Business Phone
From TeleWiki
[edit] What is a Business Phone
A business phone is a multi-line telephone designed for use in a multi-employee office environment. Generally business phones use digital lines and operate via open standards (such as Session Interface Protocol and H232) or via proprietary standards implemented only by a given manufacturer. Nortel, Avaya, Cisco, and most other prominent manufacturers have proprietary standards unique to their product line.
A business telephone differs from an Analog Phone in its ability to handle and route calls from varying lines and/or extensions, and though some Phone Systems offer the ability to use analog single line phones the features are reduced or removed for the extraneous set.
[edit] Common Phone Features
Business phones from different manufacturers and product lines vary in features and functionality. While generally Phone System features are implemented by a Key Service Unit, there are some features or options that are implemented by the phone itself. The number of buttons, number of Phone Lines which the telephone supports, means of programming, and support for extras such as headsets often differ between phones - even ones in the same product line. VoIP Phones and other technically advanced offerings tend to offer more features at the phone level. For instance compatibility with the numerous different VoIP Protocols that exist is determined by the choice of phone rather then cabinet.
[edit] Resources
- (Non-VoIP) Business Phones at Business Phones Direct
- VoIP Business Phones at Business Phones Direct
