For those unfamiliar with PABX, the abbreviation stands for Private Automated Branch Exchange and describes a facility that can transform your company’s communication performance by enabling multiple telephone lines to internal extensions from external callers, via a single number.

All small businesses start life with a telephone; many with just a single line. The introduction of PABX expands opportunities by allowing multiple communications to take place at the same time in different areas of the company. Not only does PABX allow external callers to be automatically transferred to designated extensions, the system improves internal communication by offering extension to extension facilities, greatly improving internal task speed.

Speed dialing is a valuable feature of PABX systems and an asset to any business with a speed related performance target. An added advantage of PABX is that companies may tailor their own internal phone requirements to a certain extent, eliminating the need to consult telecoms providers for every innovation and adjustment. Each PABX system is utilized in a different way to best supply requirement and lends versatility in this respect.

PABX systems are user friendly, making them easy to manage and easy to train personnel on how to use handsets in an incredibly short time, which means economical training. Without PABX, companies may find it necessary to employ more staff to handle individual telephone inquiries, whereas with PABX it is possible to automatically transfer hundreds of calls in a short space of time, promoting better communications, better customer relations and higher profit.

PABX allows information to be programmed into the telephone system, in order to direct calls to the appropriate destination. The system facilitates multi tasking for employees and improves customer inquiry response significantly.

When a PABX system is operating at maximum efficiency, the need for operative staffing is eliminated. The customer finds the inquiry experience vastly improved by having direct access to target personnel and instantly receives the correct information from the correct department, without having to wade through operators and receptionists. Key departments for that inquiry pop up magically, making the inquiry process painless or even enjoyable.

System costs for PABX vary according to requirement and size, ranging from a few hundred dollars to many thousands. However, it is certain that companies upgrading to a PABX system find their business performance greatly enhanced by the improvement in communication lines through speed and efficiency and seldom entertain the option of returning to independent line operation. Most PABX systems are satisfactory for some years before companies consider upgrading or improving their system, usually in line with their own business expansion.