Companies with legacy PBX systems can integrate them with modern IP-based systems, thanks to a new service from InTechnology.

Available immediately, PBX Connect enables organisations with legacy PBX systems to make and receive calls over InTechnology's Multi Protocol Label Switching network, along with their other network and web traffic.

PBX Connect has been designed for organisations planning to make the transition to IP-based telephony, but which are not ready to 'rip and replace' existing systems, or find the cost of doing so prohibitive.

The system works by converting ISDN line traffic to the Session Initiation Protocol, enabling voice calls from the PBX to be carried over InTechnology's managed IP network.

This removes the need for two separate voice and data networks, according to InTechnology product group manager Phil Dyson.

"PBX Connect enables companies to benefit from IP telephony while utilising the investments they have already made in PBX systems," he said.

The total cost of ownership for PBX Connect works out at £10,700 over three years, which includes a 1.5Mbit/s connection to InTechnology's network, installation and full management of the service. This equates to a 50 per cent saving over the comparable service from BT, according to Dyson.

Once deployed, PBX users can be migrated to InTechnology's Unity IP Voice hosted voice-over-IP service, and make use of other IP-based services. "You are basically buying into a voice-converged IP network," said Dyson.