WHAT'S THIS FOR - This page is our section aimed at de-mystifying the telecom industry.

There are 11 entries in this glossary.

All

BRI

(Basic Rate for ISDN Phone System) ISDN2 provides dual channels (or lines in old money). These can be used for two separate voice or data sessions (e.g. the Internet), or one of each type - simultaneously. Each can transmit at 64Kbps (or 128Kbps for a video conference session). > Why? This is always 64 Kbps; it doesn't drop down to lower speeds like a traditional analogue line so your web-browsing connection will be much faster.will be much faster.

CALL FORWARDING

CALL FORWARDING A feature of an ISDN phone system, call-forwarding enables incoming calls to be diverted to a different destination automatically, for example a mobile phone or another office.

Why? This would be perfect for out-of-hours!

CLI

(Calling Line Identification) This facility, of an ISDN Phone System, lets you to see the identity of the person contacting you. You in turn are informed of this (their name/company) on your ISDN Phone System LCD phone (that's why you should have display sets). The benefit here is that your ISDN Phone System can treat each number differently, sending it to an alternative phone or group for instance. It also allows you to operate computer-telephony integration (CTI), where a client’s details can pop-up on your PC monitor as they ring you (how about that for customer-service)!

Why? The benefits here are a far more efficient and flexible method of dealing with clients.

DDI

(Direct Dialling In) A key function of an ISDN phone system, is the ability to assign unique numbers to people and departments, enabling callers to dial them directly without going through an operator.

Why? This significantly improves your traffic management and sends them to the right individual, great customer services!

DECT

(Digital Enhanced Cordless Telephony) D.E.C.T. handsets provide wireless communications within your premises. The hand-sets can be fully integrated with the ISDN phone system, allowing users to make, take and transfer securely as they move around the work-space.

Display Phones (LCD Display Phones)

Display Phones - Most modern ISDN phone systems offer important help via the screen. If the system is fitted with cheaper non-display phones this is obviously then not accessible. The result being, your staff does not use the system to its full potential. Why purchase such a superb system and then strangle it? Would you get a state of the art TV and hang net curtains in front it? A state-of-the-art ISDN phone system is brimming over with clever, sexy functionality, too many for folk to bother using, unless it is made easy for them. All of this is quite apart from the capability to answer in multiple company, department or customer’s names. If the system is installed with ISDN (as it certainly should be), not having LCD-phones means some of the best ISDN features such as C-L-I and D-D-I are no longer available.

Extensions

(Integrated Services Digital Network) Extensions: (that’s telephones on desks) However don't forget the fax or PDQ machine and even some remote-monitored alarm units such as Red Care from BT.

ISDN

(Integrated Services Digital Network) ISDN is a dial-up public network service for voice-and-data. Charging is based on rental and tariffs. Without delving deeply into 'techie stuff', ISDN is what makes call forwarding, cli, dect, ddi & cti all possible - so don't delay GET ISDN TODAY!!

LCD

Display Phones (LCD Display Phones) Most modern phone systems offer a great deal of help via the LCD display. If the system is fitted with cheaper non display phones this is obviously then not available. The result being, your staff do not use the system to its full potential. Why buy such a great system and then strangle it? Would you buy a state of the art TV and hang net curtains in front of the screen? State of the art phone systems are full to bursting point with clever, sexy functionality, too many for people to bother using, unless it is made easy for them. All of this is quite apart from the ability to answer in different company, department or customer names. If the system is installed with ISDN (as it certainly should be), not using LCD phones means some of the best ISDN features such as CLI and DDI are no longer available.

Aliases: Display Phones (LCD Display Phones)

Non-display Phones

Non-Display Phones - Most modern ISDN phone systems offer important help via the screen. If the system is fitted with cheaper non-display phones this is obviously then not accessible. The result being, your staff does not use the system to its full potential. Why purchase such a superb system and then strangle it? Would you get a state of the art TV and hang net curtains in front it? A state-of-the-art ISDN phone system is brimming over with clever, sexy functionality, too many for folk to bother using, unless it is made easy for them. All of this is quite apart from the capability to answer in multiple company, department or customer’s names. If the system is installed with ISDN (as it certainly should be), not having LCD-phones means some of the best ISDN features such as C-L-I and D-D-I are no longer available.

Ports

Ports: This is simply a term for trunks and extensions.