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Document ID: 041025080218
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What Kind of Phone System Do I Have? |
Category(ies): Equipment/Hardware;
FAQ
Last Updated: 1/27/2006
Situation:
You aren't sure what kind of telephone system your business is using.
Article:
For telephony purposes, there are essentially three kinds of phone systems:
- PBX/KSU systems (this would also include most VoIP/server and analog/digital 'hybrid" systems);
- "Virtual" PBX services that function much like a traditional PBX, but are hosted by an outside service provider;
- conventional, analog phones or phone systems
It is important to know what kind of system you have, in order to determine what kind of Message On Hold system is compatible with it.
Our Product Wizard will then help you determine which type of Message On Hold equipment you need. Try the Product Wizard by clicking the following link:
 Product Wizard
How Can I Tell What Kind of Phone System I Have?
You most likely have a PBX, KSU, or equivalent system if:
- You have ever had audio-on-hold (messages or music) working on this system in the past.
- You need to dial "9" or some other number(s) to get an outside line.
- Your offices have extension numbers, and can make calls between extensions by dialing a three or four digit number.
- You have a centralized box that controls the functions of your phones.
- You purchased your phone system from a phone vendor who came out to install the system.
- You have a voice mail system or automated attendant.
You most likely have conventional single or multi-line phones if:
- You have buttons for "line 1" and/or "line 2" that you must push to gain access to a dial tone.
- Your phones were purchased at an office superstore or electronics retailer.
- You have one of those new, expandable "multi-cordless" systems with a corded base unit.
- You do not have a centralized box that controls the functions of your phones.
What is a PBX?
PBX is short for Private Branch Exchange. In phone terms, an "exchange" is a group of telephones (anywhere from two to several hundred, or even thousands) that are set up to communicate with each other easily. You may recall that up until the 80s, in many areas, you could call a neighbor by dialing only three or four numbers. This was because both phones were part of the same public exchange.
Many businesses make use of "private" exchanges that work very much the same way. A private exchange set up by a business allows members to call each other by dialing only three or four numbers, without having to use the public telephone network (PSTN). It also allows calls to be transferred among phones easily. If a private exchange has a voicemail system, it usually allows messages to be forwarded back and forth to other exchange members.
A PBX has a piece of hardware called a KSU, or Key System Unit, sometimes just called a KEY. The KSU is usually housed in a box or case into which all the telephones in the private exchange are connected. Unlike with conventional phones, in which all of the features are contained in each phone, a KSU provides the functionality that makes the phones in the PBX work. It provides the "internal" (private) dial tone that lets users make calls to other phones in the private exchange. It also provides the very important function of "branching" to the PSTN. This allows calls to be made from the PBX to the outside world, and for calls from outside to access the PBX.
A KSU also provides other features, such as accepting an input from an external Message On Hold player and automatically playing the current message to any call placed on hold. Because the KSU handles all of this automatically, the Message On Hold hardware required is usually much simpler and less expensive.
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