Terms that a Buyer of Business Telephone Systems Should
Know
 Definitions
marked with this symbol are taken from the North American
Association of Telecommunications Dealers Standards for
the Secondary Market, and reflect the standards held by Main Resource,
Inc. The NATD is an international trade association which represents
the interests of companies that provide voice and data communications
products and services. Membership in the NATD requires strict compliance
with NATD's code of ethics, created to assure customer's that the company
they are buying from is committed to maintaining the highest level of
ethics and responsibility in their business dealings.
Advance Replacement, where offered (Warranty)
Service
by which equipment covered under the supplier's warranty is replaced in
advance of receiving the malfunctioning equipment back from the customer.
This service is applicable only when the supplier has the equipment available,
and may incur a supplemental charge.
Analog
Short for analogous or "similar to". Refers to telephone transmission
and/or switching which is not digital. Great for use with cordless phones,
single line phones and the conventional home type telephone.
As Is
Equipment
that is bought or sold with no implied warranties. Should expect any condition
from inoperative to good. May or may not be complete. Buy at your own
risk.
As Is Tested/As Is Working
One
step up from "As Is" condition, but is tested; i.e., product
is in working order and is complete, unless otherwise specified. Buyer
should test upon receipt. There is no warranty beyond receipt.
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As shipped by manufacturer
The
specific configuration of a particular system as sold and shipped by the
original equipment manufacturer.
Auto Attendant
A dvice or a feature of soe PBX's and phone systems that answers a call
and lets the caller route their call to a specific extension or group.
No human intervention is required.
ACD
Automatic Call Distribution. A specialized phone system used for handling
many incoming phone calls and then distributing the calls in a logical
pre-programmed pattern. It also keeps records and tracks what it does
with great accuracy for future reference.
BLF
Busy lamp field. Shows who is on the phone.
Board
Card, Printed Circuit Board (PCB)
Cabinet
The electrical box that contains the board. Usually called the Key Service
Unit (KSU)
Call Forwarding
Feature which allows an incoming call to be sent elsewhere.
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Card
The PCB that plugs into the control unit or cabinet.
Centrex lines
Usually called the Key Service Unit (KSU)Service offered by the local
phone company from their local central office. It is basically a single
line, like a home phone, with added features. Features included can be
call forwarding, intercom, call transfer, toll restrictions and least
cost routing. Centrex lines are inexpensive and very reliable.
CO
Central Office. This is the location which houses the switch for a local
customer's service.
Common Equipment
All
equipment required for basic initialization of a specific PBX/CBX, KSU
or Hybrid system. Depending on OEM, software may or may not be included.
Conferencing
Connecting 3 or more people into one phone conversation whether inside
or outside the system. When purchasing a system, it is important to determine
how many conferences can be ongoing simultaneously.
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Cord
Refers to the handset cord (the curly cord that goes from the phone to
the handset), line cord (the flat cord between the wall jack and the phone).
Line cords come in 4, 6, and 8 conductor leads.
CPU
Central Processor Unit. This is where data is manipulated and instructions
are processed. Also referred to as the Central Processor Board (CPB).
CRT
Cathode Ray Tube. A terminal or screen used for programming or viewing
informations and messages from a computer or phone system.
Cutover
Successful
completion of installation and placement into service at the customer
site.
Data Port
Point of access to a computer that uses trunks or lines for transmitting
or receiving data.
Default
To return the system to its basic initial program.
Many times this is referred to as "factory" settings.
Deinstallation
The
shutoff and disconnect of machine power and the disassembly of a PBX switch
to prepare for its removal from a switch room facility. A properly executed
deinstallation will include all necessary parts for the reassembly, operation
and maintenance acceptance of the switch and any of its components at
the next location.
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Depot Repair Facility
A
repair facility to which equipment is shipped "out of house"
for repair and return. The user or on-site maintenance personnel may perform
the shipping to the Depot Repair Facility.
Designation (Desi) Cards and/or Strips
Used
to mark phone numbers, internal intercom numbers, etc., on telephone sets
and on consoles.
Diagnostics
O.E.M.
prescribed test procedure whose successful completion is normally required
for maintenance acceptance of a switch, cabinet, or peripheral piece of
equipment.
Dial Tone
The tone that is heard when accessing an outside line. The same tone
you hear from your home phone.
DID
Direct Inward Dial. Dialing a number to reach a specific person or department.
That call would only ring at the specified phone(s).
Digital
In displays it is used for the direct readout of digits. In recording
or computing it is the use of binary code to represent information.
DISA
Direct Inward System Access. A person can call into the phone system
and access its various features without operator assistance. This can
include, but is not limited to, making long distance calls or calling
another extension on the same system.
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Documented
A
quality system patterned and implemented from a commonly recognized and
accepted method. Requires documented evidence of operation.
Documented and Registered
This
means that the quality system chosen is recognized and approved by a Registrar,
and upon formal verification of documented quality system, a registration
certificate is granted. An example of this is ISO 9000.
Done Deal
Term
used between seller and buyer to signify that a sale has been agreed to
and an oral contract is now in effect, binding both parties to the agreed-to-sale
as if a written contract had been signed. A written contract submitted
later that does not conform to the original oral contract is not justification
for dissolving the original oral agreement unless both
parties agree to the new written contract.
DSS
Direct Station Select. This is a piece of equipment that is usually attached
to the operator's phone set. This unit then allows the operator to call
or transfer a call to a particular extension with one touch of the button.
In most cases this equipment also has lights that show what is happening
at each extention (busy, on hold, etc.)
DTMF
Dual Tone Multi Frequency. Tones that are heard when dialing on an outside
line or single line phone.
Extension
A unique number that identifies a phone. Extension
numbers usually start with 10, 20, 100, 301, 3001. Sometimes referred
to as an intercom number.
Factory Refurbished
Equipment
that has been returned to the factory, and the factory has replaced plastic,
repaired, upgraded boards, or otherwise reconditioned.
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"Flash" or "Hot" Cut
Same
as "Cutover" but it is done while existing
equipment is in operation and down time is reduced to a minimum.
FlexPath
FlexPath combined direct inward dialing and direct outware dialing, discounted
toll options and 800 Service into a single 24-channel 1.544 Mbps circuit
for turnk-side connections from a PBX to the public switched network.
Ground Start
A way of signaling on the subscribers trunks how the wires are grounded
in order to get dialtone. This is very important to know when ordering
your service from your local company. PBXs generally work best on ground
start trunks. Single line phones and key systems tend to work best with
"loop start" grounding.
Hand Set
The
part of the telephone held in the hand with which to speak and listen.
Handsfree
Talking on the phone without picking up the handset. This is just another
word for speakerphone. Some phones have handsfree for intercom calls only
and others allow handsfree for both intercom and outside calls.
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Hookswitch
Mechanical or electrical switch used to terminate a call. The handset
usually depresses the hookswitch when it is returned to the cradle.
Hybrid Key System
A
key system which has some of the attributes of both a key telephone system
and a PBX.
Installation
The
physical hook-up and diagnostic testing of a PBX switch, cabinet, or peripheral
item prior to a cutover and maintenance acceptance by the maintaining
vendor.
Intercom(ICM)
The way inside callers communicate to other people using their phones.
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Interconnect
A company that sells, installs and maintains telephone
systems.
Key Service Unit (KSU)
A
small cabinet which contains all the switching electronics of a business
key telephone system.
Key Service Unit (KSU) (Expansion Cabinet)
To
include: Power Cord, Common Equipment (Circuit packs as configured and
shipped by manufacturer), Power Supply, Door/Cover.
Key Set
A telephone having buttons that can be used for call holding, auto-dialing,
line pick-up and other features.
KSU
Key Service Unit. The main cabinet that holds all of the switching electronics
of a business phone system. This is the link between you at your desk
and the CO.
Last Number Redial
Hit button and the phone will redial the last number dialed.
LCD
Liquid crystal display, usually called a display phone. Can be added
to some phones when needed.
LCR
Least Cost Routing. Feature that automatically chooses the lowest cost
phone line to the destination.
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Like New
Excellent
condition. Under normal conditions could pass as new; i.e., not used,
but not necessarily in O.E.M. packaging.
Line
This is the electrical path (two wires) between you and the phone company.
Line Cord
The cord that goes form the wall to the phone.
Loop Start
A way of getting dial tone by completing a loop. This is accomplished
when you pick up your receiver and the "loop" is then completed.
Maintenance Contract
Contract
guaranteeing the repair of a PBX switch to support it at operations levels
for a predetermined fixed term and fixed price.
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MDF
Main Distribution Frame. The panel where cables from the KSU are terminated.
Message Waiting
A light or characters on the phone's display that indicates that a message
needs to be retrieved.
Minimum Services
Some
items are not offered by all Secondary Market Vendors. These are the minimum
standards and definitions for all Common Industry items offered by any
and/or all companies.
Modems
Equipment which converts digital signals to analog signals and vice-versa.
Modems are used to send data over the telephone network.
Modular Cord
A cord that has plastic clips on the ends also known as a line cord.
Modular Jack
The outlet a telephone is plugged into. (RJ11)
Mounting Hardware
Any
and all hardware necessary to mount a KSU, Telephone Set, etc., on a wall
or shelf.
Moves, Changes, Additions
Work
performed on a PBX switch or peripheral item after installation, including,
but not limited to, Cutover, Deinstallation,
Diagnostics, Flash or Hot Cut.
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Music On Hold
Background music or messages heard when someone is put on hold.
New
Generally
defined as being sold by authorized vendor of the O.E.M. carrying the
O.E.M. standard warranty.
Non-Documented
A
quality system patterned and implemented from a commonly recognized and
accepted method. Does not require documented evidence of operation.
O.E.M.
Original
Equipment Manufacturer.
OHVA
Off Hook Voice Announce. Allows someone to call you if you are on the
phone. Depending on your phone this "announcement" may or may
not be heard by the person you are on phone with. We recommend you be
very careful with this feature.
OPX
Off Premises Extension. This is a telephone located someplace other than
the building where the phone system is located. An example would be if
you wanted your main office phone number to ring at the office and at
home without having your home phone be part of the office phone system.
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Otherwise Specified
Any
other parameters outside these definitions and/or NATD Standards at time
of sale, contract or "done deal".
Out of Service/Used
Equipment
taken from service. Expected to work and be complete.
Packaging
Packaging
should be adequate to protect the equipment for shipping by common carrier
of choice.
Paging
Upon dialing an appropriate code or pressing a button you may make a
paging announcement through loudspeakers installed in your office or through
the phones themselves.
PBX
Private
Branch Exchange. A switch used inside a private business (opposed to one
serving the general public). Various manufacturers have different names
for these such as: PABX, CBX, EPABX, etc.
PCB
Printed Circuit Boards
Peripheral Equipment
Equipment
not integral to, but working with a telephone system.
Port
The entrance to or exit from a system or network. This could involve
the number of available stations or lines that can be installed on a system
or an individual card.
Power Supply
That
part of the phone which converts the normal 120 or 240 volts AC power
to AC and DC at the various voltages and frequencies as needed by the
components and circuits of a system.
Refund Policy
Refunds
may be granted at the discretion of the supplier and supplier's policies.
Generally ther is a 10% to 20% restocking fee, plus all shipping and handling
charges on returns unless previous arrangements have been made.
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Refurbished/Recycled (Cosmetic Only)
Enhancing the cosmetic appearance by using one or more of the following
processes:
1. Cleaning the plastic;
2. Buffing the plastic;
3. Painting the plastic;
4. Supplying new plastic;
Release
The
relinquishing of a piece of equipment to a purchaser/user upon fulfillment
or anticipated fulfillment of contractual obligations, whether written
or oral.
Repaired/Refurbished/Recycled
Equipment
is repaired to original working condition, but does not include refurbishment
or recycling process except where required to bring equipment ot working
condition.
Reset
Unplugging or turning off the power to a device. Some KSU's have a reset
switch.
Ring Gen (90 VAC)
A device that produces 90-100 Volts AC. Used to ring a single line device.
(Voice Mail, Auto Attendant)
RJ11
The modular jack where phones or devices are plugged in (wall jack).
Single Line
A connection (such as your home phone) that can only access one line.
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S/L port
A port on a card that will run single line phones.
Software
The instructions the CPU uses to perform tasks. Stored on disks or chips
(EPROMS).
Speakerphone
Feature which allows the operator to converse with another party either
inside the system or outside without picking up the handset.
Stations
The ports or the telephone instruments.
Technical Support
Technical
assistance provided over the telephone or, in certain instance, on site
to an Interconnect or End User. There may or may not be a service charge
if and when this service is provided.
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Telephone Set/Console
Unless
otherwise specified includes: Hand Set, Hand Set Cord, Mounting Cord and
Stand, Designation Strips, Power Supply as specified by OEM part number.
Touch Tone
The tones that are generated when dialing out or pressing a number on
the dial pad. (DTMF)
Trunk
This is the communication path or channel between the telephone company
or switching center and you.
Unused
Equipment
never used and still in O.E.M. original packaging with all appropriate
documents and user guides. May or may not carry the o.E.M. standard warranty.
Used
See
"Out of Service".
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User Guides
A
booklet, brochure or form detailing pertinent user information for a Telephone
Set, Console, etc.
Version
When new features are introduced or problems resolved, changing the software.
Voice Mail
A device, usually a computer, that answers calls and allows the caller
to leave a message, gives the ability to send interoffice messages to
groups, allows employees to retrieve messags from both inside and outside
the office and has an auto attendant feature.
Warranty
Span
of time that equipment will be repaired or replaced due to failure. Does
not include reimbursement of engineer's fees required for replacement.
May not include equipment failure due to abuse or destruction by either
intentional or unintentional means.
Work Order
Internal
document used by a remarketer specifying:
1. Work to be performed;
2. Machine or item on which work is to be performed;
2. Required completion date;
4. Cost of work; and
5. Customer purchase order and/or other pertinent billing information.
This document is used internally to:
1. Implement required work;
2. Monitor progress; and
3. Issue final billing.
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