A switchboard service is a business phone system delivered from the cloud instead of as hardware in your office. You subscribe to the functionality and the provider handles operation, updates and maintenance. You get answer groups, presence, call routing and analytics through an app, with no physical switchboard in the server room.
How a switchboard service works
Rather than a box on your premises, the system runs in the provider's cloud. Calls are carried over the internet and controlled by rules you set in the app.
- Incoming calls are routed to the right person or answer group.
- Staff answer on mobile, desktop or a desk phone.
- Presence and opening hours decide what happens outside office hours.
- All statistics sit in one interface so you can see how calls flow.
How it differs from a traditional switchboard
A traditional switchboard needs hardware, installation and replacement as you grow. A switchboard service scales instantly: add users when you hire and remove them when you scale down. Updates happen automatically and new features arrive continuously.
For a deeper comparison, see our overview of cloud based PBX.
Features in a modern switchboard service
- Answer groups and queue handling to balance load.
- Presence so colleagues see who is busy or free.
- Call recording and analytics for follow up.
- Built in AI that can answer, summarise and guide calls.
At lynes the AI is built in, developed in house and part of the same seamless platform, so everything lives in one single app instead of bolted on third party tools. See the full business switchboard for details.
Benefits for businesses
- Lower fixed cost since there is no hardware to buy.
- Fast to launch and easy to scale.
- The same features wherever your team works.
- Measurability that makes it easy to improve customer experience.
FAQ
Is a switchboard service the same as a cloud PBX?
In practice, yes. Both describe a phone system that runs in the cloud and is paid per user instead of bought as hardware.
Do we need desk phones?
No. Most people answer in the mobile app or on the desktop. Desk phones can be connected if you want, but they are not required.
How fast can we switch?
Usually a few days. Your numbers move across through porting and the setup is done in the app.
Does it work for both small and large companies?
Yes. Because it scales per user it suits a team of five as well as several hundred.
Want to see a switchboard service in action? Book a lynes demo and we will walk through your setup live.
