PBX and Key/Hybrid Systems PBX and Key systems are the wave of communication
for business everywhere. The key difference between PBX and Key/Hybrid systems
are the amount of stations each can handle. Key systems are designed for clients
with very small line size requirements and very basic needs. It usually handles
between 16 to 48 stations. PBX systems on the other hand handle a lot more
stations as well as more features and sophistication. PBX are designed for
larger corporations and cost much more than a simple key system communication
need. Another key advantage of PBX system is it allows for room for corporation
growth over the years than that of a Key System or Hybrid system. An example of
a PBX system and some of its features is the Fujitsu BCS Series 3:1 Model Series
3 Product Type Digital PBX FCC Registration Numbers (Key) BJ885Z-60084-KF-E;
(Hybrid) BJ8USA-60083-MF-E (PBX) BJ8USA-75355-PF-E Date Announced July 1993
Number of Systems Installed Approximately 2,375 + Line Capacity 480 Port
Capacity 588 Trunk Capacity 4 to 240 (dependent on # of lines configured)
Simultaneous Calls Possible 294 Traffic Capacity (BHCAs) 10,000 Switching Matrix
TDM Main System CPU Fujitsu proprietary 8-bit or 16-bit CPU H5H5 Component
Redundancy Not available Amt. of Main System Memory 1.5MB ISDN Support PRI only
(BRI not available) T-Carrier Support Direct T1 interface Wireless Support
SpectraLink WTS Voice Messaging Support Fujitsu TranSend/TranSend Lite unified
messaging platform; Fujitsu's IVS voice messaging platform; or various
third-party voice mail solutions. H6H6 ACD Support Fujitsu Series 3 ACD; ACD
Report Manager H7H7 Call Accounting Support Integrates with Fujitsu's Call
Manager H8H8 PC Attendant Console Optional The features of the Fujitsu BCS
Series 3 is what most would look at a well functioning PBX. The price rang of
the phones of each line are between 300 and 500 dollars per line with a basic
package of 6500 for the TransSend unified messaging platform. An example of a
functioning Key/Hybrid System is the Lucent Merlin Legend. A couple features of
this key system are:2 Digital key/hybrid/PBX/behind-Centrex system H2H2 Date
Announced August 1991 Date Installed October 1991 FCC Registration Numbers
Key--AS593M-72914-KF-E; multifunction hybrid--AS593M-72682-MF-E H3H3 Target
Market Small- to medium-sized businesses General Specifications Digital Station
Capacity 200 Line Capacity 80 Simultaneous Calls Possible 108 Switching Matrix
Time division Type of Processor Centralized 68000 microprocessor Type/Amount of
Main Memory (bytes) 896K RAM Port Capacity 280 As you can tell the system is can
not handle as much as the PBX system but for small business the Merlin Legend is
a perfect fit. The price of the key/hybrid system the basic Merlin Legend
Release 7.0 module retails for US$1,494. As you can tell that is a steep
difference in price between the two. In conclusion when comparing the key system
and PBX you compromise the features and price. With the PBX of the Fujitsu you
spend so much more money but you get a lot of different features as well as the
ablility to grow and become a bigger corporation with larger features. The Key
system just leaves you with the bare requirements for your small business
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