Frequently Asked Questions

What is VoIP?

VoIP stands for Voice over Internet Protocol. Unlike traditional telephone systems that make use of copper analogue cables, VoIP makes use of your existing Office internet connection to connect with our telecom servers. 

How can VoIP benefit my business?

Ever had your secretary take sick leave or go on maternity?
What about only having that one incoming line?
What happens when your business closes for the festive season?
Who manages your calls then?

With VoIP, you will have a virtual receptionist that can manage unlimited incoming calls, record Voicemails and email them to you, as well as inform your clients when you are closed or should they call your business outside of regular trading hours.

Why choose 3CX as your business phone system?

Low Pricing: 3CX offers flat rate annual pricing. When compared to monthly plans that charge per user, this can save businesses up to 80% on monthly phone costs.
Flexible Licensing: Pricing is also based on simultaneous calls. If a business has 50 users, most phone system providers charge for all 50 lines. Even if they use only 10 lines at a time.
Complete communication system: 3CX offers video conferencing and live chat included in the cost. It also integrates with the most common CRMs, WhatsApp and instant messaging.
Flexibility: With 3CX, businesses choose their own SIP trunk and VoIP phones. Since 3CX is an open platform, it integrates with most common service providers and hardware. This means savings on hardware, toll-free numbers, long-distance calling and more.
Mobility: 3CX offers full-featured apps for web browsers as well as iOS and Android devices.
Easy Scalability: As a business grows, 3CX’s software scales easily. Flexible licensing likewise makes it easy to increase, or reduce, phone service.

What is an Auto-Attendant?

Auto-attendant (automated attendant system), or virtual receptionist, is a term commonly used in telephony to describe a voice menu system. It is a popular feature among business phone systems and call center solutions.

Equipping your phone system with an auto-attendant is both cost-effective and customer friendly. It replaces a human operator by automating and simplifying the incoming call procedure and directing incoming callers to the correct employee or department. It can also assist with incoming calls outside of normal business hours when a live operator is unavailable.

What is a voicemail system?

A voicemail system is a centralized system used in businesses for sending, storing and retrieving audio messages, just like an answering machine would do at home. Voicemail systems make a phone system more flexible and powerful by allowing information and messages to pass between users even when one of them is not present.

What is voicemail to email?

Voicemail to email, is a useful, time saving feature included in leading VoIP Communication systems that allows you to deliver voicemails left to your office extension directly to your email address. In today's busy corporate world, it can help you keep on top of your workload and time sensitive messages. In a nutshell, voicemail to email ensures you never forget to check your voicemails again, by bringing voice messages to a platform that's always being checked- your email inbox!

What is a Hosted PBX?

A hosted PBX is a private branch exchange (PBX) delivered as a hosted service. It’s also known as a virtual PBX and the advantages that companies experience are the elimination of installation, operation, and maintenance costs of their VoIP PBX. This is because their VoIP service provider hosts their PBX for them.

A hosted PBX still allows companies to utilize and take complete advantage of their phone system’s features such as voicemail, faxing, automated greetings, conferences, and so on. Companies that offer hosted PBX as a service to their customers handle the call routing or switching as well as all maintenance involved in the hosted PBX service.

Key benefits of hosted PBX solutions

Lower cost to set up – As the phone system is virtual, the initial investment is minimal as there is no need for the costly phone hardware and installation that a traditional PBX requires. And you will be saving on valuable space since everything is in the cloud! All you need to factor in, is the cost of the software and the hosting provider. In many cases you can also use existing telephone hardware - no need for special expensive equipment.
Elimination of maintenance costs – Since there’s no end-user management involved with a virtual PBX, it’s easier to manage than a traditional phone system. Call settings and changes can be deployed company wide in a flash. Other features like call forwarding, caller ID and voicemail are as easy to maintain as toggling a setting on or off. With a hosted phone system, there is no need to hire someone in-house to manage and maintain it. What’s more you’re off the hook with regards to costs should there be a fault.
User-friendly – For end-users, a virtual PBX is conveniently simple to use and manage. There’s no need for any training or specialized skills so you can start using your new business phone system right away. It’s also easy for employees to log in and easily route their phone number to a new device.
Unbeatable mobility - With a hosted PBX system, employees can work from anywhere while still keeping their office phone number and extension. All they need is an internet connection to connect via a web browser. Some hosted phone systems like 3CX also offer free mobile apps to take and receive phone calls on their mobile phone. Ideal for home-workers and salespeople who are constantly on the move.
Scalability & the global potential – With a virtual phone system businesses can add or remove lines and extensions as they grow. This requires minimal work and depending on the provider, little to no additional costs. Multiple offices can be connected by the same system eliminating inter-office call charges.
Secure communication – Forget about problems with wiring and downed telephone lines. A hosted model delivers reliability since PBX updates and new functionality are included without delay. Disaster recovery is also fast and seamless.
Advanced Unified Communications – Make use of advanced additional features such as an auto attendant, presence, advanced call routing and call recording. Not only used for inbound and outbound calls - keep collaborating with instant messaging, live chat, video conferencing, WhatsApp integration, SMS. A good hosted phone system will deliver all this and more.
Boost the corporate image – Small businesses need not seem unprofessional or skimp on customer service. By using a hosted phone system, and the professional PBX features that come with it, they can give the impression of being a much larger organization.

What internet connection do I need for my new VoIP system?

The good news is that VoIP will pretty much work over your current internet connection, mitigating the need to upgrade your internet service. 

What savings can I expect from a new VoIP system?

This depends on what services you are currently paying for with your current provider. You can expect to save in areas like call costs, line rentals, etc. On average, you could realistically achieve savings in the region of 45% to 75% of your current telecom bill. Simply provide the sales consultant with the latest copy of your telecom bill and they will provide you with comparative analysis at no charge to you.

What technical support can I expect?

We have a dedicated technical support team that is reachable telephonically Monday to Friday from 8am to 5pm or via our email ticket support 24/7/365. All remote and onsite assistance is at no charge. You only pay for a flat monthly fee. No additional charge will be added.

Can I keep my current business telephone number?

Absolutely! All we need is a copy of your current telephone bill, signed and dated.  The great thing about VoIP is that you retain your number no matter where you move your premises to.