Instruction manual

DEFINITY® Business Communications System and GuestWorks® Issue 6

Overview

555-231-208

Issue 1

April 2000

Desktop Solutions

4-2Telephones and workstations

Analog (single-line) telephones

Single-line telephones are an economical choice for users who do not handle

many calls and do not use modems and fax machines extensively.

All signals between analog telephones and the system are in analog form over a

pair of wires. Only one incoming call can ring at a time, but the telephone can

actually handle two calls — one active and one on hold. Depending on the partic-

ular telephone, you can alternate between two calls or set up a three-way confer-

ence using the switchhook or flash button. You can access voice features by

either entering access codes from your touch-tone keypad or pressing feature

buttons. Several models of analog telephones are available.

DCP telephones

Digital telephones using digital communications protocol (DCP) employ digital

transmission for integrated voice and data signals and control signals.

Transmission is over a connection consisting of one or two pairs of wires. Each

connection supports one signaling channel and two information (voice and data)

channels.

DCP telephones are used most effectively by those who have a high volume of

calls, require access to multiple applications or databases, use system features

heavily, or require messaging services. These telephones can be used with per-

sonal computers to expand their capabilities.

These telephones provide the full range of features on your desktop. In addition to

multiline and multifunction capabilities, they provide access to integrated voice

and data applications and messaging services. Some models include displays.

DCP telephones can actually save you money by reducing the number of lines,

modems, and ports that would normally be needed for analog facilities.

ISDN BRI telephones

Like the digital DCP telephones, ISDN telephones transmit voice, data, and

control signals digitally. With the ISDN telephones however, the transmission

employs the world-wide standard BRI protocol between the system and the

telephone.

Also, like the DCP telephones, these telephones can be used with personal com-

puters to expand their digital capabilities. The system’s family of ISDN telephones

include several models which include unique features such as call logs and per-

sonal directories.