchboard (PBX) solution. There are no up-front costs or installation fees because there is no need to purchase a physical device. The only cost involved for the Hosted Switchboard service is a low monthly service fee.

The Hosted Switchboard (PBX) Solution works with most SIP handsets and softphones.

Switch Telecom also provides a wide range of desktop and cordless VoIP phones.

The solution comes with its own browser based Softphone.

Remote and online support is free of charge. You can also easily port your business number or numbers. The contract runs from month to month. Deployment is quick, efficient and best of all, you will benefit from Switch Telecom’s low call rates too.

The Hosted Switchboard (PBX) works in conjunction with a Switch Telecom Business Trunk. You can select between a single telephone number or a range of telephone numbers to facilitate direct dialing towards multiple extensions.

All you need is a reliable internet connection

The Hosted Switchboard is the ideal solution for a small home office with one user up to much larger enterprises with thousands of users. The advanced functionality will also allow you to tailor multiple different requirements seamlessly within the same organisation.

A VoIP Specialist will work with you to deliver exactly what you need to achieve your business goals. You can also use the Online Interface to customise and make changes effortlessly to the system.

Features and Functions of the Hosted Switchboard that help you grow your business:

Bring your business costs down

Unlike a traditional PBX, the Hosted Switchboard is much more cost-effective, even though it provides functionality only found on the most advanced traditional switchboard.
Moreover, there are no costly maintenance contracts or expensive license renewals.
Couple your Hosted Switchboard with an Unlimited VoIP SIP Trunk and make unlimited calls to South African local, national and mobile numbers, plus a selection of popular international destinations.
Or you could choose a VoIP SIP Trunk with a usage-based call rate package and save up to 50% on your business call charges.
Internal call transfers are free, irrespective of where the extensions are physically located.
Keep your existing business telephone numbers when you port to Switch Telecom.
The hosted switchboard comes with its own browser-based Softphone and Mobile Softphone for each extension at no extra charge.
The hosted switchboard is compatible with most SIP phones.
Set up as many interactive voice response menus as you like; most noteworthy your virtual receptionist will work around the clock and doesn’t command a salary.
Port your fax number or numbers and program them as an extension on the Hosted Switchboard which will save you paying for additional line services.
Receive a free fax-to-email service when you sign-up.

Build customer confidence

Welcome incoming callers to your business with features like custom greetings, auto-attendant and automated directory. (Record your own messages or choose professional South African voice recordings).
Take the opportunity to play marketing messages whenever a caller is placed on hold.
Customise how calls are managed during and after business hours.
Use call queues to efficiently direct callers to the correct department or agent.
Forgo the virtual receptionist when you select direct dial numbers thus providing an efficient and personal touch.

Increase mobility without missing customer calls

The hosted switchboard allows for up to 3 devices to register to the same extension.
Forward calls from your extension to voice mail, mobile numbers, other extensions or even other numbers not on the Switch Telecom network.
Take your extensions anywhere or program an extension using a softphone on your mobile phone.
Work from home for a day by simply unplugging your phone from the office network and plugging it into your modem or router at home. Your calls will seamlessly follow your phone and you can still transfer calls to and from your colleagues as you would normally.

Improve productivity and efficiency

Set up voicemail for each extension.
Receive your voicemail via email.
Extensions can be located either within a single office or at multiple offices across the country.
Divert calls quickly and easily in case of a connectivity or power failure.
Prevent user frustration and moreover improve efficiency with ring groups. Ring groups allow certain calls to ring on selected extensions.
Set up incoming calls to hunt across extensions in different cities, resulting in multiple offices functioning as one.
Use feature codes in order to set up custom functionality.
Save time while our VoIP Specialists customise the solution for you.
You can trust the Switch Telecom platform because of it’s redundancy which traverses across multiple data centres.
Visit our Facebook page to read what our customer’s think about the service Switch Telecom provides. Switch Telecom on Facebook.

Take control of your company communications

Receive free and fast remote support from a VoIP Specialist.
Use call detail records and usage reports to monitor costs per user and consequently gain valuable business insights.
Use pin codes if required to limit abuse.
Sign-up for a month to month contract.
Use the Online Self-service portal wherever you are in order to manage the PBX yourself if this is something you require.
Billing and call rate packages are simple to understand because they are transparent.
Block certain call types from certain extensions.
Choose from a range of cordless and desktop phones.

Easily scale as your business grows

Increase the number of extensions and available lines as and when you need to.

Improve compliance and security

Choose from optional short and long-term call recording.
Remote auto provisioning of most VoIP (SIP) handsets with encrypted passwords.
All maintenance, security patches and enhancements are regularly done, at no extra cost.

Pricing:

Monthly Service Fee: R260.00 (excl. VAT) per 10 extensions / per month

Plus the cost of the VoIP SIP Trunk

Additional Solutions:

Frequently Asked Questions about the Hosted Switchboard (PBX):

What is a Hosted PBX?

A Hosted Switchboard or PBX is a cloud based business phone system that gives your company switchboard functionality without needing a physical PBX device on site. It allows you to manage incoming calls, outgoing calls, extensions, voicemail, call routing, IVR menus, ring groups, call forwarding and other business phone features through a hosted VoIP platform. Switch Telecom’s Hosted Switchboard is a fully managed PBX solution that uses VoIP technology and works with SIP phones, softphones and mobile softphones.

How does a Hosted PBX work?

A Hosted PBX works by routing your business calls over the internet instead of through a traditional onsite switchboard. Your extensions, call routing rules, voicemail, IVR menus and other switchboard features are hosted on the Switch Telecom platform. Switch Telecom’s Hosted Switchboard works together with a VoIP SIP Trunk. You can use a single telephone number or a range of numbers for direct dialing to different extensions. All you need to get started is VoIP phones or softphones and a reliable internet connection.

What is the Difference between a Hosted PBX and VoIP?

VoIP is the technology that allows voice calls to travel over the internet. A Hosted PBX is the full business phone system that uses VoIP technology to manage your company’s calls, users, extensions and call flow. In simple terms: VoIP carries the calls and the Hosted PBX manages the switchboard features. For example, VoIP allows a call to be made over the internet, while the Hosted PBX controls what happens to that call, such as whether it goes to reception, an IVR menu, a call queue, voicemail or a specific extension.

What is the Difference between a Hosted PBX and SIP trunking?

A Hosted PBX is the cloud based switchboard system that manages your extensions, call routing, IVR menus, voicemail, ring groups and other PBX features. A VoIP SIP trunk is the VoIP service that connects your business phone system to the telephone network so that you can make and receive calls.

Can I keep my Existing Business Number?

Yes. You can keep your existing business telephone number or numbers by porting them to Switch Telecom. Number Porting allows you to move your current business numbers from your existing provider to Switch Telecom, so customers can continue calling the numbers they already know.

Do I need New Phones?

Not necessarily. Switch Telecom’s Hosted Switchboard works with most SIP handsets and softphones. If your existing phones are compatible SIP phones, you may be able to use them. Switch Telecom also offers a range of desktop and cordless VoIP phones if you need new hardware. The Switch Telecom Hosted Switchboard (PBX) also comes with free to use Mobile and Browser Based Softphones.

Can I use a Softphone?

Yes. Switch Telecom’s Hosted Switchboard includes a browser-based softphone and a mobile softphone for each extension at no extra charge. This allows users to make and receive business calls from a computer or mobile device, depending on the setup. It is especially useful for remote workers, mobile staff, home offices and businesses with users in different locations.

What Happens during Load Shedding or an Internet Outage?

If your internet connection or power goes down, calls can be diverted to voicemail, mobile numbers, other extensions or other numbers outside of your organisation. This helps your business avoid missed calls during connectivity or power failures. For best results during load shedding, businesses should also consider backup power for routers, fibre equipment and VoIP phones, or use mobile softphones and call forwarding as part of their fail over plan.

Can I Manage the Hosted Switchboard (PBX) Myself?

Yes. You can manage the Hosted Switchboard through an Online Self Service Portal. The portal allows you to make changes to the PBX yourself if required. A VoIP specialist can also help customise the solution according to your business needs.

Is Call Recording available?

Yes. Call recording is available as an optional extra. Switch Telecom offers optional short and long term call recording for businesses that need to record calls for training, quality control, compliance or dispute resolution.

How Much does it Cost?

Switch Telecom’s Hosted Switchboard costs R260 (excluding VAT) per 10 extensions per month. There is no installation fee, and the contract is month to month. The Hosted Switchboard also requires a VoIP SIP Trunk, which is charged separately (starting from R100 (excluding VAT) for 4 channels per month).