mikegreenlong says:

As businesses of all sizes begin to rely on VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol), the virtual PBX option has become a widely popular choice. A virtual PBX arrangement, in which a telephony system is provided through an Internet download and then managed by an outside service, offers a low-cost and easy-to-set-up means for a business to use VoIP services. Such a system can assist companies and solo entrepreneurs in creating a more professional image that lets them grow their businesses more quickly.

Yet for businesses searching for a virtual PBX provider, the options can be daunting. Some services excel in providing businesses with a diverse range of calling features but make it difficult to combine those features without increasing the cost of the calling plan significantly. Other providers may offer basic services at a low cost but might be unable to grow with the business’s need for enhanced calling features.

Before you can choose a virtual PBX provider, as well as the plan appropriate for your business, you should first understand what services are available and how they work.

What Is Virtual PBX?
PBX is the commonly used term for a private branch exchange, a telephone exchange system that serves one business. Originally a PBX was designed to allow companies to control their phone systems through in-house operators. Today, instead of just connecting calls, these systems also connect fax machines, computer modems, and other types of technology that route through the phone lines.

Businesses embracing VoIP were, from the start, highly interested in making use of PBX systems, but they had to find a way to do so that didn’t tap their resources. The solution has been to use “hosted PBX” systems, in which an outside company manages the private VoIP system; instead of the telephone exchange system’s being located at the business, it is located at the site of the VoIP host. This arrangement allows a small business to take advantage of a comprehensive VoIP system without having to maintain a staff to keep that system running.

Just as VoIP systems have begun to offer a variety of features, virtual PBX providers have evolved to supply additional services, such as messaging, call-forwarding, and call-waiting options, as well as advanced calling features such as automatic dialing. Virtual PBX hosting also offers advanced features that are unique to the integration of the phone and computer.

For example, many providers offer Outlook integration so that users