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Which Phone System is Right for Me? The MacroSMB systems range in capability up to 112 CO Lines per box, and, up to 72 local extensions (really, up to 120 CO Lines + Extensions combined). It is possible to link 2 systems together, this virtually doubles the nunmber of lines and extensions. The MacroSMB 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 10 slots leftover for future expansion. Cards add features and ports, 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 (say you try and change somehting yourself and wipe out the configuration...). The support folks keep a copy of your configuration. So, while it may be a couple of hundred bucks, remember, it also allows your system to be set up for you!
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
- T1 CAS cards allow connections directly to the smart jack at the demarc, csu / dsu is built in. A T-1 can support up to 24 phone lines, and, you can have 2 per system.
- 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 - Some bundled systems come with voice mail, others do not. Voicemail is quantified by "ports", a 16 port VM system for example can support 16 simultaneous voicemail users.
Features with a * are not available to plain single line telephone extensions. |
