Cox Business has rolled out a new IP PBX platform, which was designed for small- and medium-size businesses, in its Oklahoma and Las Vegas systems.
Cox’s managed IP PBX service, which is called Managed IP PBX+, is based on Cisco’s Small Business Communications System. Cox recently became the first cable operator to garner Cisco Managed Services Channel Partner Express Certification.
Cox said its Managed IP PBX+ service provided an integrated, feature-rich, premise-based, IP-PBX communications system. With the service, small business customers with limited or no internal IT department can become equipped with a telecommunications system that is monitored and managed by Cox Business.
Cox said potential problems can be resolved immediately, often before the customer recognizes the problem. Businesses can share features between up to five networked locations, including four-digit dialing, without incurring long-distance toll charges. Other applications include a PC-integrated toolbar and soft phone, allowing secure access to communications features for employees working remotely.
The service was designed specifically to address small- and medium-size businesses with less than 100 employees. Cox Business plans to roll out the Managed IP PBX+ service to additional Cox markets this year.
“Managed IP PBX+ provides advanced communications capabilities to small businesses that prefer onsite telecom equipment and frees them to more strategically allocate resources to core business activities,” said Kristine Faulkner, vice president of product development and management at Cox Business. “Cisco is a recognized data networking and VoIP leader and validates Cox’s commitment to partner with best-in-class technology organizations to expand the business product portfolio to meet diverse customer needs.”
Cox said the Cisco certification recognized a provider’s investment in the processes, practices and tools necessary to provide high-quality managed services.
Cox Business has a long history when it comes to voice service offerings. It was one of the early adopters of voice over IP technology. In 2007, Cox became the first cable provider in North America to deploy a fully owned and managed IP telephony service for businesses, Cox Business VoiceManager.
In addition to the new Managed IP PBX+ service, Cox Business expects to launch SIP trunking in 2011, allowing customers to more efficiently route voice traffic over Internet Protocol.