3CX Phone System for Windows is a software-based IP PBX that replaces traditional proprietary hardware PBX / PABX. 3CX's IP PBX has been developed specifically for Microsoft Windows and is based on the SIP standard making it easier to manage and allowing you to use any SIP phone (software or hardware). A software-based IP PBX / PABX offers numerous benefits:

• No need for separate phone wiring; phones use computer network   
• Easier to install & manage via web-based configuration interface
• A software-based IP PBX is far less expensive than a hardware-based PBX / PABX
• Employees can move offices without requiring any changes in the wiring or IP PBX configuration
• Choose from the many SIP based hardware phones instead of getting locked in with one vendor
• Receive & Make calls via the standard PSTN using VOIP Gateways
• Save on call costs with 'out of the box' configurations for popular SIP / VOIP providers.

A complete 3CX Phone System for Windows consists of the server software, soft phones or SIP hardware phones, and a VOIP Gateway to connect your existing phone lines. A VOIP provider can be used to leverage low cost calls across your user network.

The system can use the existing computer wiring (and share the network point with the computer) and can be installed on an existing, non-dedicated Windows server (no need for Linux!) or run as a virtual machine. Say goodbye to expensive, proprietary, phone system expansion modules and costly phone bills!


Use VOIP providers to lower your phone bills

Save on costs by making international / long distance calls via a VOIP provider. Create network-wide least-cost rules that route calls based on destination. 3CX provides tested 'out of the box' configurations for many popular VOIP providers.


3CX VOIP Client / Soft phone




3CX Phone System includes a unique VOIP Client for every user that can act as soft phone, allowing you to easily make, receive and transfer calls from your computer using a headset. Use 3CX VOIP Client in combination with a desk phone, or simultaneously, to see status/presence of other users, lines and call queues and configure extension preferences.


Enterprise features: Call Queuing, IVR, Intercom/Paging




3CX Phone System includes enterprise level features as standard. Set-up auto attendants / digital receptionists and call forwarding rules based on Caller ID, time and type of call. Queue calls and distribute to agents as they become available. Page groups of users to broadcast a message or call a single user via intercom. 3CX also integrates a complete voice mail system.

3CX delivers standards-based Unified Communications & Presence

With 3CX users can easily see the presence of other users and avoid unnecessarily making or transferring calls. Presence is displayed in any standards-based SIP client, including 3CX VOIP Client and SIP hardware phones (BLF). Deliver mobility by allowing users to make and receive calls from anywhere - even from home. Unify voice mail and faxes with email by having them all delivered to the users inbox.


Provision phones automatically with 3CX

3CX Phone System can automatically configure popular SIP hardware phones with the appropriate extension settings. Advanced phone features such as a central company phone book, MWI (Message Waiting Indicator), BLF (Busy Lamp Field to monitor status of other extensions) and Intercom/Paging are automatically configured and updated.

Web based console: Configure and Monitor from anywhere

The web-based interface makes 3CX Phone System configuration and management a breeze. No need to learn an obscure, archaic phone system interface or pay for the phone system supplier to make configuration changes. You can monitor phone system status, including which extensions and PSTN lines are busy, and more, from a web browser.

Call conferencing: Host your own conference calls


3CX allows you to easily setup conference calls that include employees from local and remote offices, as well as, external callers. Leverage 3CX bridge infrastructure to make free conference calls. Easy ad hoc guarantees flexibility no need for complicated, costly and unreliable conference call services.


Use Outlook/CRM contacts as your phone book



With 3CX Phone System you can initiate phone calls directly from Microsoft Outlook or popular web based CRM packages such as Salesforce.com. Just click on a contact to automatically dial the number and optionally log the call. Forget about dialing phone numbers again! You can also resolve inbound calls to a MS Outlook contact, making your business communications more efficient.

Features: Free edition vs Commercial editions

General Phone System Features
Call Logging
Call Reporting
Blind Call Transfer
Attended Call Transfer
Call Forward on Busy
Call Forward on No Answer
Call Routing (DID)
Caller ID
Conference Calling
Auto Attendant / Digital Receptionist
Voice Mail
Music on Hold
Ring Groups
Hunt Groups
Central Phonebook
Call Parking
Call Pickup
Call Queueing
Call Recording
Dial by Name
MWI - Message Waiting Indicator
BLF Status Updates
Conference Rooms
Intercom
Paging

Management and Scaleability
Web-based management console
Configuration wizard
Real Time Web-based System Status
Integrated Web Server
Automated Restore and Backup
Firewall Friendly Configuration of External Extensions via Tunnel
Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Certified
Integrated Enterprise Database (PostgreSQL)
Ability to Run as Windows 2008 Virtual Machine
Ability to Run as VmwareVirtual Machine
Supports Windows Clustering
Automatic Phone Provisioning
Allow Users to Configure their Own Extension Settings

Unified Communications and Mobility
Myphone Self-Service User Portal
Receive Voice Mail via Email
Public SIP ID for Extensions
3CX Tunnel for Easy Remote Connections
Advanced forwarding rules based on caller ID, time & type of call
Integrate Branch Offices with 3CX Bridge
Standards-based Presence Information
Integrated Fax Server
Receive Faxes via Email as PDF
Send Faxes from Anywhere on the Network

3CX VOIP Client
Compact Windows System Tray Applet
Tunnel all VOIP Traffic over a Single Port
Place Calls
Transfer Calls
Shows Incoming Calls
Shows Caller ID
Shows Personal Call History
Divert Calls to Voice Mail
TAPI Driver for Integration with Microsoft Outlook
Queue Monitoring
Shows Status of Other Extensions
Run as Presence Monitor in Combination with Deskphone

3rd Party Application Integration
Microsoft Outlook
Salesforce Integration
HTTP API to Integrate with any Web CRM
Microsoft Exchange 2007 UM
Microsoft Fax Services

SIP Standards Support
Fully Supports RFC 3261
SIP Forking
Establish Standards-based SIP Trunks with other SIP Servers

Devices and Providers
Supports SIP Hardware Phones (shop phones)
Supports SIP Software Phones
Supports Leading SIP / VOIP Gateways (shop gateways)
Supports Sangoma cards (shop Sangoma cards)
Supports Popular SIP /VOIP Providers
SIP Trunking Support
Create Free Communication Links to other 3CX Systems
Create Free Communication Links to other SIP Servers

Codecs (Voice Compression)
G711 (a law and u law)
GSM
Speex
Ilbc
G729 *1

Customer Service and Support
Wiki
Community Forums (no 3CX Support)
Email Support *2
Live Chat Support*3
3CX Partner Forum (only for 3CX Resellers)
3CX Partner Support Portal (only for 3CX Resellers)