PX24 Family: Design Principles

A Completely Integrated Hybrid IP PBX Design

Shall an IP-enabled PBX, which is based on a traditional circuit-switched PBX design with additional media gateway boards used to support IP endpoints be a total and final solution for small to large size enterprises? Perhaps not for all.  

Enterprises may like to migrate to IP PBX systems with keeping benefits of the traditional TDM interfaces. They may also expect their new IP endpoints not to be complicated. They may prefer these looking like their traditional TDM users.

Consequently, we have designed our PX24 Hybrid IP PBX Business Phone Systems as very integrated systems. They are capable of interworking between all its IP and TDM users. Each variant of incoming and outgoing calls associated with a TDM signaling or IP protocol generates and receives telephony events within the core operating software Xymphony of the PX24. A complete, fully integrated, and a single software avoids the conflicts of distributed software packs and control units. In addition, the telephony task co-ordination is handled reliably. Many TDM user services are also valid for IP endpoints. Consequently, enterprises are in comfort of both VoIP and traditional services.

Thanks to the interworking capabilities within the PX24 systems, both H.323 and SIP protocols coexist on the same system too. SIP and H.323 calls may originate and terminate in the same system. PX24 systems allow calls from SIP based devices to be routed to H.323 based devices and vice versa. Thus, even small to medium business may have the ability to use both protocols in the same network.

 

 

 

Minimalist Approach in IP PBX Design, But 

`Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.` 

 `La perfection est atteinte non quand il ne reste rien à ajouter, mais quand il ne reste rien à enlever`  

 Antoine de Saint-Exupery

 French writer (1900 - 1944)

Architects, graphic designers, authors, many other artists and designers have employed this minimalist approach to succeed. An architect may aim to design a house with the smallest size and investment but with all the comfort inside. Is it easy? Definitely not. Sure! the perfection is not easy to achieve.

Being a very specific, is such a minimalist approach the right way to succeed in designing an IP PBX? Yes, but be aware that: 

  • Product quality means more for VoIP services. This being the case, the product should be minimalist in terms of investment and size but it should be Robust, Reliable and Stable too.
  • The product should fit the expectations of enterprises now and in the future. In minimalism, keeping hardware and firmware capabilities limited will definitely cause dissatisfaction in time.
  • Efficiency of the operational firmware is very important. An efficient firmware will definitely need less memory space, less MIPS, less hardware. The result will be less investment and size.

If designers believe in their experience (especially for the firmware development) that a Robust, Reliable, and Stable IP PBX with flexible hardware and firmware features can be designed in small size with small investment then the minimalist approach is the right way to start.  

We have done it. Consequently, PX24 Hybrid IP PBX Business Phone Systems employ a control and switching unit with a size of only 8x10cm. 

  

Combining Advantages of Both Proprietary and Open-source Systems in IP PBX Design

Open-source IP PBX suppliers claim that costs of their systems are less than similar proprietary IP PBXs. They also say that an open-source IP PBX has manufacturer independent peripherals, and customers are not restricted to only using peripherals and software provided by the manufacturer.  

On the other hand, proprietary system suppliers claim that their systems are more robust, stable, and field-proven. Technical support behind their systems is powerful. They also say that their systems keep the benefits of the traditional interfaces and services. 

In fact, both sides may have further claims. We respect all of these claims. Both sides are correct in their perspectives. Both open-source and proprietary systems may have advantages. When designing the PX24 Hybrid IP PBX Business Phone Systems, we have studied and analyzed all these advantages. 

So, many technological and commercial factors have influenced the design and optimization of the PX24 systems, and our marketing strategy. Consequently, we have added many features and services in PX24 systems without any extra cost.  

Furthermore, we continuously add new features into the operating systems of PX24 systems. We distribute new firmware releases free of charge. We provide freeware utilities like XPort and XCom. We also provide the details of some communication protocols for software developers. Consequently, software enthusiasts and developers may develop their own: 

  • API clients (like PC consoles)
  • CMDR reporting utilities
  • PMS (property management system) Front Desk utilities
  • Archiving and reporting utilities for automatic conversation records 
  • External call processing servers for:
    • automatic voice response to customers, which are listed in a database
    • pre-paid telephony
    • black lists (blocking customers, which are listed in a database)
    • forwarding customers, which are listed in a database, to right representatives or service groups

The PX24 Hybrid IP PBX Business Phone Systems are equipped with various TDM interfaces. The analog subscribers are driven by the standard 48Volt. So, any standard analog telephone with or without Caller ID, may be connected. Caller ID encoders and decoders are also standard in PX24 systems. The manufacturer independent terminal equipment types for PX24 systems are:  

  • Standard analog phones
  • Standard analog phones with Caller ID
  • Euro ISDN phones
  • SIP hard and softphones (wired or wi-fi)
  • H.323 hard and softphones (wired or wi-fi)
  • GAP DECT phones

Summary

PX24 Hybrid IP PBX Business Phone Systems are: 

  • Integrated systems
  • Robust, reliable, and stable systems
  • Without hardware and software limitations
  • Small-size systems
  • Proprietary systems but also with the advantages of open-source systems