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.
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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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