Difference between a Trunk+User and User Only licenses

Introduction

Each business phone system (aka PBX), installed on premise or in the cloud, needs to be configured with a number of user extensions (for the employees) and a number of outside lines (to make or receive calls from outside of your business phone system). See diagram below.

Open

When a user extension needs to place a call to the outside world, the PBX seizes one of the available outside lines. For most businesses, the ratio of User Extensions to Outside Lines is about 3:1. This can vary depending on usage (for instance in call centers).

For the Cloud PBXact service, we accomplish the task of configuring your hosted system with Trunk+User licenses and User Only license definitions.

Some terminology:

• Business phone system are often referred to as PBX (Private Branch Exchange)

• User Extensions are often referred to as Seats

• Outside lines are often referred to as external call paths, trunk lines or trunk channels

Trunk+User and User Only License Definitions

For the Cloud PBXact service, we use the terms Trunk+User and User Only. These are two different types of licenses. The Trunk+User license provides both a User Extension and an Outside Line (also called "trunk") for your system. Each User Only license provides a User Extension for your system. The diagram below shows a system with 2 Trunk+User licenses and 3 User Only licenses, for a total of 5 seats and 2 Trunk Channels.

Open

When a user running on either a Trunk+User or a User Only license needs to place a call to the outside, the Cloud PBXact PBX will select an available outside line. There is no difference of end user features between a Trunk+User and User Only licenses, they all have access to the same functionality. A User Only can make calls to outside line - it is not limited to make internal calls.

Examples

Most businesses operate on a 3:1 ratio of User Extensions to Outside Lines. For more complex cases - such as call centers, please contact us.

Case 1: 20 users office

• Number of User Extensions: 20

• Number of Outside lines: 20 / 3 = 7 (rounded up)

• Number of Trunk+User licenses: 7 (same as number of Outside lines)

• Number of User Only licenses: 20 - 7 = 13

So in this case you would order 7 Trunk+User and 13 User Only licenses for your Cloud PBXact system.

Case 2: 10 users office

• Number of Extensions: 10

• Number of Outside lines: 10 / 3 = 4 (rounded up)

• Number of Trunk+User licenses: 4 (same as number of Outside lines)

• Number of User Only licenses: 10 - 4 = 6

So in this case you would order 4 Trunk+User and 6 User Only licenses for your Cloud PBXact system