VoIP News: IP PBX

Businesses will soon have a broader range of options when choosing their VoIP provider, it has been revealed. US VoIP hardware provider snom has confirmed that three of its handsets are now compatible with Zultys private branch exchange platforms. This will allow snom users to opt for VoIP providers who operate on the Zulty's network – potentially boosting VoIP traffic.

IP PBX is the IP telephony solutions platform that European organisations are most likely to opt for, IDC has said. A recent survey by the IT market intelligence firm found that over 36 per cent of the companies polled had adopted IP PBX managed services. This was followed by broadband-based VoIP solutions and dedicated hosted telephony, according to the Evolution of IP Telephony in Western European Vertical Markets: An IDC Survey.

Hosted PBX is being adopted by enterprises to meet their VoIP needs because of the business-specific benefits it can offer, In-Stat has said. Business interest in IP PBX (Internet Protocol Private Branch Exchange) is revitalising an otherwise dormant telecommunication industry, according to Global Industry Analysts (GIA). A report from the business strategy and market intelligence source said that VoIP PBX appeals to businesses due to the innovation, costs savings and potential revenue generation it offers them.

According to the Dell'Oro group the total market for hosted PBX systems is going to exceed $6 billion (£3. 67) by 2014. However, growth is likely to be even higher than this, as hosted PBX is now sometimes classed within the unified communications market, which is going through major growth at the moment.

A telecoms company has highlighted the benefits VoIP PBX can bring to small businesses across the UK. Telephony firm voxclever has highlighted the fact that consumer-grade VoIP providers, such as Skype, have helped to drive the uptake of VoIP over the past few years, but have failed to cater fully to the needs of the business environment. The key idea is that with a business-specific VoIP carrier, needs such as a private branch exchange (PBX) are catered for, allowing for greater flexibility and reliability in the organisation's communications infrastructure.