PBX (private branch exchange) refers to the business phone system that a company operates and it is usually sub-sectioned into two categories – hosted or on-site. Hosted PBX refers to the system being handled by the service provider, while on-site PBX is where the company assumes responsibility for managing the system within its own premises.
This infographic by Irish Telecom (www.irishtelecom.com) compares between the two options in an unbiased manner using a number of different factors, such as cost and flexibility. Hosted PBX holds advantages in terms of reducing the workload by leaving the service provider to handle all PBX-related tasks, and they will also have access to better resources for this purpose. On the whole, it is quicker, cheaper and easier to implement. However, there are legitimate reasons for businesses preferring to host the PBX solution on-site. The main attraction is that the business can tailor the solution exactly as they please and instantly carry out any necessary work instead of being wholly dependent on the service provider.
The question as to which is the better option comes down to this: the better option is the one that is more suitable for your business. If you have a small business and you can’t afford to host the solution yourself, you are best off to leave it to your service provider. On the other hand, if you have the capability and expertise to handle the solution, taking responsibility for it gives you full control over how it operates.
Take a look at the infographic below to see whether hosted or on-site PBX would be the better fit for your business.
