Phone System Jargon Cheat Sheet

 Phone System Jargon Cheat Sheet

When choosing a phone system for your business it’s easy to get bogged down by the different types of phone systems and all the jargon. 

If you are looking for the most versatile phone system for your business, a cloud-based phone system is the best choice for you. A cloud-based phone system requires no hardware and can be used on any device, anywhere you have an internet connection. But even if this type of system is not the right phone system for your business, we’ve compiled a list of the most common terms used when looking for the best business phone system. 

Cloud-Based Phone System: A phone system that allows you to make calls using an internet connect, rather than hardware. This type of system can be used on any device and is monitored by the service provider. This system creates unified communications. 

VoIP Phone System (Voice over Internet Protocol): This is similar to a cloud-based phone system, but the difference is that cloud-based systems highlight the means of communication. 

PBX Phone System (Private Branch Exchange): An in-house system that can hold multiple phones on one line. This can be used for internal and external communications. With this type of phone system, you will need to purchase the system and then install it on the business premises. It can also only be operated on the premises. 

POTS Phone System (plain old telephone service): analog voice transmission over copper wires. This type of phone system has different lines for each phone and is very similar to a traditional landline phone. For this system, the hardware has to be housing on-site and used on-site. 

Data Center: a facility that holds an organization’s IT infrastructure and equipment. This can be on-site or at a remote facility.

Modular System: a phone system that is on a “pay for what you need” basis.

Copper Wiring: These are the phone lines used to transmit sound from phone to phone. These are only used in phone systems that are housed on-site. Copper wiring also requires installation.

Programmable Switching Device: The most advanced technology for switching from one phone line to another.