PABX versus PBX: What is the Main Difference between the Two?

PABX versus PBX: What is the Main Difference between the Two?

If you have little to no idea about what exactly a PABX system is, then you can think of it as an upgraded version of the PBX system. Both of these systems are considered to be more or less synonymous with each other.

As your business grows, you are likely to need more phones and communication systems to support your clients, suppliers, and teams. However, the costs of installing as well as maintaining all the extra lines can prove to be quite high. So, a viable and better alternative is to install a PABX (private automatic branch exchange) system. This particular system helps to have many lines of access using just a few connections to the public network.

Installing a PABX System

Before we get into details about the difference between a PABX system and PBX system, it is important to know what a PABX really is.

What is PABX?

PABX is considered a viable business solution for businesses or companies that require many lines for in-house as well as outside calls. PABX allows companies to utilize just a single access number that contains various extensions. This is a cheaper option as compared to using many landlines, which are all linked to the public network.

In a PABX system, every single device connected to or linked to the exchange has a designated extension number. Some of these devices can be computer modems, desk phones, and fax machines as well. A company or business that uses either PABX or PBX tends to act like a telephone exchange. PABX helps in automating the switching tasks that are needed to connect calls between extensions.

A PABX system is usually owned and run by the company that is hosting it. More and more call centers and large enterprises are inclining towards using PABX now due to all the benefits that it offers. Some of the common features associated with PABX include call conferencing, auto attendant, call transfer, and call hold.

Now that you have an idea of what PABX is, let’s take a look at the difference between PBX and PABX.

Difference between PABX and PBX:

A PBX, or Private Branch Exchange, is a telephone network owned and run within an organization or company. In conventional PBX systems, human operators were used to manage the switchboards used in telephone exchanges. These operators plus wires to close a call circuit with the help of their hands. This, consequently, establishes a connection between any two people using POTS (Plain Old Telephone Service).

On the other hand, PABX systems are known to use computers to automate the switching process. This is the only main difference between the two synonymous systems.

All in all, having a PABX system tends to give a company more control and flexibility over the communication processes of the organization. And it is considered a viable solution for internal collaboration.