When a customer calls a business, their experience can leave a lasting impression and influence their perception of the company. This interaction, whether it’s the first time or not, is a deciding factor in the customer’s willingness to further engage with the business.
Proprietary PBX (private branch exchange) systems play a crucial role in helping companies streamline these interactions and ensure that every call is smooth, efficient, and professional.
This guide tells you everything you need to know about modern proprietary PBX systems and how your business can benefit from this telecommunication solution.
What is PBX?
Before diving into proprietary PBX systems, it’s essential to first understand what PBX is. PBX or Private Branch Exchange refers to an internal telephone network that allows users to talk to each other. They are designed to manage incoming and outgoing calls. At its most basic function, a PBX system allows a business to operate its own private telephone network and enables employees to communicate internally. It also enables multiple users to share a set number of external phone lines.
What are Proprietary-Based PBX Systems?
A proprietary PBX system is a telephone system within an organization or enterprise that relies on hardware, software, and system upgrades provided by a single vendor. This means that the system works exclusively with the manufacturer’s equipment, including hubs, switches, adapters, routers, and phone sets. Proprietary PBX systems are closed—meaning they are specifically designed to work only with their own components and infrastructure. This is a contrast to open-source PBX systems which can be customized and integrated with third-party solutions.
Proprietary PBX systems are typically installed on-premises, requiring dedicated hardware and infrastructure. They use a traditional public switched telephone network (PSTN) to connect calls, often through a combination of analog and digital lines.
Brands Offering Proprietary PBX Systems
To help you better understand proprietary PBX systems and what they can do for your business, here are some well-known vendors in the market that you might be familiar with:
Kital
Kital is a PBX and PABX supplier in the Philippines, providing PBX phone system solutions to small, medium, and large enterprises across various industries. Kital’s PBX and IP telephony handsets, software, and related devices are compatible with all legacy systems. Clients get better quality calls and collaboration tools without the need for a major office upgrade.
NEC
NEC is a cost-effective telecommunication system that can adapt to immediate and emerging business needs. They offer a range of proprietary PBX solutions, including the SV9100, SL1100, and SIP@Net series, designed for small to large enterprises.
Cisco
Cisco provides robust telecommunication solutions for medium to large enterprises. Their systems integrate well with other networking solutions from Cisco, making them a popular choice for organizations already using their networking equipment.
Mitel
Mitel provides a range of solutions, from on-premises to cloud-based systems. Their unified communication technologies keep teams and customers connected anytime, anywhere.
Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise
Alcatel’s proprietary PBX systems are favored by businesses that look for mobility, reliability, and scalability. The features they offer include call management, hybrid connectivity, and encryption.
Pros of Proprietary PBX Systems
Businesses that want seamless integration, vendor support, and cost efficiency in their communications should invest in proprietary PBX. Below are the benefits of doing so:
Stability
Since the entire system is designed, built, and maintained by the same provider, users can expect stability and consistency. Vendors ensure that their hardware and software work seamlessly to reduce compatibility issues. As a result, users don’t have to worry about power outages and other disruptions that might cause downtime or harm business continuity.
Uniform User Experience
A proprietary PBX system provides a consistent and familiar user experience across all devices. The hardware and software are pre-configured to work together, which makes it easier for users to adapt to the new system more quickly. Since a proprietary PBX system is an all-in-one solution, it’s designed to provide a seamless user experience.
Vendor Support and Maintenance
Proprietary PBX systems come with the assurance of manufacturer support. The vendor is responsible for providing maintenance, troubleshooting, and updates for the entire system, making it easier for organizations to manage their communication infrastructure.
Advanced Features
Proprietary PBX systems are equipped with features that meet business needs. They offer advanced functionalities such as call routing, voicemail, interactive voice response (IVR), and call recording. These features are often tightly integrated with the manufacturer’s hardware and software.
Cons of Proprietary PBX Systems
Despite its many benefits, a proprietary PBX system might not be the best fit for some organizations. Here are disadvantages to watch out for:
Vendor Lock-In
One of the biggest cons to consider is vendor lock-in. Many proprietary products can only function properly when used with other products from the same manufacturer. In other words, you become dependent on the manufacturer for everything and make it difficult and expensive to switch to a different system.
Compatibility Issues
Proprietary PBX systems may not be compatible with third-party hardware or software, limiting the options for integrating the system with other technologies.
Limited Customization
While some systems may offer flexibility in integrations or add-ons, the options in proprietary PBX are generally more limited compared to open-standard PBX. You are essentially stuck with the features that the vendor provides.
State-of-the-Art Proprietary PBX Solutions for Businesses
Proprietary PBX systems provide reliable, secure, and feature-rich telecommunication capabilities for businesses. However, they also come with significant drawbacks. Businesses must weigh these pros and cons to determine whether a proprietary PBX system suits their long-term goals.
If you want to learn more about how proprietary PBX systems work and if it’s a good fit for your business, contact Kital today. Kital’s proprietary PBX system is a cutting-edge communication solution designed to elevate your business operations. By choosing Kital, you invest in a reliable, future-proof system that positions your organization as technologically savvy and always accessible.