Intermedia Launches Hosted PBX Service

Recently, Intermedia launched its hosted PBX service, a VoIP-based service that integrates with Intermedia's hosted Exchange e-mail service to enable customers to access hosted PBX and unified communications features.

Hosted PBX is managed from Intermedia's HostPilot Control Panel, which provides a single point of communications control for customers. The service comes with voice menu, hunt groups to route calls in order to get the important ones answered quickly, flat rate monthly charges with unlimited calling for users in the US and Canada, along with several other features.

Customers can add hosted Microsoft Office Communications Server (OCS) and the OCS Calling feature to expand hosted PBX into a full unified communications service. With it, calls can be made to instant messaging or Outlook contacts with a single click.

According to UCStrategies UC Expert Blair Pleasant: "SMBs are increasingly turning to hosted services for their communication needs, and are looking for something that's easy to maintain, manage and support, while being cost-effective. Intermedia's hosted service lets SMBs get the capabilities they need without investing in a premise-based solution." Pleasant noted, "Intermedia is taking an interesting approach to hosted unified communications - instead of selling a full UC suite to its SMB customers, who may not really understand what UC is all about, Intermedia is selling various communication components, enabling customers to start with what they need and understand, and expand when they're ready. By starting with a hosted PBX offering in addition to its hosted Exchange service, Intermedia can help its SMB customers move gradually to UC. Since the system ties directly into Outlook, it's easier for businesses and their end-users to utilize the service because it's an environment they're already familiar with. While the service won't initially support IM federation or audio conferencing, it provides most of the capabilities that SMBs are looking for, in a cost-effective manner."

The Intermedia hosted PBX service includes end user features such as a direct phone number and unique extension, caller ID, as well as call waiting, transfer, and forwarding. It's offered at a promotional rate of $25 a month, plus taxes, for the first three months.

For more information, visit www.intermedia.net.