EPABX systems are installed in every organization and big companies. You may have heard a lot about it but if you still don’t know what it is, you are in the right place.
The word EPABX is abbreviated for Electronic Private Automatic Branch eXchange. These are the phone lines utilized in business companies.
The Basics of an EPABX
They have used to setup multiline connections through a central telephone. It serves as a switching function where 10,000 people can be linked through a single line.
It can be operated internally as well as external to the organizational structure, i.e. clients. It aids in smooth and easy communication throughout the office. The boss can establish an immediate connection with the staff members through EPABX.
How does the system work?
It works by connecting various devices on one line. For instance, if you have two telephones at the main office, eight telephones can be connected through these and can make or receive a call using the same two numbers at a time.
Features of EPABX
EPABX comes with a lot of standard and additional features that make it’s running smooth and viable. With these features, business firms make it easy to communicate with the staff and external clients. These features are:
Auto-attendant
Have you ever heard the automatic machine answering your phone call? It is one of the features of EPABX.
Automated directory services
With this feature, the one call can be taken or directed to the said employee by speaking the employees’ names. You can also be directed through keying the name on a telephony device.
Conference call
Before the EPABX system, no one could enjoy the feature of a conference call on telephones. But now it is possible and multiple people can speak to each other through phones using a single line and connection.
Music on hold
Almost every company utilizes this feature. Music (that can be downloaded by the user) is played when calls are being transferred to another employee or user. This music can be changed after some time and hence, the clients or people on hold are not bored of waiting.
The automated directory service is extended to a point where if you are attending a call in the conference room and you move back to your office, you can redirect the ongoing call back to your room and continue where you left off.
Mobile extension
You can also connect or integrate mobile phones to the EPABX system so it is used to make outgoing calls rather than using a telephone. If you are at a place where the telephone is not available, you can call through your integrated mobile phone using the same office line.
Call distribution
This feature is beneficial in call centers. The system detects and distributes agents calls evenly between all the employees of a call center. This can aid the organization in balancing the employee workload.
Other features of EPABX include: call accounting, forwarding, park, pick-up, transfer, waiting, etc. Also, customized greeting, speed dials, DND mode, night service, and shared message boxes are some of the additional features of the EPABX.
Components of the system
Any setup requires some essential components to work properly. Without any of these, a system is not optimized and won’t work. These components are each crucial to the working of the system. The components of EPABX are:
- A switching network
- Microcomputers for processing data
- LOGIC cards for facilitation
- Lines or stations for telephone equipment
- External trunks to transfer signals between the EPABX
- Console to control calls
- UPS, wires, and other equipment to carry out the functions
Things to be concerned about for setting an EPABX
Before fixing an EPABX you must choose an area that is protected from harsh environmental conditions. Earth wires should be provided. And planned wiring with the help of connection diagrams must be allocated before the actual setup.
For setting up an EPABX, you must check all the lines carefully. Extensions should be numbered and documented for future references. This numbering is done based on the main distribution frame.
Extension phones should be allocated based on the user manual and according to the numbering. After configuration, the lines should be verified. Keeping a backup file for the EPABX systems is always helpful in future maintenance.
