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Private branch exchange (PBX) and cloud-based PBX systems

Handle all your organization’s internal and external calls by establishing a PBX business phone system.
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What is a PBX?

A PBX is a private telephone network within a company that manages internal and external business communication, allowing employees to use extensions and share a limited number of external lines for outside calls.

A PBX system enables features like call transfers, voicemail, call queues, and conferencing, helping streamline communication and improve employee productivity.

How PBX systems work with Microsoft Teams

Traditional PBX phone systems are on-premises, meaning all hardware and software are owned and maintained by the company at its own location. Modern business phone systems are now increasingly migrating to cloud-based PBX solutions, which offer more advanced features, lower maintenance, and often reduced costs compared to traditional systems.

On-premises or cloud-based PBX

Choose on-premises or in the cloud for PBX and connect through a phone company or internet provider.

PBX capabilities with Teams

Get PBX capabilities without expensive equipment using Phone System in the cloud with Microsoft Teams.

Standard PBX features

Make, receive, and transfer calls. Enable auto attendant, call queue, voicemail, and music on hold.

Advanced PBX features

Take advantage of cloud‑based call routing, live transcription, and intelligent recap.

Key features and benefits of cloud-based virtual PBX

Modernize your business communication with a cloud-hosted PBX system. Unlike traditional analog setups, modern PBX solutions use the internet and tools like Microsoft Teams to deliver clearer audio, advanced call routing, and seamless integration with existing workflows.

These systems allow your business to enable more capabilities, reduce costs, and scale more easily.
 
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Scalability

Easily scale up or down as your business grows and changes.

Stay connected anywhere

Support a remote workforce by giving teammates the ability to place and receive calls from any workplace, on any device, with a single business phone number.

Integrate calls seamlessly

Use one app for calling, chat, and meetings. Start a call from chat, contact card, and Outlook.

Deliver modern features

Use enterprise cloud calling features like auto attendant, voicemail, call queues, conferencing, captions, and transcription.

Save time

Get more done since calls average one-fourth the length of a typical meeting.

Reduce costs

Save on hardware purchases and training by managing phone systems in the cloud and reduce IT overhead.

Streamline setup and management

Manage phone systems more efficiently with a web-based interface. Easily add phone numbers, resolve issues, and manage your system from an integrated admin console.

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Frequently asked questions

  • Private Branch Exchanges are phone systems—private telephone networks—used in companies and organizations. They offer key capabilities and features for a business to operate. These often include auto attendant, contact center integration, voicemail, call queues, conferencing, and routing.
  • The two main types of PBX systems are: 
     
    • Traditional on‑premises
                         o    Physical hardware installed at the business location
                         o    Higher upfront cost and ongoing maintenance
                         o    Limited flexibility for remote work
                         o    Requires IT expertise to manage and scale

     
    • Cloud-based
                         o    Runs over the internet with no on‑site hardware
                         o    Lower cost with subscription-based pricing
                         o    Easily supports remote and mobile workers
                         o    Scales quickly and is maintained by the provider