Centrex

/ˈsɛntrɛks/ noun

Definition

A telephone exchange service that allows businesses to manage their own phone system with features like call routing and internal switching.

Etymology

From 'centre' + 'exchange' (contracted to 'ex'). Coined by telecommunications companies in the mid-20th century as a brand name that became genericized for a technology service.

Kelly Says

Centrex was revolutionary because it let small businesses have phone systems as advanced as huge corporations—it's an early example of how technology could democratize professional capabilities!

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