PBX stands for Public Branch eXchange, and refers to the telephony switchboard hardware. The PBX is where an incoming phone call can be routed to different extensions. Normally this hardware is all kept in some back room or closet at a company, but with the introduction of VoIP technology these devices no longer need to be on site. When a phone call is placed to a customer of a hosted VoIP PBX service, the phone call goes instead to their business location, gets processed through their hardware, and is then sent to your phone extensions. So the short, simple, easy explanation is that a hosted VoIP PBX provides advanced call routing service without you needing to handle the technical side - because it's a PBX service that's being hosted by someone else.
There's a wide variety of additional benefits to getting a PBX service aside from just routing calls, however. Aside from routing calls, handling holds and transfers, and allowing more than one person to be reached from a single business number, the PBX also manages incoming calls for the business that are not immediately picked up.
For multi office businesses, home office based business or even multi country businesses a hosted VoIP PBX provides the ability to control voice communications to and from customers and also between offices.
Similarly, hosted VoIP PBX systems also provide those benefits, as well as a few others. Because it is a hosted system, there's no high initial cost for buying the expensive hardware. There's also never an upgrade cost for changing hardware. Unlike traditional PBX services, hosted VoIP PBX makes advanced business technology available for even small businesses.
Contact us for more information about special features, hosted vs. hardware, or help choosing your provider.