Feature Phones for the Enterprise

Given their

capability to perform more than one function, feature phones can

be a good buy for enterprises, especially small establishments

that either do not need or cannot afford an EPABX or a KTS. What

is good from the business users’ point of view is the fact

that there is a wide range available in the market both in terms

of price and specifications. Features like hands-free operation,

memory, CLI, call transfer and conferencing, message recording,

voicemail, two simultaneous call-making facility, two-way

speakers, storage of important numbers and even names, dial

lock, etc. can be put to productive use in offices. Besides,

there are many more functions which feature phones today have in

them.

Advantages notwithstanding, it is

important for users to understand the limitations of a feature

phone. They can not be expected to replace an EPABX or KTS in

situations where these telephone systems are needed. So, when

buying a feature phone, first look for what all functions it can

perform and make sure that the unit you are looking for has the

right usage features. A good decision would be of limiting your

feature search to those features that would improve the workflow

in the office. Besides, you also must keep your future needs in

mind. Those looking for ISDN feature phones must keep in mind

two things. One, these phones can only function on ISDN

connections and second, they are generally costlier than their

analog counterparts.

While there are brands that offer

maintenance services, it would be better if you knew a few

things about the upkeep and use of your feature phones. Given

below is the list of a few recurring problems and their

solutions along with a few tips on the use of some of the common

functions found in most feature phones.

Problem: The phone doesn’t

work at all.

What to do: Check the

following:

• Make sure the phone jack is
  
  working
• Check that the line cord is
  
  securely plugged in
• Check that the coil cord is
  
  securely plugged in the base and the handset
• Try a new line cord
• Try a new coil cord

Problem: Programming the

memories on the feature phone.

What to do: There are two

types of memory functions–One-touch priority keys (M1, M2, M3)

and/or two-touch keypad memory (0-9).

To programme priority keys:

• Pick up handset
• Press STORE
• Dial phone number
• Press STORE again
• Press M1, M2, or M3 for the
  
  location you want to store the number in
• Hang up, the number is now
  
  stored.
• Write the name of the party
  
  stored in the corresponding memory location on the memory
  
  index label.

To retrieve priority numbers:

• Pick up handset
• Press M1, M2 or M3
• Your call will be
  
  automatically dialed

To programme two-touch keypad

memory:

• Pick up handset
• Press STORE
• Dial phone number
• Press STORE again
• Press keypad number 0-9 for
  
  the location you want to store the number in
• Hang up, the number is now
  
  stored.
• Write the name of the party
  
  stored in the corresponding memory location on the memory
  
  index label.

To retrieve two-touch keypad

memory:

• Pick up handset
• Press MEMORY
• Press keypad number 0-9
• Your call will be
  
  automatically dialed