Coral Telecom is famous for its IRIS series of PBX systems which are high end PBX systems with high capacity and high cost as well along with its size! Iris Lite is another product which is the compact version both in terms of size and budget, but not in terms of features!

IRIS LITE PBX from Coral Telecom

It is built around “powerful 32 Bit ARM processor with fully distributed architecture not allowing not only faster processing but also optimum utilization of main CPU time.” It inherits all powerful and useful feature from IRIS switch.

Few of the interesting features are :-

1. IP Cloud Connectivity

VOIP Card can be installed to give direct connectivity to IP cloud(SIP/H-323) from its any analog extension. It uses standard CODEC with in-built echo canceler.

2. ISDN “U” Interface

Extends ISDN “U” Bus on a Single pair of copper wire upto a distance of 5 Km from the PBX. All standard ISDN Equipment such as ISDN Phones, Video Conferencing equipment, etc., can be connected to it using NT 1. This is useful in building voice and data network within remote factories/sites/offices scattered around large geographical area.

3. Conferencing

It ha up to 128 Party Conference , both supervised or unsupervised. It can involve external lines, SIP connections. The capacity of the conference connections can be configured.

4. Railway E&M Trunk support

It has support for Railway 2/4W E&M support. It provides direct connectivity between railway phone to outside PSTN network.

5. CTI Application

It has very useful CSTA support which gives any CTI applications many powerful features. It has ANI, DNI, Call Progress report etc.

IRIS LITE is low cost, value for money yet, very powerful and feature rich on premise PBX system. Organisation who need feature rich and powerful, yet within budget and scope for many upgradation, IRIS LITE is an ideal choice.

Matrix Telecom, an well-known PBX brand in India, has a range of PBX system specially designed for hospitality industries. It has hotel EPABX starting from 16 lines to 516 lines. The models like ETERNITY ME16S, ETERNITY ME10S, ETERNITY GE12S etc. are feature rich as well as suits any kind of modern hotel and many hotel specific features.

Most probably, Matrix Telecom Solution is the only PABX manufacturer in India which manufacture PBX range exclusively for hospitality industry. Many other PBX manufacturer in India provide hotel functionality in the form of additional module in the same general purpose PABX machine.

Few of the interesting and hotel specific features of Matrix Hospitality EPABXs are :-

1. Back Ground Music / Ringback tone

This is an interesting feature which allows external audio source like CD player etc. be connected. t becomes hold-music as well as caller ring back tone when a music is being played.

2. Emergency Call Detection and Reporting

Emergency calls like Police, Fire etc. are automatically detected and reported. It has also option for starting a hooter during such emergency thereby alerting everyone in the hotel.

3. Floor Service Destination(s)

This is another useful and interesting feature of Matrix Hotel EPABX which is very useful in a multi-storied hotel. It allows calls by rooms to land on the ‘room service’ number on the same floor.

4. GSM, VoIP and T1/E1 Connectivity

These facilities offer value added service to guests in a hotel where they may get benefits of least cost routing for making both mobile calls as well as international calls.

5. Voice Guidance on Tones

This is unique features built into Matrix Hotel PBXes. This feature is like IVR which can guide guests with recorded voice. For example, if any guest dial room service and room service number is busy, then it can play a message like, this number is busy, please press 1 if you want this number to call you back!

Apart from these features, it also has all the hotel specific features in it. Matrix Hospitality PBX are quite popular in India and they have large installations. Hotels which are looking for EPABX specially suitable for their hotels, Matrix Hospitality PBX systems are good choice!

Though PBX itself is a complete equipment and can perform standalone, but it can also be connected to many other equipments like other PBX, computer, PSTN etc. With connecting two or more PBX together, it is possible to build a large private voice and data network spread over large geographical area.

The interfaces of a PBX machine could be divided as follows :-

1. Interface with other PBX or PSTN
a. PSTN analog line
PSTN analog lines could be used to connect “trunk lines” in a PBX. PSTN lines in turn could be used to establish voice call with any telephone number in the world.

b. Trunk lines
Trunk lines are ports which are used for connecting any analog telephone extension. It can be a PSTN telephone line or extension of another PBX system.

d. ISDN
ISDN ( Integrated Services Data Network) is used to connecting other PBX, PSTN with digital protocol. It uses either E1 ( 2.048MBPS) or T1 ( 1.54MBPS) data link for connecting a PBAX machine from either PSTN network or PBX. It provides 30 voice channels while using E1 and 24 voice channels while using T1.

e. R2MF
Multiple Frequency R2 is another digital protocol which is used for connecting exchange to exchange. Now a days, it is not much used giving way for much simpler digital interface like ISDN PRI or SS7.

f. SS7

SS7 is the latest and most modern protocol for connecting two or more PBX. It has many features and flexibility to build large networks and connect variety of data and voice networks. It is widely used now a days and has many powerful and useful features for telephone network.

g. Proprietary

Many PBX manufacturers use their own proprietary interface protocol for connecting their own PBX systems. Now a days, usage of proprietary protocols is on the decline.

2. Interface with Computer

a. CTI Cards
To connect to a computer in order to use PBX voice and network resources, CTI boards are used. And CTI boards are connected with PBX using any of the above interfacing ( #1 above). Now a days, CTI applications widely used to provide voice applications like IVR ( Interactive voice response) systems, Voice mail, CRBT, Auto Dialer etc.

b. RS232 com port

RS232 or COM port interface is mainly provided to program PBX using a computer. It is also used to monitor calls online and download CDR ( call data record).

c. LAN
LAN or local area networking port is also provided in many PBX for voice recording as well as other online monitoring purpose.

While PBX may have many components for performing telephone exchange activities, but there are some components which are very important and are a must for a PBX machine and are present in any type of PBX machines irrespective of their make, model or brand. They are :-

1. CPU
Like a PC, PBX too contains a CPU ( Central Processing unit) which controls all switching activities, routing of calls, call logging, connect, disconnect etc. It performs all the logic and normally controlled by a power MCU ( Micro Controller Unit). Many manufacturers design CPU as a plugin in card so that it could be installed in PBX cabinet easily.

2. Power Card
Another important module or component of any PBX system is power card or power supply module. Power supply is important module as it gives output of -48V/-24DC DC which is required to supply to telephone instrument for dial tone, ring tone etc. The capacity of the power supply unit depends on number/capacity of extension lines of the PBX. It is normally designed a plugin card or built into the PBX cabinet.

3. Line Cards
Line cards are modular units which could be plugged in to PBX cabinet in order to increase number of extension lines. This is very important modules as it provides the connect to the telephone instrument at user end. By making them modular, PBX can have future upgrade facility and reduce initial cost to the customer.

4. Operator Console
Operator console is a telephone line instrument which could be used to control incoming calls, routing incoming calls to extensions by a human intervention. It is an useful component used by a telephone operator or a human receptionist.

5. Trunk lines
Trunk lines are the connection to the outside world of the PBX. It can be both digital or analog. Analog trunk lines are analog telephone lines from PSTN. When it is digital, it uses digital interfacing technology like ISDN, SS7 etc. Normally, high end PBX which needs more trunk lines use digital standard and lower end PBX uses analog lines.

Apart from these, telephone instruments, wiring, UPS ( Uninterrupted Power Supply), earthing arrangement are important part of any PBX system.

What is an intercom?
An intercom (a short form of intercommunication) is a stand-alone electronic communications system used for limited or private conversation inside a home. Normally,  it is an well-known communication system

 

Intercom Image

between PA ( Personal assistant) and the officer. There are large intercoms available now a days as well as it can have connectivity with wireless, telephone as well as cellphone.
Intercom is also widely used as door phone which is used to communicate between a person inside home with anyone at the door without having to open the door. This is a typical use of intercom due to rising security concern in city areas.

What is PABX or PBX of EPABX ?
PBX also known as private branch exchange with various versions like private automatic branch exchange (PABX), electronic private automatic branch exchange (EPABX) is a small switch or telecom exchange owned as used by a private organisation or corporate. It has many features like voice mail, strong and sophisticated connection with PSTN ( Public Switched Telephone Network)

PBX has almost banished intercom from the market worldwide and intercom has become just a door phone now. Most probably, intercom scores over PBX on two counts,

Typical PBX Picture

it is way cheaper and it can give video call type facility at much lower cost. But it is because it is a smaller system mainly. Here are few major differences between intercom and PBX:-

1. Number of lines
If PBX says, it has 512 lines, it means all 512 people can talk, while intercom may have 512 lines, but it will have 50 speech path which means, only 25 pair of people can talk to each other. If the 51st person lifts his handset, he would hear, this trunk busy! Most probably this is the major drawback of intercom.

2. PSTN connectivity
Due to its limited speech lines, intercom normally do not have any PSTN connectivity. Though now days, PSTN lines line be patched to it, but that is not a standard feature. One of the main utility of PBX system is sharing of PSTN lines for both incoming and outgoing calls along with communication within PABX extension lines. PBX also has intercom facility as one among its many advanced features.

3. Features
Demise of intercom can be attributed mainly its lack of features. It lacked many features that PBX offers. Modularity in PBX design where multiple PBX systems can be connected to facilitate communication between distant locations. PBX also offers many advanced features which allows it to adapt to changing new technologies.

4. Cost
Cost of intercom is much cheaper than PBX. But that can not compensate the lack of features which PBX offers at higher cost.

5. Usage
PBX has usage in large corporations, enterprises for various applications like IVR (Interactive Voice Response), voicemail, audio conferencing etc. While usage of intercom is now almost confined to door phone.

So, intercom can be thought as obsolete technology now an its few features are available in all modern PABX systems. If one thinks of door phone, buy a intercom, if communication in a office, think of PBX.

There are few things one must consider before buying any PABX. There are many types, with various capacities, various feature availabilities are available to choose from. But these are the things one should ask himself when one decides to buy a PABX. Here are the four tips for buying a PABX for your office :-

PABX BUYING TIPS

1. Size of the PABX
Here the size of the PBX/PABX means number of trunk line and number of extension lines. Trunk lines are also known as CO(Call Office or Central Office) lines which is connection to PSTN ( Public Switched Telephone Network) for communicating with outside world.
The extension is number of extension lines to be installed in the office. Deciding requirement of number extension should depend on number of important posts which require constant telephone connectivity. In a office with maximum marketing activities may need more extension lines than a office with product development activities.
Trunk lines can be analog or digital. Number of lines ( ports) start with minimum 30 in a digital trunk. Analog trunks are normal PSTN connections.
One should also consider future growth of the organisation in term of headcount.

2. Future upgrades
Upgradability or expansion ability of the PBX should be an important factor to decide what PBX to buy. There are PBX models which can be upgraded to certain number of trunk lines or number of extensions. Also, cost of upgrade may vary from existing number of ports in trunk as well as in extensions.
So, one should consider up-gradation cost carefully.

3. Price
Price is very important factor to decide a PBX to buy. Specially in India which is a very price sensitive market. But one should not compromise quality of PBX system in order to choose a cheaper PBX. There are many auxiliary cost with PBX systems like wiring, power supply backup, battery, rack etc. PBX systems which are cheaper with same configuration, but may not perform well under load.
One should also consider maintenance cost of a PBX system before deciding one. Support is one feature, which should taken into consideration.

4. Features of PBX
This may be difficult to choose. Now a days PBX systems offer many features. Still, one must have the features listed below :-
a. Call transfer
b. Caller Id
c. Call Conferencing
d. Auto attendant
d. Call Forwarding

For advanced features like voicemail, CTI ( Computer Telephony Integration) may cost higher but may prove to be very useful in the long run.

These are few things one should consider. I may not have listed all points to consider, so I would like to welcome comments from readers pointing out points I may have missed out.

PBX or PABX has been widely used in many industries and it has become a standard telecom equipment for any office, big or small. For any hotel, it is a must now a days. Previously, people used only PSTN ( Public Switched Telephone Network) even to communicate between same building, The other option was to use an office peon to notify and talk face to face. It wasted office hours. With introduction of PABX in offices, inter office communication has improved and efficiency has gone up.

PBX and VOIP

Another problem with PABX is its high maintenance. Upgrading PBX systems are also not easy and normally they are expensive. When new technologies arrive, they tend to become obsolete quickly and needs replacement which becomes cost to an organisation.

There comes VOIP! VOIP stands for Voice Over IP. Normally, every office now uses computer and computers are networked through LAN or wireless. So instead of using different wiring for telecom network, same Ethernet cables can be used to communication between people in office. Since it operates on IP technology, it is standardised all over the world. It has reduced cost, easy upgrade and adopt newer technologies. VOIP also offers easy administration of communication network.

Also VOIP has many more features like voicemail, data transfer, video call, conference call etc. The cost is also much lower. Since it is software driven, there are almost unlimited possibilities of features which will help people communicate, share and increase efficiency.

So, VOIP is the emerging technology and the way PBX has replaced PSTN for inter office, in-house communication, VOIP may replace PBX in future. And all major PBX manufacturer are already increasing their focus on VOIP.