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 Advances and improvements in traditional PBX systems make them
more functional and easier to use.
The adaptation of data networks to carry voice provides ways to converge multiple networks
together using Voice over IP (VoIP) technology.
Both traditional PBX telephone systems and IP-PBX systems have their advantages. Much is
argued in the marketplace about which is better. The truth is neither is better simply by
its nature, but only by its application to meet the individual needs of the organization
using it. Simply put, choose the type of system that's best for you. Either way, IP
technology is already showing how it can improve the ways in which enterprises operate and
reduce costs.
IP-enabled PBX Systems
The rock solid reliability of PBX systems cannot be argued. They almost never go down and
rugged digital telephones are equally durable. They offer almost all the telephony
features anyone could need. However, while PBX systems support various Computer Telephony
Integration (CTI) and IP-enabling applications, converging the two technologies, the
telephones operate on a separate network from the organization's data network. This may be
an advantage or disadvantage depending upon the amount of IP network infrastructure you
already have in your enterprise. However, the advantage is being able to add IP
capabilities as needed. IP-enabling these PBX systems provides VoIP trunk access and
remote telephone user applications over IP networks, to supplement access through the
public switched telephone network. The IP-enabled PBX architecture typically involves the
addition IP trunk cards and IP station cards, with Ethernet interfaces, to existing PBX
systems as shown in the example below.
The IP-enabled PBX uses a single network of communication devices and wiring for both data
and voice traffic. This network consolidation is assumed to result in decreased network
administration, thus making deployment of services and applications easier. However, the
appropriate network monitoring and management tools must be in place because the exposure
is greater with everything running on one network. The network must also have sufficient
bandwidth to provide adequate voice quality for IP telephones. Hosting telephones
connected through one IP network, either locally via a LAN, or remotely in any location
via a private Intranet or the public Internet, provides the flexibility of distributed
configurations and remote telephone users. The IP network will provide all the call
switching, regardless of whether calls originate from the public switched telephone
network, digital or analog telephones, or IP telephones.
The Best of Both Worlds
But why should enterprises have to choose or compromise between these two approaches? Why
not have the best of both worlds? For most enterprises, the migration path to IP telephony
will be a gradual process rather than an event in time. Rather than acquiring new IP-PBX
technology through system replacement at higher cost and higher risk, it is expected that
most enterprises will integrate voice and data IP traffic into their existing systems as
the need arises. This approach protects your investment in existing voice, video, and data
networks and represents a low risk migration path.
If you're thinking this way, you're not alone.
Industry sources show that most enterprises with existing investment in traditional PBX
systems prefer this lower cost and lower risk transitional approach to IP integration,
accomplished through the addition of IP hardware and software to existing traditional PBX
systems.
This is also a less disruptive approach that enables IP-based services, yet maintains the
existing rich set of features and functions as well as the reliability of the
circuit-switched PBX.
IP-ready When You Are
Industry analysts identify the primary obstacles impeding organizations from migrating to
converged networks are perceptions about voice quality over IP, system reliability,
interoperability with existing systems, and cost.
Toshiba recognizes that to grow and stay competitive, business enterprises must be able to
incorporate the latest IP technologies into their communication systems both cost
effectively and without disrupting the flow of business. For example:
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