3CX Phone System is a software-based IP PBX for Windows which replaces traditional PBX hardware phones. It is based on the SIP standard and supports standard SIP software / hardware phones. It allows calls to be made via a VOIP service provider or via the regular PSTN. Easy to install and configure, it includes a web-based configuration interface, voice mail, auto attendant, call hunting and other features. Both commercial and a free edition are available.

• No need for separate wiring – phones use computer network 
• Easier to install & manage via web-based configuration 
• A software IP PBX is less expensive than a hardware PBX 
• Move employees’ offices without changing wiring or 3CX 
• Utilize any SIP phone instead of being locked into one vendor
• Save on call costs using any SIP VOIP service or WAN 
• Receive & Make calls via existing phone lines using VOIP Gateways 

3CX PBX for Windows Features:

Mini VPN - remote users can easily authenticate to the 3CX server from remote locations using a standard port. This feature overcomes potential firewall pitfalls, and allows remote users to make and receive calls from anywhere, as if they were on the 3CX LAN.
New in 6.0!

Integrated Fax Server - receive faxes via the T38 protocol, convert them to PDF files and forward them by e-mail. All leading gateways support the T38 protocol, so you can easily receive faxes using 3CX and a VOIP Gateway
New in 6.0!

Branch Office Integration - connect branch offices to your 3CX network using the 3CX VPN, allowing 3CX offices at separate locations to communicate directly, as if they were on the same LAN.
New in 6.0!

Call Recording - easily record conversations for monitoring purposes. This feature is currently available with SNOM phones; more supported phones coming soon.
New in 6.0!

Call Parking - park calls on virtual extensions, allowing agents to pick them up when they become available.
New in 6.0!

Phone Provisioning - setup new extensions automatically with this feature that makes setting up phones quick and easy. This feature is currently available with Grandstream and SNOM phones; more supported phones coming soon.
New in 6.0!

Make Calls from Outlook - launch calls directly from Microsoft Outlook (or any TAPI or Web enabled application); and call history can automatically be logged in the Microsoft Journal, avoiding cumbersome input of calls.
New in 6.0!

3CX VOIP/Softphone - the 3CX VOIP Softphone allows agents to easily connect to the 3CX server from anywhere, and: make and receive calls, check on the availability of other agents, transfer calls, record calls, review call history, and much more…
New in 6.0!

Dial By Name - callers can dial extensions/agents by name using using the Digital Receptionist.
New in 6.0!

SIP ID Forking - allows multiple SIP phones to have the same extension and ring at the same time. This feature can be used to have an agent to pick up a call from a desk phone or a softphone, depending on whether they are at home or on the road.
New in 6.0!

Outbound Rules / Dial Plans - create outbound rules / dial plans based on number of digits. This allows a dial plan to be setup that does not require a prefix.
New in 6.0!

G729 Codec Support - save bandwidth using this audio data compression algorithm.
New in 6.0!

Web Based Interface - Makes phone system configuration & management a breeze. No need to learn an obscure, archaic phone system interface or pay for the phone system supplier to make configuration changes.

3CX Call Assistant - A small windows application that allows users to manage their extension and calls from their desktop. Users can see the extension numbers of other users and whether they are available to take calls. The Call Assistant application is phone-independent, enabling you to use your favourite SIP hardware or software phone. The Call Assistant ships with all editions of 3CX Phone System, including the Free edition. However, in the Small Business, Pro and Enterprise editions, the Call Assistant allows you to transfer calls to another extension or voice mail, place calls on hold and launch calls with a few mouse-clicks. You do not need to learn complicated phone functions.

Unified Messaging - Allows users to receive voice mail via email.

Digital Receptionist / Auto Attendant - The digital receptionist feature allows you to answer phone calls automatically using the computer and present the caller with a list of options. The caller can then choose the appropriate option using the numbers on his phone key pad. Using this feature you can implement a menu, for example for sales press 1, for support press 2 etc. A digital receptionist is also known as an auto attendant. You can configure different menu options and text for the menus based on which line the calls comes in, as well as based on whether the call is received within or outside office hours. This way you could have a different answer outside office hours and de-activate menu options accordingly.

Ring Groups - A ring group allows you to direct calls on particular numbers to a group of extensions. For example, you could define a group of 3 sales people, and have the general sales number ring on all 3 extensions at the same time or after each other. When you create a ring group, you also assign it a virtual extension number. This will be the number used by the phone system to “address” the ring group.

Call Reports - The reports feature allows you to analyze your call traffic. You can generate reports on your call traffic using the call reports feature or analyze the logs directly using the call logs feature. Using this feature it is also possible to export the call data in CSV format so you can import them into a spreadsheet or database program for further analysis.

Outbound Call Rules - An outbound route defines on which line an outbound call should be placed. This allows you to create a set of rules which specifies how a call should be made based on who is making a call and who he/she is calling.

DID/DDI Support - Many companies provide users and/or departments with “Direct or DID numbers”, which allow their contacts to call them directly, bypassing the receptionist. DID numbers are referred to as DDI numbers in the United Kingdom and as MSN numbers in Germany. Even if you have a digital receptionist, a direct line / number is often preferable because it’s more convenient for the caller. Direct numbers can be easily implemented using DID numbers. DID numbers are provided by your VOIP provider or Phone Company and are virtual numbers assigned to your physical lines. Usually you are assigned a range of numbers, which is linked to an existing BRI/T1/E1.

System Prompts - Messages played to the caller by the phone system for standard situations within the voice mail and digital receptionist. For example, when the caller has listened to all his voice mail messages the system will play a system prompt that tells the caller that there are no more messages.

Standards Based - A VOIP phone system requires the use of SIP phones. These phones are based on the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP), an industry standard to which all modern IP PBXs adhere. The SIP protocol defines how calls should be established and is specified in RFC 3261. Because of SIP, it is possible to mix and match IP PBX software, phones and gateways. This protects your investment in the phone hardware. SIP phones are available in several versions/types.

PSTN Lines via VoIP Gateway - External calls are received and made on PSTN phone lines. A traditional PBX requires you to connect the PSTN lines to the PBX hardware box; however in the case of 3CX Phone System you have more options: Connect PSTN lines (physical phone lines) to a VoIP Gateway situated on your internal network. Use a "hosted" phone line from a VOIP Service Provider. In this case the VOIP service provider has connected external lines to a VOIP Gateway and allows you to access these lines via your internet connection. To make & receive external phone calls via your regular phone lines, you will have to buy and configure a VoIP gateway.

Voice Mail - The voice mail feature allows messages to be recorded when a particular extension can not be answered. It is also possible to send particular calls to a voice mail box directly. Voice mail messages are recorded in wav format and are stored in the user’s mailbox and optionally forwarded by email to the user. The system can:

Store the voice mail for retrieval by phone by the user.
Store the voice mail for retrieval by phone and send an email notification to the user.
Attach the voice mail as a wav message to an email and send it to the user’s email inbox. After that it can delete the message from the voice mail box.
Store the voice mail for retrieval by phone as well as send it by e-mail.

3CX Phone System realizes the concept of a unified messaging system, in which the user only needs to check his email inbox for email messages as well as voice mail messages.

Call Routing - If the phone system knows your normal office hours, it can route a call differently depending on whether the call is received within or outside office hours. You can configure call routing per line in the line configuration.

Call Logging - The Call Log feature provides "a look" at individual calls, recording time and destinations of particular calls or to see the call traffic for a particular extension.

System Backup - This feature allows you to create a complete backup of your phone system configuration to a file. Restoring a configuration is as simple as locating the file and clicking 'Restore'.