There are many PBX models, many PBX companies who are always trying to sell their PBX machines to you. So, it might be difficult for you to choose the right PBX manufacturer for buying your right PBX system.

Most of the modern PBX manufacturer offer same kind of PBX machines with similar or almost similar features. So, as per few of parameters like number of lines, number of trunk lines, you may be able to fnalise kind of PBX machines, but you still need to decide which PBX company! While, it may be easy for corporates or people who have been associated with Telecom field, but it may not be that easy for a new customer or user of PBX.

So, deciding on a PBX company may not be easy for a new buyer. Here is one thumb rule, one should follow :-

1. Support
Yes, after sales support should be the main consideration for buying a PBX machines. This is very important as PBX machine is supposed to work 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, without any failure. All major business activities are dependent on this single equipment, PBX! So, my recommendation would be to buy PBX machine from the company which can provide local support in your city.
Else, it may happen, your cost of maintenance would be higher than that of the PBX machine itself! Apart from the cost part, support is also very much important due tot fact that, PBX machines need to be upgraded periodically. Also there might be requirement of changing some parameters in the PBX when some other telecommunication equipments are commissioned.

2. Range or products
The PBX companies which have large models as well as range of products with number of extensions, trunk lines, interfacing technology like SS7, ISDN, VoIP should be preferred simply because of future enhancements! Telecom is such an industry where lot of innovations taking place! So, it is a good idea to choose a PBX company who has many products.

I think, these are two major aspects one should consider while choosing a PBX company. Cost is one important factor, specially in Indian market. The choice of PBX companies may vary from industry where PBX is being used.

India is now famous for fastest growing telecom market in the world . But, I think, this ‘telecom market’ mainly means GSM subscribers growth and enviable figures of adding almost 10 million subscribers every month. This figure surely looks impressive. But apart from, GSM or mobile subscribers, PBX market is also growing at around 20% ( estimate by few PBX dealers.)

Though VoIP is not gaining much popularity and has not grabbed any substantial market share in India so far. This is mainly due to government policy of barring VoIP connectivity with PSTN due to security concern. I thought I would try to prepare a list of PBX companies in India. I have divided them into two types, MNC ( Multinational Company) and Indian PBX companies:-

1. MNC branded PBX companies

1. AVAYA GlobalConnect
Most probably, the biggest MNC PBX player in India. They focus more into enterprise business. They have created their own dealer network all over India. They sell many voice networks, unified messaging solutions, call center etc.
2. Samsung
The electronics major manufactures PABX too and they sell in India too. HCL ( Hindustan Computers Limited) is Samsung distributor in India which provides all kinds of PBX right from analog to digital TDM switches.
3. Alcatel
Alcatel also sells varous PBX, PBX machines in India through their dealers, value added resellers all over India.
4. Ericcson ( Now AASTRA)
AASTRA sells their EPBX in India through HCL Infosystem ltd. HCL has dealer in all over India.

5. Siemens
Siemens India is Siemens subsidiary in India. They also have their own dealer network to sell their PBX and various voice networking solutions.

6. Tadiran Telecom
Tadiran is Isreal based MNC selling their PBX systems in India for long time now. They are tied up with HCL infosystem and BPL telecom.

7. Karrel
Karrel is US based PBX manufacturer selling PBX systems in India through their distributor Intellicon Pvt. Limited based in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.

8. Panasonic
Panasonic is another MNC brand selling all over India though their own network.

9. NEC
NEC has tied up with Syntel, Arbidn Mills Telecom divison and sells all kinds of EPABX equipments.

2. Domestic Indian PBX companies
After the demise of C-DOT who is said to have revolutionised Telecom industry in India by designing telephone exchange at very low cost, there was a vacuum in switch manufacturer in India. But it seems, recently it has found one Indian PBX company with good R&D and large number of products in Coral Telecom.

1. Coral Telecom
Coral Telecom seems to be the biggest PBX company in India now with products ranging from small analog PBX to large VoIP based switches. It has large clients in BSNL, Indian Railways, government departments, Public Sector units, Defence forces. Head quartered in Noida, India, it has now offices in other countries too.

2. Accord
It is another PBX manufacturing company selling various small to large PABX machines throughout India. Based in Meerut and they have branch offices all over India.

4. Matrix
Matrix might be the second largest Indian PABX company. They have many PBX products, analog and digital. They have large customer base and has offices all over India. Matrix is well known PBX brand in India.

5. Centrex Telecom
Centrex is Hyderabad based company with offices in many cities in India. They mainly manufacture low end analog PABX systems.

6. Crystal Digital Concepts
Crystal is another PBX company in India which manufacture and sell analog and digital PBX systems with GSM connectivity. They too sell directly with their offices in various cities in India.

7. Syntel Telecom
Syntel is telecom division of well known company Arbind Mills Limited. They have been manufacturing smaller PBX machines and sold many PABX to Indian Army. They have tied up with NEC for high end PBX systems.

So these were the names of companies operating in India in PBX market. If I have not listed any, kindly add here by commenting!