|
Which Phone System is Right for Me? The MicroSMB systems range in capability from 4-16 analog CO Lines, and, up to 24 local extensions. It is possible to link 2 systems together, this reduces each systems capacity as well, so, the total is then 16-24 analog CO lines in, and, 16-32 local extensions. The MicroSMB system is extremely powerful, more features than you can almost imagine. It is a card based system, i.e., you buy a system and there are 1 or 2 slots leftover for future expansion. Cards add features, perhaps more CO lines, more extensions, or perhaps a card to link 2 systems.
Setup can be done yourself with Windows based software and a serial connection to the system, or, you can have the support folks set it up if you get the remote configuration kit. This kit is *highly* recommended, it not only allows external configuration, but, also, speeds up support. So, while it may be a couple of hundred bucks, remember, it also allows your system to be set up for you for the most part.
Phones can be either key style phones which use 2 pair of wire, or, regular analog phones which use a single pair of wire. You can also get an operator console.
The feature set is enormous, dependant on which options you order, and includes:
- Configuration Wizard (Windows PC Software)
- Access Restriction: Line/Station - Control access to outside lines and even inside extensions.
- Account Code Entry: Voluntary, Forced, Forced/Validated - Allows calls to be tagged with an account code for billing or reporting purposes
- Agent Log Off / Agent Log On - Sign on to user groups for call distribution purposes
- Agent Not Ready / Agent Ready - allows the extension to take calls directly for this extension, but, not group calls
- Alarm Clock - allows system administrators, perhaps desk clerks in a hotel environment to ring extensions at a set time, perhaps as a wake up call
- Analog Telephone/Device Support (including cordless) - so, fax machines, computer modems, etc. can be used from extensions
- * Answering Machine Emulation - from a key telephone, you can listen to voice mail messages as they are being left for you, either manually, or, automatically
- Appointment Reminder - set your phone to ring yourself at a specified time
- Authorization Management - users log on to the system to tell it where they are. You can consider this similar to a virtual extension.
- Authorize User - You can use a phone in a temporary manner, perhaps a lunch room phone which normally has not outside line access, but, you can temporarily allow access. You can also force authorization for every outside call from any phone for a given user.
- Auto Voltage Selection - the main system cabinet senses voltage, can be 110 or 220. But, the separate power supply is either 110 or 220 volts.
- * Auto-Answer - Your key telephone can go to speaker automatically on an incoming call.
- Auto-Attendant - There are 2 types, some systems come with an AAI, some come with a IVP. AAI allows up to 4 20 second greetings with options. IVP offers menu trees and far more sophisticated attendants.
- Automatic Line Selection - Each user can be assigned a line or group of lines to access when placing outgoing calls.
- Battery Backup: System - The power supply has room for 2 12V Batteries to be used as battery backup.
- Block On Call Termination - If the other party disconnects from a call, you will not get a dial tone if enabled, you'll get an error tone
- * Busy Inquiry - A key phone user can get information on who is holding on a line, who is using a line, or who a user is connected to.
- Busy Queuing - User or Group - Calls to your phone are placed into a busy queue. Calls can also go after a time limit to backup. A message can be played every so often.
- Call Back: Internal/External - Call back a busy number and let you know when it is no longer busy
- Call Backup - User / User Group - If a call cannot be answered by an entity, it can be sent elsewhere, to a person, auto attendant, group, etc.
- * Call Broker - Consider these as call appearances. Calls can be mapped to call appearance keys instead of specific trunk keys
- Call Conference - Up to 6 parties.
- Call Distribution Management - 5 methods, linear, circular, least busy, multiple, manual
- Call Follow Me - Forwards calls to your current extension instead of another phone
- Call Forwarding-Internal/External - Forward all calls, forward on no answer, forward on busy, forward on do not disturb. These are meant to be set by the user.
- Call Hold: Exclusive - Only the user putting the call on hold can retrieve the call. A timeout can be set so that the user is reminded, and, if not available, the call will go to their backup
- Call Hold: System - The held call can be retrieved by anyone. You can also specify a specific target user. There is a timeout as well.
- Call Intrusion-Intrude/Monitor - Break in on an existing call
- * Call Notify - You can be notified of calls ringing to monitored users, trunks, or group via a stutter tone.
- Call Park - If a target phone is busy, you can place a call into their hold queue.
- Call Pickup-Directed/Groups - Pickup calls not meant for you.
- Call Priority - Determine the order in which calls arrive to a particular user if several are coming in at the same time. Priority can be given to many factors, like external over internal, transferred, call back, etc.
- Call Progress Tones - The system can be set up with filters, for example, to detect fax tones
- Call Recall - Makes sure you do not forget calls on hold
- * Call Record - Record calls in real time, recordings go into voicemail. Up to 195 minutes per call.
- * Call Release (Conferenced Parties) - release a single user from a conference call
- Call Screen - You can ask for the callers name and optionally accept the call, send to voicemail, or, put on hold
- Call Transfer-Supervised/Unsupervised - Talk to the target user, or, simply blind transfer the call
- * Call Waiting - Be notified by a flashing light on the phone that a caller is holding for you
- * Caller ID - Caller ID does NOT display on non key phones even if they are caller ID capable.
- * Caller ID Redial - Redial from caller ID memory
- Centrex Compatibility - Take advantage of phone company services such as three way calling to route external calls.
- Day/Night Service - Route calls differently for day and night hours by trunk. Can be determined by system time, or, manually.
- Direct Inward Dialing (DID)
- Direct Inward System Access (DISA) - Allows remote users to call in and access the system, even place outgoing calls.
- * Direct Line Access - Pick a given trunk line to place or receive a call
- Disconnect Supervision: Clear Forward/Polarity Reversal - These are timing parameters dealing with certain phone company services
- Discriminating Ringing (Ordinary Telephones) - So you can know if a call is internal or external
- Distinctive Ringing (Key Telephones) - So you can know if a call is internal or external, 16 different tones to select from. Also, if close to another user, this allows you to know your calls
- Do Not Disturb (DND) - Causes your phone not to ring, and, avoids pages
- Do Not Disturb (DND) Override - Allows you to reach a user with DND enabled, with security of course
- External Paging - Can hook to an external paging system
- Flash - You can send flash signals to the CO
- Flexible Numbering Plan - Operator access, trunk access, port acccess, DISA access, and, extension numbers (2-4 digits) can have their assignment changed
- * Group Listening - Allows the handset and speaker to operate at the same time
- * Group Monitor - You can monitor a user group, see call monitor
- * Headset Mode - switch between speaker and headset
- Home Station - You can define an extension which will ring even if the user is not logged in, consider this the default
- Hospitality Package (Hotel/Motel) - Special configuration and features just for hotels and motels. You will want an operator console and 1 PVT-30D phone at a minimum. Features include guestroom status, DND display, occupied, needs service, etc. Rooms cannot change voicemail settings of course. Remotely activate room message light. Deactivate a rooms outside line access. Wakeup calls (including failed notifications).
- Least Cost Routing - When accessing outside lines, the system can take the phone # entered and determine the best way to complete the call, perhaps even enter a calling card number
- Message Waiting Indication: Audible/Visual - Plexus phones have voice mail lights. Single line phones may have voice mail lights, or, you may want to use the stutter tone so you know you have a message.
- Multiple Operators - Groups of users may have different operators than other groups
- Music-On-Hold - There is a music on hold port
- Multi Tenant - Using features like flexible numbering plan, multiple operators, trunk specific call routing, multiple auto attendants, you can support multiple businesses on 1 system
- * Name Labeling (System Resources) - Each user group, trunk, etc. can be give a alphanumeric name which shows on the key telephone for calls
- Non-Volatile Configuration Memory - Power outages lose no settings!
- Off-Hook Preference: Line/Station/Page/External Dial - A given phone can be set to automatically contact someone or something when the phone goes off hook
- Operator Console support - 60 key console is supported, also useful for hotels
- Pager Notification - You can be notified via a page when a new voicemail arrives in your inbox, or a group mailbox
- Paging - Paging is provided to external paging systems, and/or key speakerphones
- PBX Operation - You can operate as a key system, or, as a PBX system, or, both
- Privacy Release - You can allow on a per call basis other users to intrude on your call, or, monitor the call
- Programmable Timing Parameters - Settings to tune access to trunk lines
- Remote Call Forwarding - Instead of going to voice mail, a call will be transferred to a number of the users choice. If that does not answer, then voicemail will be used
- Remote Station Service - You can log into the system from a remote location via DISA, you will have access just like you were on site on a single line phone
- Remote System Management (RSM) - With an optional kit, you can allow the factory or your phone installer to program/change your system
- Remote Telephone Notification - Be notified via phone when you have new voicemail messages
- Serial Data Port - Used for configuration, management
- Silent Monitoring - Allows a user to listen in on a call, but, not be heard
- Speed Dial: Personal - Use keys on your phone for frequently dialed numbers
- Speed Dial: System - Store up to 100 numbers to be used by any user of the system via speed dial codes
- Station Message Detail Recording (SMDR) - Record call info for each call on the system, output through the serial port to a printer or call accounting system
- System Administrator Privilege - Certain functions are limited to users with this privilege
- System Clock - Used for call logging, time and date display on key phones, day/night modes
- Toll Restriction - You can specify numbers and prefixes which cannot be dialed
- Toll Restriction Override - Certain users may be allowed to dial numbers that are restricted
- Transfer Recall - If a call goes unanswered, you can be set to automatically get a call back
- Trunk Routing - For each trunk line, you can route calls via a fixed assignment to a user or group, DID, Caller ID
- Universal Answer: Specified/Unspecified - Allows you to answer any ringing phone or trunk
- Universal Retrieve - Retrieve calls from another user or groups hold queue
- Unsupervised Conference - System users can enable remote parties to conference without their involvement
- User Alias - A user may be assigned to multiple groups
- Voice Mail: Integrated or Third Party - Some systems come with voice mail, others do not. If you do not have voice mail on the system you bought, you can use an external system
Features with a * are not available to plain single line telephone extensions. |
