A complete mobile telephony solution for SMEs
The Aepona Virtual PBX (VPBX) enables enterprise users to reap the benefits of an advanced wireless PBX solution, allowing the control of incoming and outgoing calls to and between all employees of an enterprise across a mobile subscriber base. Additionally, a mobile or virtual attendant feature allows the routing of calls to the enterprise's main number to a mobile attendant, who can transfer calls to employees on-demand.
The traditional approach
The traditional approach to a PBX has many well-known features, including:
- On-site PBX connecting to the PSTN, certainly for medium- and large-scale enterprises
- Multi-line fixed desk phones, with on-screen display and multiple menus
- Call transfer between desk phones, call parking, voicemail etc
However, there are a number of shortcomings, including:
- The enterprise’s mobile phone base is a separate closed system, with handsets that cannot interact with other mobiles in the same way as a PBX
- The PBX attendants are situated in fixed positions, and when they leave their desk the system possibly is unwatched
- For a small enterprise, the investment needed to purchase or lease a PBX may be prohibitive
Hence, Aepona have added a Virtual PBX to our solutions portfolio, which provides a virtual PBX functionality through an operator's network linking mobile handsets together in a virtual network.
Virtual (mobile) PBX approach
The approach to a virtual mobile PBX is shown below, with the following features that are distinctly different to a traditional PBX:
- There is minimal hardware investment required
- There are no fixed telephone lines or premise-base equipment, reducing time-to-market for an enterprise solution
- The system is based around mobile handsets, which are now ubiquitous in a business environment, supporting a mobile workforce
- Attendants are also mobile, providing a 24x7 “front-of-house” facility
- The 24x7 support and maintenance of the solution is provided by the network operator, offering carrier-grade reliability to enterprises
The VPBX approach means that traditional PBX features can be made available to an operator's subscribe in a closed user group. These include features such as private numbering plans for voice and SMS, screening and barring schemes based on many different criteria, any-to-any calls, hunt groups and incoming calls to a group number, call forwarding, call transfer and conferencing facilities.
A web-based or client-based switchboard operator feature is also available providing call transfer for incoming calls where the operator can see the status of employees and can forward calls to other colleagues or to voicemail, as appropriate.
Finally, the end user can control his or her availability from a simple self-service interface over the web or via SMS or an IVR.
