| Feature | Centrex | PBX with ISDN PRI |
| Administration | Web based changes, limited user changes | Menu driven software |
| Authorization Codes | Not Available | Standard feature - per phone basis |
| Boss-Secretary Line Appearance | Requires expensive ISDN sets | Standard on digital sets |
| Call Accounting | Not Available | PC, software |
| Call Coverage (Overflow lines) | Requires ISDN phones, 2 lines | Standard feature digital sets, use "free" virtuals for overflow |
| Call Forwarding | Set by Admin software - dial in | User or Admin can set up |
| Call Park | Not Available | You can park a call and retrieve it at another phone |
| Caller ID | Costs extra, requires special phones | Standard with digital display sets |
| Conference Calling | Max 3 party | 3 party standard, 8 or 32 party optional |
| Day/Night Toll Restriction | Not Available | Standard - office phones can be local only at night |
| E-911 | Yes | Standard with ISDN PRI |
| Executive Barge-In | Not Available | Allows barge in to existing conversations |
| Feature phone maintenance | Done by Ameritech at extra cost | Point and click software for Admin |
| Flexible Station Numbering | Phone numbers assigned by Phone Co. | Flexible numbering that customer has a choice |
| Group Call | Not Available | You can ring up to 32 phones for emergencies etc. |
| Hands Free Answer Back ICM | Not Available | You can use talk-back inter-com for inside calls |
| Internal Zone Paging | Not Available | You can page through the speakers of the digital phones |
| Least Cost Routing | Optional | Standard |
| Message Waiting Lamps | Requires adapter | Standard, can have multiple lamps on digital phones |
| Music on Hold | Limited Options | Standard, multiple choices |
| Name Display | Not Available | Standard with display phones |
| Night Answer | Attendant sets call forwarding only | Flexible |
| Reverse Caller ID | Yes | Standard with ISDN PRI |
| Secretarial phones | Requires expensive ISDN lines | Standard digital sets, several choices |
| Speakerphones | Analog or ISDN phones | Digital Speakerphones or analog or IP |
| Speed Dialing | 20-30 numbers per phone | Flexible, up to 100 per phone |
| Toll Restriction | Limited | Flexible, many options |
| Traffic Reports | Not Available | Standard |
| Unique extensions | Some Centrex shared to cut monthly costs | Each phone typically has unique number |
| Virtual Extensions | Not Available | You can have an additional extension to take/receive calls |
| Voice Mail connection | Requires extra Centrex lines $$$ and data circuit | Plugs into PBX |
| Voice Mail Message Lights | Requires special lights, extra data circuit $400 | Standard with analog or digital phones |
| VOIP Integration | Not Available | Can connect phones with Cisco routers |
| Wireless phones | Can forward to cellular with monthly expense | NEC integrated wireless phones or user can forward |