A Mobile extension lets you access your desktop phone via an external communications device through a simulation of your office phone. A single number allows people to get a hold of you no matter where you are.
A mobile extension gives you flexible call control, access to every key feature of your desktop phone, and lets you manage your calls in-progress. Voice over internet protocol (VoIP) has made it easy and inexpensive to use mobile extensions. Local network access can be expanded anywhere in the world, thanks to virtual private networking.
A remote extension makes itself available from within your enterprise by calling the corresponding extension number. For outgoing and inbound calls, an extension works as if it were inside the same location as the business itself.
Mobile Extensions Explained
A phone extension refers to a phone on an internal landline that is connected to a private branch exchange (PBX). A PBX is like a community switchboard and allows multiple lines from the same physical location to communicate through one single line rather than requiring a separate line for each phone.
In extension systems, a caller typically has to dial a single digit number (in North America, the number is 9) to tell the PBX to make an outbound call outside of the central system of phones it connects. To reach phones within the PBX system, users only have to dial the appropriate extension number to call other users directly.
For inbound calls made to the organization, an automated assistant requests the number of the extension (as you have probably experienced when calling an office). The caller enters their desired extension number and is connected to the phone assigned to that number.
Advantages of Using Mobile Extension Applications
As you may recall from our piece on unified communications, there are numerous benefits to combining communications technologies. Having a mobile extension with a single number is yet another example of this concept.
Here is a quick rundown of the top benefits when rolling out mobile extensions:
- Assigning a business line to cell phone extension can be much more affordable than giving each phone a separate landline.
- Your business number on mobile can make calls within the company for security reasons.
- Mobile extensions allow workers to keep the same phone number if they move to a different office or cubicle. This saves time by eliminating the need to change an employee’s phone number on the books and not having to notify any associates or contacts of the change.
- Mobile extensions provide a means by which an organization can assemble call accounting and personalized traffic data for cost control. This makes it possible to see if employees are using their business number to mobile for personal time or if they are spending too much time making calls when they should be handling other responsibilities.
- With a business line to a mobile extension, customers won’t even know that you’re not in the office. A single number allows you to be reached at any location. This makes it possible to continue business while travelling, commuting, or otherwise being away from any central location.
A business number on a cell phone also enables remote collaboration. With the explosion of personal computers and broadband internet access, more and more companies are connecting remotely, or even hiring entire teams that work remotely full-time.
With mobile extensions, everyone can be in contact at all times regardless of their location, and they can all contact customers or other business associates from a number that appears to be located at a single office. This makes your outgoing calls appear more professional and ensures that anyone calling from your mobile extension will create the same signature on the recipient’s Caller ID systems.
Realize the Benefits of Mobile Extension Applications
In summary, mobile extensions are a vital part of any comprehensive unified communications strategy. Having a single extension that can be used to make and receive calls from any location allows your team to work together without being together.
While most businesses use a central phone extension system via a private branch exchange (PBX), not all have graduated to using mobile extensions. This added functionality increases the flexibility and efficiency of an organization and should be a part of your unified communications.
Contact us today to learn about how implementing a mobile extension application might benefit your business.
Cory Porteous
Marketing Manager
Office Interiors
