What is an on-premise phone system?

An on-premise phone system, also known as a premises-based phone system, is a communication solution where the necessary hardware, such as servers and infrastructure, are physically located within an organisation’s premises.

Used by businesses to manage internal and external calls, voicemails, call routing, and other standard phone services, on-premise phone systems rely on traditional analogue phonelines.

They’re ideal for any business with the cash available to purchase and own their own equipment or happy to take out finance, typically over a 5-year period. Telephone lines and support are paid for monthly.

What are the key features of an on-premise phone system?

· Call management and routing, such as auto attendant, call forwarding and call transfer

· Physical handsets and hardware

· 24/7 greetings

· Voicemail, including voicemail to email

· User-friendly handsets

· Speed dialling

Is an on-premise phone system right for my business?

Being responsible for maintenance, upgrades and repairs, your in-house IT staff will need to oversee updates and troubleshooting, so you’ll need to factor in this resource requirement.

There are higher upfront costs for purchasing hardware and infrastructure, consider the investment needed for the initial installation. Expanding the system can be complex and costly compared to cloud-based solutions, that said, if the system is used and maintained efficiently over time, there’s potentially lower long-term costs.

On-premise phone systems are often chosen by larger organisations or those with specific regulatory or security requirements that require greater control over their infrastructure. As we move towards a cloud-based future, every business will benefit from future-proof technology. You might find you’re locked into an on-premise contract, but there’s a solution. If you need to run an on-premise phone system but want some of the benefits of cloud telephony, consider SIP Trunking.

What is SIP Trunking?

SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) trunking connects an on-premise phone system, such as a Private Branch Exchange (PBX), to the PSTN via the internet. It allows for the use of VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) to make and receive phone calls, bypassing traditional analogue or digital telephone lines.

A service provider offers SIP trunks, which are essentially virtual phone lines that use the internet for call transmission. The on-premise PBX must be configured to work with the SIP trunk. This involves setting up SIP credentials and ensuring the PBX can communicate over IP networks. SIP trunking relies on the internet to transmit voice data, it allows businesses to modernise their on-premise phone systems, reduce costs, and gain greater flexibility and scalability.

There’s many benefits to SIP Trunking.

On-premise phone systems with RHM

RHM has been installing and supporting on site telephone systems for more than 20 years. Our reliable solutions are suitable for businesses of all shapes and sizes. From single to multi-site locations, we can provide you with a system that meets all your needs.

Because we’ve worked with key hardware suppliers such as Avaya and Ericsson LG for more than 20 years, some of our customers are on their 3rd or 4th generation systems and have been able to migrate and upgrade without having to replace all the equipment or licences.

Chat to our team to find out which solution would be right for your business.

See cloud phone systems in action

Every industry experiences the benefits of a cloud phone system, you can read some of our case studies: