Business Telephone Systems - Office Telephone Systems, Manchester UK

AC15	A signalling system used for linking two pieces of telecommunications equipment (e.g. two telephone systems) over a distance. See also DC5

Account Code	A way of attaching a "tag" to a call record. This might be used to indicate that the call is to be charged to a particular account or to indicate the outcome of a call (a sale was made, a brochure requested etc.) Call Management systems can then produce reports listing all calls with the same account codes. Account codes can be attached to incoming and outgoing calls, and it can be made mandatory for an extension user to enter an account code before a call is made.

ACD	Automatic Call Distribution. Allows all incoming calls to be distributed equally amongst a group of people. Typically used in a call centre where operators (agents) log in to make or receive calls. ACD systems provide facilities for monitoring the agents performance and the performance of the Call Centre as a whole. An incoming call will be automatically routed to the first available agent, whether that is an agent who has been free the longest, or an agent that has just become free.

ADSL	Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line. High bandwidth network connection for faster data transfer (connection generally allowing more bandwidth downloading than uploading). Increases efficiency and reduces costs. see Broadband

Alpha Tagging	The assignment of an alpha-numeric name to a facility. For example when called by an extension your phone can display the name of the caller rather than the extension number. When an incoming DDI call is received a name can be shown which relates to the number that was dialled, enabling one person to answer calls in a variety of different ways, e.g. in the names of different companies.

Analogue Device	A device that can be attached to an ordinary analogue telephone line, such as a telephone, fax machine, cordless phone, answering machine, modem etc.

ATM	Asynchronous Transfer Mode. A transition and switching technique capable of supporting voice, video and data communications. It is unique in that each piece of information is addressed and is of the same length. This allows very high speed communications.

ARS	Automatic Route Selection. A technique where the telephone system looks at the digits being dialled to make an outside call and automatically routes the call via an alternate route. Best possible cost efficiencies for outgoing or inter site calls. See also LCR

Auto-Attendant	A voicemail feature that allows callers to be automatically transferred to extensions or departments by dialling digits. A tone dialling phone is normally required to do this.

Bandwidth	The speed at which a circuit can carry data. The more bandwidth, the faster the data transfer, the lower the costs.	[TOP]

Basic Rate	Abbreviated to BRI (basic rate interface) or ISDN2. An ISDN circuit providing 2 x 64 kbit/sec bearer channels for use by data or speech and one 16 kbit/sec control channel. Two independent calls can be carried at the same time on one BRI circuit.

Battery Back-up	see UPS

Bell	see Loud Ringing Bell

BLF	Busy Lamp Field. Visual indication of the status of lines or extensions through LEDs.

Bluetooth	Wireless communication protocol for several devices to communicate on a common format. Your mobile phone could transfer data to your keyset, PDA, PC or Printer etc. Similar to infra-red.

BRI	see Basic Rate

Broadband	BT's brand of Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line see ADSL

Bulletin blueBoldSmall	An electronic version of a notice blueBoldSmall. Users can access the bulletin blueBoldSmall to obtain information. When applied to voicemail systems it indicates a system of menus that allow the caller to navigate to the information he wants, for example to find out what films are showing at a cinema.

Call Barring	The prevention of calls to certain destinations, e.g. overseas calls or calls to premium rate numbers may be barred.	[TOP]

Call Forwarding	Also known as call diversion. By dialling a code an extension user can divert incoming calls to another destination. The destination may be another extension, a group of extensions, the operator, or an external number, for example a mobile phone. Different types of diversion are usually possible, e.g. Diversion of All calls, Diversion on Busy, Diversion on no reply.

Call Logging	Data recorded about calls made or received through a telephone system. This data can then be used for reporting. See Call Management. See also Station Message Detail Recording.

Call Management	The use of specialist software to analyse and report on call records which are output from a telephone system and recorded on computer disk. The results can identify misuse, allocate costs to departments and verify the adequacy of resources.

Call Park	A call can be parked by one user and then retrieved by another. Particularly useful when loudspeaker announcements are made, e.g. "Telephone call. Joe Smith dial 811". If Joe goes to any phone and dials 811 he will get the call that has been parked there for him.

Carrier	Telephone service provider eg. BT, Cable and Wireless, NTL etc.

Cat 5	Abbreviation for Category 5. Strictly speaking this is a specification for the transmission performance of a data cable. However it is commonly used to describe a building cabling system that allows the user to easily route voice and data circuits to any wall socket. It is designed to be network independent and to allow different computer and telephone systems to co-exist on the same cabling.

CCU	Central Control Unit. The box or cabinet housing the central equipment that controls the telephone system.

Centrex	A generic name for a feature offered by some Public Network Operators. Users have individual direct exchange lines but calls between users are free of charge and calls can be transferred between users. A limited set of features is provided to give something that approximates to a virtual telephone system. BT brands for this service are Featureline and Featurenet.

CLI	Calling Line Identity is the capture of the caller's number. There are two types of CLI, a Network CLI is used by network operators to identify the source of the call. It is available whether or not the caller is ex-directory but is never passed on to the called party. The user CLI is passed on to the called party, providing that the caller has not withheld it. By default it is the same as the network CLI but can be changed by the caller's equipment. For example in a firm a salesman might want his direct dial number to go out but the Managing Director might want his secretary's number to go out when he makes a call. CLI is used for the "1471" service where you dial 1471 to find out who called and can also be used to display the number on a phone or computer. CLI is not available on some networks (particularly from overseas) and is usually an optional feature from the network provider (the subscriber has to pay to receive it).

CLIP	Calling Line Identity Presentation. A service that provides a called party with the Calling Line ID of the caller. Usually a paid-for option. See also Connected Line Presentation.

CLIR	Calling Line Identification Restriction. Would s[TOP] your own CLI being presented to the called party.

COLP	Connected Line Presentation. A service which provides the caller with the identity of the person he has connected to. For example you may dial 01234 567890 but that number may be diverted to another. COLP will provide you with the identity of the person you have actually connected to. The identity is typically the telephone number of the connected party. This is a paid-for service from the network provider and compatible equipment is required to make use of it.

Conferencing	The joining together of more than two telephone users in a single call. Typically a call will be established between two persons, one will then hold the call, call a third party and then press a button to join all three parties in one call.

Contact Centre	A progression of the call centre merging customer calls with other media such as internet and email in conjunction with CRM applications. A unified approach to customer contact improving customer service levels leading to increased customer acquisition, satisfaction and retention.

Convergence	The merging of voice and data hardware solutions such as the server based PBX. More efficiency and cost benefits becoming available through convergence. In addition Voice switched Over IP is driven by convergent technology.

CPS	Carrier Pre-selection. Carrier Pre-Selection uses network access technology, so voice traffic originating from your site will be routed directly to your chosen network with no need for prefix codes. The "selection" of the preferred provider is done automatically at point of entry (the local exchange) to the public voice network.

CRM	Customer Relationship Management. A software application to deliver a single view of the customer.

CTI	Computer and Telephony Integration. The exchange of information between computers and telephone systems eg. when a call comes in the telephone could pass to the computer the telephone number of the person calling. This can deliver "Screen Popping" - the presentation of database information based on an incoming caller's CLI. Information is commonly passed between telephone and computer systems using an Application Program Interface (API) of which the two most common are TAPI (Telephony API) and TSAPI (Telephony System API). CTI is commonly divided into First Party CTI, where a telephone and a computer are directly connected, and Third Party CTI, where the telephone system and the computer network communicate through a telephony server, with no direct physical connection between the telephone and the user's computer.

Custom Service Mode	Used in voicemail to indicate a service where the caller hears a menu of choices from which he can choose by pressing buttons on his phone. These choices might transfer him to an extension, group of extensions, or the operator, enable him to leave a message or listen to information, or may offer him other menus.

D DC5	A signalling system used to communicate between two adjacent pieces of telecommunications equipment, for example between a telephone system and a router or multiplexer or between two co-located telephone systems. For communication over longer distances DC5 can be converted to AC15. See also AC15	[TOP]

DDI	Direct Dialling Inwards enabling outside callers to call directly to a user's extension. Normally available on ISDN lines. A company may have 10 lines and 100 telephone numbers. When any of the telephone numbers are dialled by an incoming caller the call is put on to any line that is free. At the same time the dialled number is passed to the telephone system. The phone system uses this to route the call to the intended recipient. Typically used to provide direct dial numbers for extension users, fax machines, departments or groups of extensions. This is much more efficient than the older method of using different sets of lines for different numbers because all lines can be used for all numbers and so less lines need to be rented overall to provide the same level of service. Also decreases the number of calls that have to be answered and transferred by an operator.

DECT	Digital Enhanced Cordless Telephony. A technology that provides greater clarity and smaller handsets for cordless phones. There is a common standard called GAP (General Access Protocol) that allows handsets and base stations from different manufacturers to work together.

Delayed Ringing	A feature often used to provide an overflow if the switchblueBoldSmall operator is busy or absent. Incoming calls are sent to the operator but other extensions have delayed ringing, so they will start ringing if the call is not answered after a pre-set time.

Dial up	A communications link that connects a terminal and a computer via the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN).

DISA	Direct Inward Station Access. Provides callers with single-digit access to extensions or ring groups.

DPNSS	Digital Private Network Signaling System. Developed in the early 1980s, a protocol to support connection between telecom equipment from different vendors digital equipment. See also QSIG

DSS	Direct Station Selector. A unit that fits alongside a telephone to turn it into an operator console. Typically containing a large number of programmable buttons that can be used to call and to indicate the status of extensions (stations).

DSL	Similar to ADSL, but allows the same amount of bandwidth in both directions.

E+M	Another name for DC5	[TOP]

Ethernet	A common method of networking computers in a LAN.

Extranet	An intranet that is accessible to computers that are not physically part of a company's own private network, but that is not accessible to the general public. For example, to allow vendors and business partners to access a company website.

Extension Lock	A facility to prevent unauthorised phone use. An extension can be locked by entering a code and unlocked by entering a password. When locked the phone is subject to call barring, perhaps restricting it to internal and emergency service calls only.

Firewall	A security system that prevents computers on a network from communicating directly with computers on another network. Instead, all communication is routed through a proxy server, which determines whether a particular message or file may pass to or from the host.

GAP	General Access Protocol - see DECT	[TOP]

Gateway	A hardware or software set up that translates between two dissimilar protocols, for example AOL has a gateway that translates between its internal, proprietary email format and Internet email format. Another meaning is to describe any mechanism for providing access to another system.

Group Ringing	A group of extensions is rung by dialling a number. The group may be set as a ring group, in which case all of the extensions ring at once, or it may be set as a Hunt Group, in which case the system will find a free extension in the group to take the call.

GSM	Global Satellite Mobile. Improved call security and quality.

GUI	Graphical User Interface. A program interface, such as Microsoft Windows, that takes advantage of the computer's graphics capabilities to make the program easier to use. Well-designed graphical user interfaces can free the user from learning complex command languages. A GUI will usually feature basic components such as a pointing device (mouse or trackball) to allow you to select objects, icons (small pictures) that represent commands, a desk[TOP] area, where icons are grouped, and a menu for the user to select a command from.

Hunt Groups	A means of finding a free extension to take a call. Calls are directed to a Hunt Group and will search for a free extension to take the call. Various hunting types are available, First Free or Terminal Hunting will search for the first free extension in the group, so this person gets most of the calls. Circular or UCD (Uniform Call Distribution) Hunting will share calls equally over the group.	[TOP]

Intranet	A private network inside a company or organisation that uses the same kinds of software that you would find on the public Internet, but which is only for internal use.

IP	Internet Protocol. Access to standard global communications protocol.

IP Address	A series of characters that uniquely identifies the terminal equipment which is the origin or destination of data being transmitted.

ISP	Internet Service Provider. Allows you to connect to the Internet.

ISDN	The Integrated Services Digital Network. An internationally agreed method of providing digital communication over the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). Enables the benefits of DDI, CLI, Trunk-to-Trunk Transfer and faster data transfer. See also Basic Rate (ISDN2) and Primary Rate (ISDN30).	[TOP]

ISDN2	See Basic Rate

ISDN30	See Primary Rate

IVR	Interactive Voice Response. IVR systems automate routine transactions, such as requests for literature or information by using voice recognition or pone keypad operations.

Keyphone	A telephone for use with a particular make and model of telephone system which incorporates features allowing it to communicate with the telephone system and display information, typically by means of lights, buttons and visual displays.	[TOP]

Keysystem	A telephone system designed for all extensions to answer incoming calls. The distribution of all incoming calls across a business or team.

LAN	Local Area Network. Enables PCs to communicate data between each other and common devices or servers also connected to the network.

LCD	Liquid Crystal Display. A display panel found on many phones capable of showing text prompts or messages.	[TOP]

LED	Light Emitting Diode. A semi-conductor device used as an indicator lamp. Typically these are incorporated into buttons allowing visual indication of calls, voicemail messages and status of other lines and extensions - see BLF

LCR	Least Cost Routing. A technique where the telephone system modifies the digits dialled by a user making an outside call in order to route the call via a low-cost carrier. Typically the routing decision is based on what number has been dialled and it is often possible to have several carriers configured on the same telephone system to take advantage of the cheapest route to any destination. See also Automatic Route Selection (ARS). Typically ARS incorporates and builds on the capabilities of LCR.

Least Cost Routing	see LCR

Live Call Screening	A facility available on some voicemail systems which allows someone who has diverted his calls to voicemail to listen to a caller leaving a message and pick up the call if he wants to.

Loud Ringing Bell	An audio warning device to alert someone that a call is ringing. It may simply be an extension bell to a telephone or it could be a set of bells around the building so that anyone can pick up the incoming call.

Mailbox	A reference to the location where voicemail messages for a particular user are stored.	[TOP]

MAPI	Microsoft Application Protocol Interface. Protocol designed to ensure all Microsoft applications can communicate with other applications in a standard and documented format.

Meter Pulse Detection (MPD)	A BT service for their analogue lines, to allow a subscriber to accurately establish the charge of a telephone call. To a subscriber, it was a Meter Pulse received by monitoring equipment down their telephone line. To BT, it was a Charge Unit recorded on the subscriber's meter in the local BT exchange. During a call, the first pulse would be transmitted the moment the call connected. Subsequent pulses would be transmitted at time intervals thereafter, the interval depending upon the telephone number dialled and the time of day. Hence, the more expensive the call, the shorter the time interval (and therefore the more Meter Pulses), and vice-versa. No new supply or additional supply of Meter Pulsing has been provided since the end of December 1998.

MSN	Multiple Subscriber Numbering. An optional feature of ISDN2 lines allowing up to 10 telephone numbers to be assigned to a single line so that devices connected to that line can be called individually. Can be used to produce a limited version of DDI.

Music on Hold	An audio signal that is played to a caller on hold to reassure him that he has not been cut off. Typically music, it may be interspersed with advertising messages or could be simply a reassuring beep played every few seconds.

Network	The equipment and transmission facilities for communication between computer systems.

Network [TOP]ology	Network [TOP]ology is the study of the arrangement or mapping of the elements (links, nodes, etc.) of a network, especially the physical (real) and logical (virtual) interconnections between nodes. A LAN (local area network) is an example of a network that exhibits both a physical and a logical [TOP]ology. Any given node in the LAN will have one or more links to one or more other nodes in the network and the mapping of these links and nodes onto a graph results in a geometrical shape that determines the physical [TOP]ology of the network. Similarly, the mapping of the flow of data among the nodes on the network determines the logical [TOP]ology. It is significant to note that whilst the physical and logical [TOP]ologies may be identical in any particular network equally they also can be different.

Night Service	Most telephone systems have at least two operating modes, Day Service and Night Service. These are typically used to route incoming calls to a different destination and to apply call barring to prevent unauthorised use of the phones by security or cleaning staff.	[TOP]

Node	The term node as used in the field of telecommunications refers to an originating or terminating point of information or signal flow in a telecommunications network. In Network [TOP]ology the term may also refer to a terminal of any branch of a network or an interconnection common to two or more branches of a network. In this context the term "terminal" means a device that is able of sending, receiving, or sending and receiving information over a communications channel in what ever format voice or data being examples of information transmitted. Also, the term "network" as used in this context refers to an interconnection of three or more communicating entities.

Overflow Group	See Delayed Ringing.

Packet Switching	The method used to move data and vocie around a network. In packet switching, all the data is broken up into chunks - each chunk has the address of where it came froma nd where it is going. This enables chunks of data from many different sources to co-mingle on the same lines and be sorted and directed along different routes by special machines along the way. This allows many people to use the same lines at the same time.

Parallel Port	Port in a PC used for the connection of external equipment such as a printer, scanner etc. See also serial port.	[TOP]

Patch panel	Cabling connection point. This is typically the part of a structured network cabling system (cat 5) that enables switching of services either voice or data to RJ45 sockets.

PBX / PABX	Private Branch Exchange / Private Automated Branch Exchange. Allows central control of incoming call via a single operator.

PMS	Property Management System. Hotel / Motel "Front of House" software package.

POT	Plain Ordinary Telephone. Used to distinguish an ordinary analogue telephone from a keyphone. Also known as an SLT (single line telephone).

PRI	Primary Rate Interface - See Primary Rate

Primary Rate	An ISDN circuit providing (in Europe) up to 30 x 64 kbit/sec bearer channels for use by data or speech and two 16 kbit/sec control channels. Up to 30 independent calls can be carried at the same time on one Primary Rate.

PSTN	Public Switched Telephone Network. Everyone connected to standard communications platform.

Pulse Dialling	Also known as LD (loop-disconnect) dialling. A method of dialling where the telephone is alternately disconnected and connected to signal to the exchange. For example if a digit 5 is dialled this could be signalled by sending 5 disconnection pulses. The frequency and length of the pulses and the number of pulses for each digit can vary from country to country. This dialling method is now mostly superseded by tone dialling.

QSIG	Q signalling standard. A standard dial up protocol designed to give feature transparency between systems at different sites across the PSTN. Allows products from different vendors to work together. See also DPNSS	[TOP]

QoS	Quality of Service. Used to provide acceptable voice quality across IP networks.

Router	Routes data traffic. Can be used to connect LANs together or as a single connection point between a LAN and an ISP.	[TOP]

SBUS	The digital connection from a telephone system to a PC. Provides the ability to utilise ISDN lines for voice and data traffic.	[TOP]

Screen Popping	The initialising and presentation of database information selected using the CLI. Reduces the time spent searching for customer service history etc.

Serial Port	Port in a PC used for the connection of external equipment such as an external modem. Also used for connection of call-logging, CTI, etc. See also parallel port.

SIP	Session Internet Protocol. SIP is an industry standard, put simply, it allows businesses to create a single, pure IP connection between enterprises and telephone carriers thus enabling businesses to make and receive calls over Broadband. SIP Trunks are just another type of trunk connection, just like ISDN2e & ISDN30e but are much more cost effective to rent.

Soft PBX	A software application that provides server based telephony. Performing similar functions to a hardware PBX, they offer a range of PBX functions , voicemail and integration with other server based applications such as Unified Messaging and contact management systems.

SLT	Single Line Telephone. See POT

SMDR	Station Message Detail Recording. See Call Logging.

Switch	See PBX / PABX.

TAPI	Telephony Application Program Interface. A standard devised by Microsoft Corporation for communication between a computer terminal (workstation) and a telephone extension. There are several versions of the TAPI standard and various options within the standard so it should not be assumed that all the features of one TAPI compliant device will be available on any other TAPI compliant device. See also TSAPI.	[TOP]

TCP / IP	Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol. Set of layered protocols that enable shared applications among PCs in a high speed communications environment.

TDM	Time Division Multiplexing. Traditional telephony technology employed to connect two parties in a call via a PBX.

Tele	A prefix meaning `at a distance', as in `telepathy', `telemetry', `television', 'telephone' or even 'telescope'.

Telecommunications	Telecommunication is the transmission of signals over a distance for the purpose of communication. This process typically involves the sending of electromagnetic waves by electronic transmitters, but it originated before the advent of telephone systems with the use of systems such as signals drums, semaphore or alpine horns. Today, telecommunication is extensive, with items such as the television, radio and telephone, are common in many parts of the world. There are also many networks that connect these devices, including computer networks, public telephone networks, and the Internet. Any transmission, emission or reception of sign, signals, writings, images & sounds or information of any nature by wire, radio, visual or other electromagnetic systems.

Telecommunications Network	A telecommunications network is a network of telecommunications links and nodes set up so that messages may be passed from one part of the network to another via numerous links and through a range of nodes.

Tone Dialling	Also known as MF (multi-frequency) or DTMF (dual tone multi-frequency). A dialling method which generates audio tones when digits are dialled. These tones are sent down the line and can be detected by telephone systems or other devices.

Trunk	A telephone exchange line to receive and make calls.
Trunk-to-Trunk Transfer	A facility which allows an incoming call received on one line to be transferred to someone on another line, i.e. both callers are external to the telephone system. Typical uses include transferring an incoming caller to someone's mobile phone.

TSAPI	Telephony System Application Program Interface. A standard devised by Novell Corporation for communication between a network server and a telephone exchange. Because it is working at a system level this offers more flexibility than TAPI but is also more complex to implement.

Two-Way Record	A facility of voicemail systems and answering machines which allows both sides of a telephone conversation to be recorded for later playback.

Unified Messaging	A messaging platform that allows management of voice, fax and email from a single user interface (PC). Improves efficiency as all messages are presented from the one place to the user.

UPS	Uninterruptible Power Supply. Provides continuous power source to the telephone system in the event of a mains power fail. Also referred to as Battery Back-up.

UTP	Unshielded Twisted Pair. A type of cable. Commonly (and imprecisely) used to differentiate from computer cables using co-axial cable such as 10 Base 2, Thin Ethernet, Thinnet, Thick Ethernet, Thin Ethernet or IBM Twinax.	[TOP]

Voicemail	A voicemail system typically provides a central "answering machine" for users of a telephone system. The user diverts his calls to the voicemail system, which will play a personalised message to a caller and allow him to leave a message for the extension user. Most voicemail systems also provide options for routing callers to departments or extensions and for giving out information to callers.

VoIP	Voice over Internet Protocol. Allows voice calls to be switched over any data carrying network reducing fixed infrastructure costs.

VPN	Virtual Private Network. Provides users with inter site communications, which could be implemented over fixed circuit connections but also via dial up connection. This has many cost benefits to the user as the need for fixed line voice circuits may be removed.

WAN	Wide Area Network. Improves cost and efficiency as PC users in different sites may all access the same information as if they were all connected locally on the one local area network.	[TOP]

WAP	Wireless Access Protocol. A means of accessing the Internet using a mobile phone.

Wireless	Wireless communication is the transfer of information over a distance without the use of electrical conductors. The distances involved can only be small (a few feet as in for a car key fob) or equally extensive (thousands or even millions of miles for communication to Mars). When the context is clear the term is often simply shortened to "wireless". Wireless communications is generally considered to be a branch of telecommunications.

Wireless Networking	Despite the fact that the “wireless network” might in principle be used to refer to any set of connections that is wireless, the phrase is most often used to refer to a telecommunications network whose interconnections linking nodes is implemented devoid of the use of wires, such as a computer network (which is a type of communications network). Wireless telecommunications networks are in general implemented with some type of remote information broadcast system that uses electromagnetic waves, such as radio emissions, for the carrier, this usually takes place at the physical level or "layer" of the network.

WLAN	Wireless Local Area Network. The wireless extension to the wired LAN is a growing market. More organisations have people ont the road that need contact areas in the office. Wireless is the easiest way to facilitate this.

WOC	Windows Operator Console. PC based operator terminal. Allows the user to see the status of lines and extensions on their PC screen and answer and transfer calls with the click of a mouse.

XDP	eXtra Device Port - an analogue port in the back of some keysets, which can be used as either a 'double' of the existing extension number (ie for an analogue DECT) or as a totally different extension number (ie for an analogue modem.)	[TOP]

XML	eXtensible Markup Language. A widely used system for defining data formats. XML provides a very rich service to define complex documents and data structure such as invoices and news feeds etc. As long as a programmer has the XML definition for a collection of data, i.e. a schema, then they can create a program to reliably process any data formatted according to those rules.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z [TOP]