To get the most out of our products, you need to select and configure the right telephone system (PBX = Private Branch Exchange). Snom works closely with many technology partners and can therefore meet the most common requirements. The points listed below should serve as an overview and thus as a decision-making aid for the selection of a PBX.
In contrast to earlier two-wire telephony solutions (PSTN), VoIP telephony is a solution that is fully integrated into computer networks and always uses the Internet as a medium for data transfer for external communication..
Therefore, the question of whether the telephone system is installed on site ("on premise") or whether a hosted or complete cloud solution is used initially plays a secondary role.
There are one or two differences between these solutions, but these mainly play a role if, for example, you want to connect the old PBX with a VoIP PBX ("hybrid solution") or you have specific or individual requirements for the telephone system.
A "locally" installed telephone system, also referred to as "on premise", in conjunction with a local SBC (Session Border Controller), offers the advantage that it maintains internal telephony even if the internet fails. In addition, there are some specialised providers of on premise telephone systems that allow for use or coupling with old or existing telephony infrastructure together with VoIP. Many PBX providers offer their telephone system as software and leave it up to their customers to decide whether they want to use it locally on their own server ("on premise") or in the "cloud". Some providers also offer an intermediate solution and rent a hosted server with the PBX installed on it exclusively to customers.
The telephony systems most commonly used on the market today are so-called "cloud" solutions. As already described, these are also partly provided on a "hosted" server installed specifically for customers. The principle is basically identical. Since VoIP telephony, despite different solutions, is based on the same principles as any other communication via the internet, it does not matter nowadays where the server is located. In the event that you opt for an "open source solution", financial aspects might speak more in favour of an "on premise" solution.
If you want to work in a home office, it does not matter which solution your employer has chosen. It is possible to connect the phone to a local server (located in the company's headquarters) via a VPN tunnel connection as well as to connect the phone to a cloud solution. The phone only needs to be connected to the internet and power.
The decision as to whether a telephone system is to be operated at one location or several also plays a secondary role.
In addition to the decision for the location, there are other points that should be considered when choosing a VoIP telephone system. Personal preferences play just as important a role as the support of the appropriate Snom Partner, who advises you during the installation and supports you in everyday life afterwards.
Find the right partner here:
One of the best reasons for using VoIP telephony is the direct connection to the computer world. With this regard, when choosing your VoIP telephone system (PBX), it makes sense to ensure that it supports the software systems you want to use. It therefore matters whether the PBX you want to use uses, for example, MS Exchange or your CRM (customer relationship management). The key to this topic is the so-called CTI (Computer Telephony Integration).
You have already taken the first, right step. You are on our website and have already made the best choice on the device page. Now you should check whether your favourite telephone system already supports the desired Snom phones. Every telephone system provider sets its own priorities. Especially with the mobile DECT radio technology there are big differences between the providers.
It is advisable to check our compatibility list in the Snom Service Hub:
After the question of which Snom devices you want to use and which PBX is the right one has been clarified, you naturally want to know where to buy our devices. As Snom does not offer the devices itself, but through distribution partners, there are these options:
Snom desk phones are highly customisable. This means you can completely customise all colours, font sizes and even all icons used in the phone's UI (user interface). If you want to customise our devices even more to your workflow, you can also customise each menu individually. However, there are limits to such changes on the part of PBX providers. As a classic server/client model, PBX providers can reset all customisations to default at the latest after a reboot. Some providers allow changes, others offer some functions only from a certain licence. You should ask the PBX provider of your choice whether you are allowed to make changes and if so, how much.
With the release of firmware version 10 in early 2019, Snom has changed the cycle in which updates are released. Since then, Snom releases 4-5 updates per year. In order to ensure that the new firmware does not cause any disruptions, it is common practice among most telephone system (PBX) providers to first test the new firmware and only release it for customers to download after error-free testing. It is therefore best to find out in advance how the procedure works with the PBX provider of your choice.
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