PBX integration is an important advancement in telephone technology, because it allows businesses, big and small, to integrate all their communications into one system. A plethora of technologies that are now able to integrate with modern PBX systems, including everything from Bluetooth and GPS systems to iPod's and HGTV.

There are varying degrees of PBX integration to choose from, depending on your organizational requirements. Hybrid IP/traditional systems offer limited integration for PDA and wireless devices but allow you to retain your phones. Proprietary IP PBX systems also offer limited integration for PDA and wireless devices, but allow you to stay current with technology. Session Initiated Protocol (SIP) systems offer full integration of the whole range of communication and information management technologies. To find PBX integration provider companies who have the system you need, follow this blueprint:

1. Get a hybrid PBX integration system and retain your phones.

2. Opt for an IP PBX integration.

3. Obtain maximum PBX integration by installing a SIP PBX system.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Buy a hybrid PBX integration system

Hybrid IP/PBX systems allow you to reuse existing phones and also support remote phones while integrating PDA and wireless devices with your phone system. In addition, older, more traditional vendors are better equipped to support these systems. However, with hobrid PBX systems, you're dealing with a mix of new and old technologies which require a conversion between TDM and VOIP and which limits the projected lifespan of the system.

I recommend: Polycom's exclusive LinkPlus technology provides digital interfaces to legacy PBX platforms by emulating proprietary digital telephone sets. Their system supports and integrates more than 14 different system types across the industry, like Analog and Avaya. Convergence Systems carries the Mitel 3300 hybrid PBX system.

Get a proprietary IP PBX integration system

An IP PBX system will be easy to expand later. They are also easy to maintain. They are flexible and link with computer applications. They are more of a hedge against future incompatibility and they are proven, having been widely employed since 1999. On the downside, IP PBX systems are not as well understood as older systems and they are typically more expensive. Moreover, they're proprietary with fewer vendors supporting them and they might not migrate to SIP PBX integration later. That could be a concern because SIP is the emerging technology for PBX integration.

I recommend: Cisco sells the Cisco Unified Communications Mgr, which lets you personalize your ring tone and pick up your calls from across the office. 3COM has the full-featured NBX V3000 system, with a PBX integration list that includes everything from voice mail and auto-attendant to ACD and CTI.

Maximize system synergy with a SIP PBX integration system

SIP PBX systems are a great way to go because it's not proprietary and they provide you more choices of phones. They're also designed to utilize inexpensive Microsoft software. Realize though that the technology is still evolving with fewer resellers marketing SIP PBX integration than other technologies. It's still in a process of 'catching up' on features.

I recommend: Fonality has the PBXtra system, which gives unlimited users and extensions and provides an affordable system even for small businesses. Allworx carries the Vertical SBX IP320 system with a long list of useful features.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  You might hear PBX integration information to the effect that SIP is unproven or has poor quality, but this not true and is fear mongering from traditional PBX providers.