shift*eight PBX
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Proprietary PBX
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Caller ID display a standard feature
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Caller ID display often an added feature with an associated cost
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No ongoing license fees for PBX modules that provide advanced features
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Usually high license fees for anything other than the basic features
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Extensions can be added at any time independently of the PBX company at no additional cost¹
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Extensions limited by the physical telephone infrastructure. Additional extensions typically have to be installed by the PBX company and have an associated cost
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On-hold music can be any audio file and can be changed independently of the PBX company at any time
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On-hold music is often archaic and limited and can only be changed with an associated cost by the PBX company
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PBX can be managed independently of the PBX company through a user-friendly graphical interface
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PBX is managed solely by the PBX company and any changes made to the initial PBX configuration typically carry an associated cost
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Integration with CRM applications possible through existing open source or customised software
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Not available
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Interactive voice response (IVR) is a built-in feature
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IVR usually requires the purchase of additional hardware that needs to be installed in the PBX
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Voicemail included as a built-in feature
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Costly additional hardware needs to be purchased for voicemail functionality
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3rd party conference calls included as a built-in feature
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3rd party conference calls require the purchase of additional dedicated devices
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Call recording included as a built-in feature by simply adding storage space
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Call recording requires additional equipment with associated costs
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Faxing capability supported with no requirement for additional hardware
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Faxing capability requires additional equipment with associated costs
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Custom and dynamic dial plans
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Dial plans are static and cannot be changed with ease
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Can be integrated to complement an existing PBX, providing additional features at lower costs than traditional PBXs
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Different PBXs (by their very nature) are incompatible with each other
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Uses existing data network cabling for all extensions
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Additional dedicated telecommunications cabling required for new extensions
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Public address feature is available with the addition of inexpensive hardware
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Public address system, if supported, requires additional hardware and software licensing
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