The Best on-premise PBX Business Phone Systems
Many of the best business phone systems remain to be an
on-premise PBX. The most appropriate choice depends just as much about
cost and needs
as it does about the way you get your current phone service. And the
facilities' infrastructure where the
system will be installed. If you receive your Internet and dial tone with
a PRI circuit then you'll need a PBX capable of handling a T1/PRI. If you have
four business lines you want to keep, then the phone system needs to
include four FXO ports. If you need to replace an older, outdated PBX and
require the use of existing older phone wiring then a hybrid digital IP-PBX would be the
best choice.
Top Ten on-premise IP-PBX Phone Systems 2021
*About the author. It's accurate that 2020 prompted many companies to determine that hosted
cloud based voice services had distinct advantages. Most notably for small new businesses and office
environments with remote workers. Many sales associates and on the go
employees need to connect as though they're in the office and hosted
services make that exceptionally easy. This trend continues now in 2021.
However, many companies prefer
an on-premise replacement phone system as a one-time expense and to mitigate
open ended
monthly costs which come with hosted solutions. These on premise
phone systems support remote workers and bring advanced features.
Over time costs for an on premise based PBX are typically lower than most hosted
systems. Plus, the greater the number of phones in a deployment the less
time it is to recoup the initial outlay and curtail monthly
expenses.
These on premise PBX Business Phone Systems offer outstanding Value
Mitel
offers exceptional communications solutions, both cloud based and
on-premise. The MiVoice Connect system replaced ShoreTel after its acquisition and
remains one of the top on premise
IP-PBX solutions available. At its core is the ShoreTel technology. It's a
feature rich flexible on site UC solution designed for an intuitive user
experience with easy management. The Connect client allows users to
access voicemail, directory, conferencing, transfer and other features
from inside the office or on their mobile app.
- High-end IP-PBX phone system. $$$ to $$$$
- Found in small to large organizations (hospitals, education, engineering, medical offices, government agencies, etc.).
PBXact,
Sangoma's IP-PBXs are based on FreePBX. They deliver a robust feature
rich IP-PBX appliance with lots of flexibility for just about any type
of small to mid-sized company. Although most SIP compliant phones can
be used, using Sangoma's S-series phones, which are designed
exclusively for PBXact, delivers a complete package with Zero Touch
installation. PBXact appliances range from small (25 users) all the
way to enterprise models and offer the means to connect to traditional
phone lines and a T1/PRI, in addition to using SIP trunks.
Complimenting these solutions Sangoma offers support making this
UC appliance an excellent choice for those that want to use in-house
personnel for its administration.
- IP-PBX phone system from small to mid-size. $$ to $$$
- Found in small to mid-size companies (contact centers, real estate offices, healthcare, retail, manufacturing facilities, engineering companies, etc.).
- Good choice for companies that want in-house administration.
Cisco is known for their enterprise Unified Communications (UC) solutions include the Business Edition 6000 for companies with 25 to 1000 employees. Coming with a suite of preloaded, ready to activate UC solutions the BE6000 offers easy expansion with apps that can be enabled including contact center, video conferencing, and Cisco Webex® Hybrid Services among others.
- High-end IP phone system. $$$$
- Found in large organizations (schools, hospitals, government agencies, contact centers, education, etc.).
- On site qualified technical staff a plus.
Fortinet
offers Unified Communication PBX solutions under FortiVoice with
appliances sized for both small offices and enterprise sized
companies. Their IP-PBX servers offer various TDM connections, including a T/1 in the FVE-300E-T model. FortiVoice
offers complete enterprise class communication systems without
requiring additional licenses fees or telephony cards. Some of the
integrated
features include auto attendants, auto-provisioning,
line/extension appearance, ring groups, user privileges, call
queue, call barge, and multi-location integration.
- IP-PBX appliance phone system. $$
- Found in small to mid-sized companies (medical, law agencies, offices, engineering, contact centers, etc.).
- On site technical staff a plus.
Zultys
MX IP-PBXs are based on Open Standards and if needed can be
used with broad range of 3rd party SIP based IP phones. Server
configuration can accommodate various TDM connections, including
ISDN T1/PRI. The MX integrates voice, video, integrated Fax, Voice Mail,
Contact Center, Presence, Instant Messaging, Zultys Mobile
Communicator™, integrated MXconference™ and audio conferencing. Zultys,
a pioneer in IP communications for twenty years, continues to receive
industry recognition. The MX IP phone system earned a 2020 Internet
Telephony Product of the Year Award from TMC.
- Feature rich VoIP ready phone system. $$
- Found in small to medium sized businesses. (office environments, retail, law offices, medical, etc.)
Switchvox
E-series on-premise appliances matched with their
D-series IP phones deliver a comprehensive UC solution for small to
mid-sized companies. Currently owned by Sangoma, Switchvox was
developed by Digium, the creator and developer of Asterisk. With
consistent reliable performance Switchvox VoIP appliances
integrate phone, fax, chat and web conferencing over SIP for a
feature rich communication solution. Switchboard, an intuitive web
based app, solves and integrates communications for customer
service agents so they possess the efficient means to complete more
functions improving service.
- IP-PBX phone system from small to mid-size. $$$
- Found in small to mid-size companies (contact centers, offices, manufacturing facilities, engineering companies, medical, etc.).
Avaya's
IP Office is one of the most popular unified communication (UC)
on site PBXs in the world. Providing flexible solutions their on premise
IP Office 500 PBX solves hybrid deployments (digital and IP) with the
ability to migrate from one to the other when the time is appropriate.
Moving from digital to IP to cloud based, Avaya's IP Office includes an
easy path. With the capacity to connect to any phone service (FXO, T1/PRI,
SIP) its a PBX that works for just about any environment, especially in
mixed use facilities that require the use of existing phone cabling.
- Hybrid PBX phone system. $$ to $$$
- Found in small to large companies (offices, call centers, manufacturing facilities, engineering companies, medical, etc.).
- Good choice for companies that need to use older cabling.
Allworx
Connect is a third generation feature rich VoIP communication
platform that offers
IP connectivity. Servers range from the 320 for a small office up
to the 731 capable of handling 250 users. The 324 and 320, for up to
20 users, can come with four FXO ports for those that want to keep
some traditional phone lines. The 731 includes a T1 port
for those using a PRI
circuit. An all inclusive PBX system, the Allworx Connect remains a
top choice for an on-premise PBX that has most of the features any
business would want.
- IP-PBX phone system from small to mid-size. $$
- Found in small to mid-size companies (offices, manufacturing facilities, engineering companies, medical, etc.).
NEC
is a major worldwide manufacturer of communications equipment that
offers both affordable small systems and enterprise solutions. Their
SL2100 remains an extremely practical feature rich PBX phone system
with VoIP capabilities that would compliment a broad range of
businesses. Choosing the NEC SL2100 is a cost-effective solution that
can be installed in just about any environment (Analog, PRI, IP) and ensures your company
will remain ahead
of the technology curve. NEC continues being a leading
manufacturer that you can count on for years to come.
- Hybrid PBX phone system for small to large. $ to $$
- Found in small to mid-sized companies (small hotels, healthcare, business offices, retail, manufacturing facilities, warehouses, etc.).
Grandstream's UCM IP-PBXs can connect up to your existing traditional phone lines or your Internet
connection using VoIP (or both). Based upon open source Asterisk and
SIP IP phones the UCM offers a feature robust Unified Communication system
without license fees. The impressive servers come with a carefully
designed interface that can integrate voice, video, facility access
and mobility communications. When matched with Grandstream endpoints
configuration and administration becomes relatively straightforward.
Support is included from Grandstream.
- Feature rich VoIP ready phone system. $$
- Found in small to mid-sized companies (offices, manufacturing facilities, hospitality, contact centers, etc.).
- Good choice for those that want to self manage.
These are the top Ten phone system choices
Conclusion: What's new starting from 2020 and now in 2021
It's easy to become overwhelmed with all the information obtainable. A preferable option might be to respond to a few straight-forward questions and then compare a few quotes.
From 2020 our best on premise PBX choices no longer include Samsung's
discontinued OfficeServ. For a similar reason NEC's SL series represents
the preferable choice over the DSX. As time proceeds it
will likely be harder to find telecom professionals for maintenance,
especially with Samsung. Furthermore, we have added two outstanding choices from Sangoma, the
PBXact and Switchvox.
Currently in 2021 each of our on-premise PBX business phone system choices
get high customer reviews and receive notable industry awards. Both the Mitel MiVoice Connect
(formally ShoreTel) and the Cisco Business Edition 6000 are excellent choices
where cost is not a limiting factor. Switchvox (Digium) offers another
high-end option for companies that have capable a IT staff. Avaya through
innovation remains a prominent solutions provider. The hybrid IP-Office
continues as a consistent option that can accommodate a broad range of varied
requirements.
NEC has for years developed a reputation for reliable, robust affordable
solutions which have been favorably received by companies worldwide. For
companies that desire an affordable VoIP appliance with innovative technology, Zultys
delivers an award
winning system. Likewise, Sangoma's PBXact and Grandstream's UCM
continue
as impressive
communications solutions, especially for those that want to manage
their
systems in house.
FortiVoice part of Fortinet, would represent an
attractive choice for many companies,
especially those that at present use their
first-rate security devices. And Allworx delivers an advanced IP system
that has seen thousands of small business deployments. Each of the chosen PBX companies, some of which
offer
cloud based services should continue to deliver communications
solutions into the future, ensuring product certainty.
Brochures
Cisco BE6000 Brochure Switchvox Brochure Mitel MiVoice Connect Brochure Avaya IP Office 500 Brochure Grandstream UCM Brochure
PBXact Brochure NEC SL2100 Brochure FortiVoice Brochure Allworx Brochure Zultys MX Brochure
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