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Product Information
What is PBX?
PBX stands for Private Branch eXchange. A PBX is a machine that handles and organizes telephone calls for you. Its main functions are to transfer calls to different individual phones, to play music when somebody is put on hold, to play automatic voice responses when a call is received, to provide an options menu for the caller and many more according to your configuration. A PBX machine and integrated system is very expensive to buy, install and run. Typical costs for a package can range from £5,000 to £15,000, depending on the size of the network required, plus a yearly maintenance contract ranging from £500 to £8000 per year.
What is Internet Telephony?
Any means of transmitting the human voice (real-time or near real-time) over the Internet is called Internet Telephony. Imagine your voice being converted into bits of information and sent to your listener in sets or packets, just as any form of information in the internet. It is a fast, economical, and dependable technology that allows many innovations in communication technology like video conferencing, web chats, etc.
Several components of Internet Telephony
On the client side, a multimedia-equipped PC with special client software will digitize your voice. This can be done with a voice modem or other voice encoding method.
A direct or dial-up connection to the Internet allows your voice to be transmitted in packet form to its destination;
Connection with the far side is achieved by IP address search, common servers or beacons to identify the called party (and to “ring” that person’s phone);
A similar arrangement on the far end completes the call and allows both parties to speak. There are also PSTN/Internet gateways that allow regular telephone callers to make phone-to-Internet-to-phone connections. There are PC-to-phone connections and phone-to-PC connections.
What is Asterisk?
Asterisk is a type of Open Source Application that is responsible for all features and functionalities that your Asterisk Compatible Cards execute. Asterisk application usually runs on Linux servers. And since it is open source, it is free for everyone. On the other hand, Asterisk setup requires technical expertise and diligence.
What are Asterisk Compatible Cards?
Asterisk Compatible Cards are PCI cards that implements the entire configuration coded in your installed Asterisk. Asterisk Compatible Cards may be in the form of Digital or Analog cards that is why they are sometimes called Analog and Digital Network Interface Cards or Analog and Digital Telephony Cards. Since they are PCI cards, they can be easily plugged in your server PCI slot. Some of the most common features of Asterisk that these cards implement are Call Transfer, Caller Identification, On-Hold Music, and many more.
How does Internet Telephony help my business?
Internet Telephony gives you the flexibility of setting up a virtual telephone unit on your desktop. By adding IP cards in your computer unit, you combine the speed and flexibility of the internet with the personal approach of a telephone call.
Imagine yourself doing business meetings via web-cast, or doing multi-link video conferences through your computer. This is best when your business deals with providing real-time phone support or managing sales and deliverables. It also eliminates the need for conventional telephone units or added peripherals used in Private Branch eXchanges/ PBX systems.
