{"id":42672,"date":"2020-11-20T09:36:52","date_gmt":"2020-11-20T09:36:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ringcentral.com\/blog\/?p=34880"},"modified":"2024-08-27T06:39:36","modified_gmt":"2024-08-27T13:39:36","slug":"10-ucaas-terms-you-need-to-know","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"\/us\/en\/blog\/10-ucaas-terms-you-need-to-know\/","title":{"rendered":"10 UCaaS terms you need to know"},"content":{"rendered":"

The communications world is loaded with acronyms and jargons, and while these can fly for IT veterans well-versed in the technology, they can also be confusing enough to make your head spin. To help everyone understand the nomenclature behind unified communications, we created an introductory list.<\/span><\/p>\n

Here are some of the most common UCaaS terms you\u2019ll want to know:<\/span><\/p>\n

1. VoIP<\/b><\/p>\n

VoIP, or voice over internet protocol, enables an organization to connect a phone service over the internet as opposed to over a traditional phone line. It affords organizations greater flexibility, because users can make calls on any internet-connected device, including a phone, computer, or app. This is a scalable solution for enterprises that need to make conference calls<\/a> with distributed employees or clients and can be more cost-effective than having to pay for both internet service and a phone plan separately.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

VoIP offers additional features like <\/span>voicemail to email<\/span><\/i>, which sends a recording of a voicemail directly to a user\u2019s inbox; <\/span>simultaneous ring<\/span><\/i>, which rings a user\u2019s desk phone and mobile phone; and <\/span>call logs<\/span><\/i> to give organizations a better understanding of how their system is used.<\/span><\/p>\n

2. PBX<\/b><\/p>\n

PBX stands for private branch exchange, which is a telephone network that provides organizations with local lines and a certain number of external phone lines, so organizations can communicate internally and externally with clients. A PBX uses different communication channels, including VoIP, ISDN, and analog.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

PBXs are available as \u201con-premises\u201d systems or \u201chosted software.\u201d An on-premises PBX means that an organization is responsible for the deployment and maintenance of the system. These organizations have a data hardware room and a dedicated IT infrastructure to manage the system. A hosted PBX system<\/a> is managed by a provider over the internet. An on-premises PBX is preferred for organizations that need control and customization abilities, while a hosted PBX is more affordable up front and easier to maintain.<\/span><\/p>\n