PABX vs. PBX: What’s the Difference

Some people seem confused about the difference between a PABX and PBX. What are their differences, really? This article will try and explain these differences

In essence, PBX means “Private Branch Exchange.” On the other hand, PABX means “Private Automatic Branch Exchange.”

If it is not obvious for everyone, the word “Automatic” essentially signifies the difference between the two. What does this mean? In short, you can think of a PABX exchange as an automated PBX exchange. One can thus argue that PABX is just a type of PBX.

But again, what are the differences between the two

What You Need to Know About PBX

Virtual phone number systems that we previously used to have consisted of conventional business telephones. In some cases, it consisted of what we call “POTS” (also known as plain old telephone system), which could only accommodate just one user at a time.

Under the system, individual employees should have a personal number and at the same time, other calls would not be able to come through.

Businesses, even though they are operating in different locations, would have to get new connections and numbers. That was the reality, even if the branch operated in the same city.

Expanding their operations to different locations required businesses to first check in every location available terminals to connect their phones to.

As technology advanced, new improvements introduced electronic switching as well as a new name since the old PBX system just became obsolete, paving the way for PABX. The new system was introduced to differentiate the manual system (the human-operated one) from the automatic (which is electronic switch-operated). But given the similarities of the two systems, “PBX” and “PABX” have become used interchangeably, given that they essentially revolve around the same system

PBX systems modified and even eliminated a lot of the physical challenges of the telephone systems of old. Before, a PBX system was hosted in a room, thanks to the help of switchboard operators, who were given the primary task of plugging wires in order to connect calls between users.

Although a PBX system has dramatically modified how businesses or people make and take calls, the setup still posed various challenges. These include users being limited to some outside calls (also known as trunks) as well as internal phones (or also called as extensions).

A PBX system uses a number of external phone lines in order for users to switch the calls. The system is also used by a lot of businesses before as a cost-efficient system since it provided a more affordable method to get lines for users. The lines used basically connect to the main office of a phone’s company. A PBX system is not operated and maintained by a telephone firm. Instead, the system is managed by an enterprise.

The PBX system allows easier and more efficient communication within a company or business using various software and hardware tools, including telephone sets and adapters, routers, hubs, among others.

What You Need to Know About PABX

Automatic switching systems, without doubt, have drastically improved how a PBX system operates. But at the end of the day, these systems do not remove human action. Live operators, after all, are still needed.

Electronic switching basically allowed the newer PABX systems and ultimately helped businesses to integrate features previously unavailable in manual systems. These included voicemail, call conferencing, as well as Internet connectivity.

PABX systems allow the switching needed to make internal calls among companies and connect extensions as well as external phone lines. Huge businesses with contact centers therefore have to thank a PABX system for better communication, since it enables a single access number for everyone to open various lines for callers while at the same time giving out external lines for the company staff, including internal callers.

A hybrid PBX system can provide companies the benefits of PBX and PABX systems. For example, a hybrid PBX can harness existing legacy equipment and then use it using Voice over Internet Protocol (or more known as VoIP) to provide more advanced capabilities as well as greater flexibility. A hybrid system can also integrate the same features given by VoIP services, including auto-attendant and call rules. Such a system can also enable companies to have videoconferences, virtual conference rooms, among others. 

Today’s workforce undoubtedly is always on the move. This is why business phone systems of today should adapt to cater to the needs and desires of the current workforce. Transferring from a traditional communication line to a modified PBX system may be able to help teams adjust to various demands as well as fast turnover rates. The system can also cater to various customer concerns, regardless of geographic challenges.

Standard PABX Features

Here are some standard features of a PABX system:

•       Auto Attendant (or what you can call as “Digital Receptionist”): Automatically links callers to the company’s target extension number. The system also uses a simple menu.
•       Call Forwarding: Allows admins route incoming calls according to specific criteria.
•       Call Queueing: Enables staff to make a system to manage routing calls when it comes to specific ring groups.
•       Call Recording: Allows call recording for legal, documentation, or other purposes.
•       Call Transfer: Allows users to transfer live calls to other relevant departments or employees
•       Call Waiting: Allows users to handle various ongoing calls even at the same time.

Summary

PBX means “Private Branch Exchange.” On the other hand, PABX means “Private Automatic Branch Exchange.” Thus, the major difference between the concepts is the word “Automatic.” Thus, PABX just is a type of PBX; only that is automated.

Under PABX, all processes have become automated. Because all PBX systems these days have become automated, the term “PBX” has become vanished. Currently, the telephonic system in many organizations have all become “PABX” systems. These systems have all features automated, including conferencing, voicemail, Internet connectivity, among others.

For more information how a PABX system can help you or your business, check out Telnum for its services and features. Companies have attested that the VoIP system by HotTelecom can boost the level of effectiveness with incoming calls. The firm can also help businesses increase the loyalty level of customers since the system can allow them to share their concerns as fast as possible.