Automatic telephone exchange (PBX) is a device by means of which a call signal is transmitted between two or more telephones automatically. Among modern automatic telephone exchanges, digital and analog types of devices are the most popular. Each of them has its own distinctive features, advantages and disadvantages that must be considered when buying.
The main differences between analog and digital PBX
Analog exchanges can convert speech into pulsed or continuous electrical signals. The main capabilities of such equipment are: intercom, pulse tone dialing, call hold, call transfer, redial of the last number, conference calls, receiving a call by another subscriber, day / night operation, paging. Analog PBXs are quite reliable and easy to use. Such equipment can be used if high requirements are not imposed on the functionality of the network, and the number of subscribers is no more than 50. Installing such a system in a small company would be the best solution. Compared to digital PBXs, analog equipment is cheaper. The disadvantage of analog PBXs is a rather small number of functions; the system configuration is rigid and cannot be changed.
Unlike analogue digital exchanges, they can convert speech using the method of pulse-code modulation into streams of binary pulses. They have a significant number of service functions; both digital and analog telephone lines can be connected to them. It is possible to connect devices via two-wire conventional lines. Digital automatic telephone exchanges, in contrast to analog ones, are more expensive. They are distinguished by the flexibility of the system and programming plan, and have different requirements for the production technology. The most effective is the use of such automatic telephone exchanges with the number of subscribers more than 50.
Features of digital PBX
The advantages of digital automatic telephone exchanges include high reliability, flexible programming (for example, LCR), microcellular communication. They provide excellent speech quality, have the ability to create a call center. The use of a digital automatic telephone exchange makes it possible to connect system systems (up to two devices), develop video telephony, and integrate with a computer network. With its help, you can work with digital lines BRI and PRI, as well as with Internet telephony.
The functions of digital PBX are as follows:
- auto attendant - subscriber tone dialing, which helps to connect the caller with the internal subscriber;
- voice mail - if the subscriber is busy, the caller can leave a voice message;
- DECT communication - allows employees to move around the office with a DECT handset;
- IP telephony - a communication system that transmits a voice signal over other IP networks or over the Internet;
- CTI (Computer Telephony Integration) - allows you to integrate mini-ATS with software;
- conference call - provides communication of several participants at the same time;
- remote administration of digital mini-automatic telephone exchanges - allows you to configure and program automatic telephone exchanges at a distance;
- external loud notification (paging), which allows you to find the right employee or notify all employees about an event.
