Rating of the best mini PBXs for 2020

Nowadays, control over telephone lines is necessary for the smooth operation of office workers. Requires management of internal outgoing and incoming calls. For these purposes, you can purchase a mini automatic telephone exchange.

Mini PBX, what is it

This device is an office telephone exchange. Without it, you will have to connect a separate wire to each device. At the same time, the organization will need to pay for a large number of individual numbers monthly. Buying a mini PBX solves these problems. With its help, you can provide good communication for all employees by connecting only 1-2 external lines to the building.

The PBX will save the organization an impressive amount of money as internal calls will become free. This product is installed very quickly. The connection time between operators is short because of the short-character numbering. Each company can customize this device to suit their needs and requirements. The existing city lines can be divided between employees (some make calls to the city, others talk on internal lines). The unit has a voice menu and other settings.

The main purpose of mini-PBX

This device is designed to perform the following functions:

1. Call forwarding. This function is the most popular regardless of the type of business of the company. It is designed to forward incoming calls to a fax or a specific employee of the enterprise. To do this, the person who picks up the phone dials the desired extension number and hangs up the phone. The outside caller will hear certain music first. Then a connection is established with the internal destination. If the employee is absent for some reason, the call will be redirected to the old number.
2. Call interception. If the employee is at another workplace, and at this time his phone rang, the mini PBX will help answer the call. It is possible to do this even during the movement of an employee through the building, from office to office. To do this, you need to pick up the phone on any unit and dial a certain digital sequence. The call will be forwarded to this phone.
3. You can receive a call when the agent is busy. If an employee is talking on the phone and there is a parallel call, a special dial tone is heard in his telephone receiver. By typing the desired sequence of numbers, you can switch to a new subscriber and talk to him.
4. Connection order. If an employee cannot establish a connection with the company's landline telephone, a special code must be entered. The mini PBX will notify that the required line is free and will make a connection.
5. "Follow me". This option makes it possible to divert a call to any internal subscriber located in the building. Therefore, the employee may not be at the workplace, but receive work calls.
6. Conference call. With this option, during a conversation between two people, several more can be connected to them for the conversation. Both internal and external subscribers can participate in such a conference.
7. Join the conversation. With this option, the director can connect to a conversation with a subordinate at any time, even if at the moment the employee is talking on the phone. Only a person with a certain status has the right to join the conversation. Connection to a subscriber is accompanied by a special signal. Corresponding beeps and priority levels are configured during the installation of the PBX.

Additional functions

Mini ATS, in addition to basic functions, has additional options. They are useful at certain points in the work. Below are examples of some of them.

If the person working on the main line is busy (talking), an incoming call can be queued. An external operator will hear a voice message that you can do yourself, depending on the specifics of the work. This can be not only a simple request to stay on the line, but also a message of certain content.

In order to relieve the work of the secretary, external users are given the opportunity to independently call the internal number of a specific department or specialist of the company.

The mini PBX is equipped with speech processors, which makes it possible for each internal employee to use an answering machine. A voice message allows you to process incoming information without human intervention.

Each employee can be given a personal code for making long distance and international calls. Thus, the manager will know which of the employees made calls outside the city network. If the employee does not have a special code, then he will not be able to use the toll line.

Varieties of PBX

Office telephone exchanges with the use of such equipment allow making as many telephone calls as possible between networks in cases where the price per call is less than usual.

Analog mini PBX

Analogue machines should be used in cases where the number of users within the network does not exceed 50, and high functional performance is not required from the PBX.

The devices convert speech into a pulse or continuous electrical signal with varying amplitude. At the moment, analog miniature devices are able to simultaneously serve up to 46 ports.

The main positive factor of such equipment is a low price indicator when compared with digital PBXs, while the capacity is the same. The downside of such systems is the modest number of functions provided for the service.

Digital mini-PBX

Digital automatic telephone exchanges accept more than fifty ports for service at once. Such installations convert speech streams into binary pulses using the method of pulse code modulation. Digital installations are more expensive when compared to analog competitors. But the functionality of digital devices is incomparably greater. Also, such equipment is much more convenient and easy to install.

Wireless mini-PBX

Wireless devices used in the office do not require a wired connection and establish a mobile connection for employees. If such a system is used, then all employees must have special radiotelephones available for movement throughout the enterprise. An important advantage over cellular communication is the free use.

The capacitive characteristics of such automatic telephone exchanges are increased without any trouble. To use this type of communication, there is no need for permission documents. Radiotelephones, unlike wired analogs, are not subject to eavesdropping. At the same time, they have high quality and clear sound.

Virtual PBX

This type of device can be considered a product of the most modern technology.The virtual autonomous station is located on the server of the Internet provider, does not need to purchase additional equipment and is built into the network already laid in the offices.

Using such a network, cash costs are reduced to a minimum. And if necessary, the capacity of this mini-station can be increased in a very short time.

If suddenly the office was forced to move, there is no need to replace the current phone numbers and call the masters to install and connect a virtual PBX - all control functions are transmitted via the Internet.

Mini-PBX using GSM

GSM PBX is intended for organizing telephone communication in places where it is impossible to lay other types of lines, but the signal of any mobile operator is available.

The GSM gateway increases the number of external lines, as well as reduces office costs for mobile communications. You can install this type of stand-alone telephone exchange anywhere your network of IP addresses covers.

Management, programming and setting

The advantage of a mini-PBX is that you can carry out full administration or change settings, both from a system phone and using a computer.

The easiest way is to program the PBX using a proprietary telephone. First, no additional hardware is needed. In addition, in any case, the office already has one telephone connected to the system (supplied with a mini-automatic telephone exchange). Secondly, setting up from the phone takes much less time.

First of all, the device is connected to the system port, then the “Program” mode is selected. And only then the basic parameters are selected on the numeric keypad (short extension number, subscriber's name). When requesting a password, the numbers 1,2,3,4 are typed on the keyboard. After that, you need to distribute the incoming / outgoing communication. Otherwise, with any phone call, all phones in the office will ring.

Attention: depending on the type of PBX, the algorithm of actions may vary. Some PBXs cannot be set up on their own. Since in modern models, for example, Panasonic NSP and TDE series, access to programming is possible only after entering a login and password, which is issued only to certified specialists.

Among the disadvantages is the inability to work remotely. Therefore, setting up system telephones is only possible on the customer's premises.

A complete initial configuration is easier to accomplish from a computer. For example, if you need to perform a lot of operations (distribution of incoming / outgoing communications). You can use the KX-TE Maintenance Console to do this. The settings are grouped in thematic tabs. It won't take long to find the right ones.

The PBX is connected to a computer or laptop via USB. It is also possible to work remotely. But you will need to install software on your computer (the disc is supplied with the equipment set).
The advantage of setting via a PC is that all original configuration parameters can be saved. And in the case of a reset (on shutdown, PBX failure), quickly restore.

Setting up via a modem is a rather complicated method that was used 10 years ago, and it certainly will require certain knowledge from the user. Typically, this method is used at remote sites that are not equipped with a PC, where there is a telephone line, and the Internet connection is unstable or not at all.

Mini PBX - top of the best

Telephone devices today come in several varieties. Office mini automatic telephone exchanges are offered by many well-known manufacturers of digital office equipment: Samsung, LG, Panasonic, Siemens. Mini-devices can be of different types: digital, analog, hybrid. The rating of the best includes both standard automatic telephone exchanges and compact modern stations.

Panasonic KX-TEB308

The latest KX-TEB308 series analog devices from a well-known manufacturer provide high-quality communication within a small enterprise. Automation allows for high-quality and efficient processing of all calls with their routing. All expenses for organizing communication work are subject to accounting.The latest generation of analog telephone exchange has successfully replaced the older KX-T206 series models. These mini-stations are fully compatible with analog types of office equipment.

Panasonic KX-TEB308 belongs to the entry-level hybrid analogue stations. It is distinguished by the impossibility of changing the configuration and the absence of any extensions. It has the same standard volume of telephone lines: only 3 city lines and up to eight internal lines. A maximum of 4 system telephones can be connected to it. Such volumes are often used in private households, and if in an enterprise, then very small.

• work can be programmed from various devices: PC, modem installation, system telephone;
• all users can use the subscriber identification function;
• several operating modes of the station are available;
• presence of voice mail;
• the conference function has two external lines.

• not found.

Panasonic KX-TES824 / KX-TEM824

Modern models have the possibility of additional expansion and installation of two additional cards for connecting extension lines, city and internal. The maximum capacity is 8 external numbers and 24 internal numbers.

The capacity of the new mini-stations from Panasonic differs from one another, but their functionality is similar. All PBXs of this manufacturer are compatible with Panasonic system models and analog equipment used in offices - faxes, telephones, modems. There are "hybrid ports" for connecting extensions. There is a possibility of parallel connection of a cordless DECT telephone.

The KX-TES824 model is considered basic, has a simple name "S-ka", allows to connect trunk lines through three ports, there are 8 hybrid ports for internal lines. To expand the capacity of the mini-station to its maximum size, two empty slots are available.

Panasonic KX-TEM824, "M-ka", fully coincides in functions with "S-ka", but it already has a card for additional connection of city and hybrid extensions. Its capacity, therefore, is 6/16 as standard, and when the KX-TE82480x is connected, its capacity becomes maximum, increasing to 8/24. This card, identified by the letter L, can add 8 non-hybrid lines for connecting non-proprietary telephones.

These models are used to provide communications for offices and small businesses. It is possible to create an internal telephone network with a further prospect of expansion.

• increase of connected external lines to the station up to eight instead of the planned six;
• use for computer programming, telephones, modem devices;
• availability of the caller ID function in FSK / DTMF format to all internal subscribers;
• presence of voice mail;
• the presence of one OGM channel and built-in DISA function.

• not detected.

Ericsson-LG Aria Soho

Over the past few years, an innovative development from LG Ericsson-LG Aria Soho has won the hearts of consumers and has become one of the recognized leaders in sales. This station works fine on a typical telephone line.

The station has a high quality cable for connection. After connecting it to the corresponding port, you will need to enter your password and proceed with further settings according to the detailed instructions available.

Compared to similar products, this telephone exchange has wider characteristics. In the factory configuration, the station can work with eight subscribers simultaneously and three external lines. The modular structure will allow you to easily expand the possibilities and will make it possible to connect up to 48 subscribers of internal lines and up to 12 external ones. Essential features like comfortable handling of outgoing and incoming calls, instant forwarding make this station really reliable to use.

• there is a function of filtering and barring incoming calls;
• the ability to conference calls with 15 both internal and external subscribers;
• built-in automatic secretary and the ability to notify subscribers about the event;
• can connect to faxes, intercoms and any other external devices;
• analyzes traffic.

• not.

Ericsson-LG IPECS-300

This system is capable of serving up to 300 internal subscribers and up to 200 from external lines without loss of quality. The built-in control module has its own iPECS protocol, which makes it economical to use all the resources of this mini-PBX.

The digital station has 6 channels for the voice mail function, which can record for 230 minutes. Capacious memory - up to 6,000 subscriber numbers. The device is equipped with other characteristics:

• there are connectors for connecting external devices and blocks;
• there is a possibility to combine with several stations;
• several phones can be connected;
• Supports Wi-Fi.

• spacious memory;
• retention of long-term communication.

• not found.

Siemens HiPath 3000

This modern communication system is perfect for small and medium-sized organizations. There is access to city telephone lines with connection to various telecom operators. The station can work with Internet providers. The device effectively supports IP telephony with integrated switches. The phones can each be connected with one cable to the LAN system. The WLAN base station will provide transmission of voice communications and system applications.

HiPath Xpressions will enable voicemail and multimedia exchange within a large organization. The various feature sets are highly adaptable to any user.

A multitude of applications, an internal network error control system, a kind of cellular communication, the ability to integrate with third-party manufacturers of similar products increase the efficiency of business processes and improve overall productivity.

• the possibility of using for medium-sized businesses, including hotels;
• advanced functions compared to similar products on the market;
• wide variety of server capabilities.

• not found.

Samsung OfficeServ

The system combines the solutions of a miniature telephone exchange, a router for connecting to the Internet and a wireless access point to the network. It is possible to connect to an external line through two independent communication nodes. There is a standard port for Internet access. Support for the Wi-Fi function allows you to effectively build local networks and connect to the global Internet. OfficeServ SOHO has not only completely standard PBX solutions for any office, but also expands its capabilities due to the possibility of servicing up to 8 Wi-Fi devices.

Samsung devices are popular in the telecommunications market due to the combination of build quality and technical capabilities of stations. Easy and intuitive operation, innovative solutions and almost limitless possibilities of compatibility with many devices add advantages to products from Samsung. Built-in capabilities to support WLAN, Wi-Fi IP telephony make Samsung devices one of the best-selling devices in recent years.

• adaptation to Russian networks and an extremely small number of failures are explained by the exceptional technical reliability of the Samsung station;
• the ability to provide different types of communication for small and medium-sized businesses;
• simple operation and installation of stations;
• you can reduce the cost of paying for calls by connecting the company's offices into one numbering plan;
• work and service of remote subscribers.

• not found.

Telephone exchanges for offices are reliable systems for ensuring high-quality communication between external and internal subscribers. These devices distribute the load on the lines so that they all work normally, without overloads. Incoming and outgoing calls, forwarding services to other numbers, work in standby mode - all these basic functions meet the needs of modern business.When choosing compact telephone devices for your office, take into account the intensity and load of telephone communication centers, the choice of model and installation features depend on this.