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Samsung is to launch some additional IP endpoint options in August 2009. Those are IP phones to the layperson!

As the OfficeServ 7000 series delivers 1300+ features to the desk, the choice of handset is paramount for organisations who want to get the most out of their telephone system.

There is DHCP or fixed IP for easy deployment minus the need for engineer visits to teleworking locations. There is a simplistic 3 step wizard for user set-up. You just enter the IP address of the OfficeServ, your extension number followed by a four digit password. All of the usual functions, that are common for key systems, such as tannoy, pick-up and voicemail exist for remote IP phones.

VPN client licence is FREE with every keyset. It establishes it’s own virtual private network when plugged in to a Cat5 socket.

The three physical IP phones will all come with dual RJ45 ports and these will deliver 1000 megabits to the desktop on the SMT-I5220 and SMT-I5242. So if an organisation possesses gigabit speed then users can experience 1000 mb/sec on their PC hanging from one of the IP phones. This is however, a chargeable option which requires a part known as a gigabit wedge. This is not available on the entry level SMT-I3100 which is non-UC.

Basic Samsung SMT-I3100

Samsung SMT-I5220

Lge Display Samsung SMT-I5242

There are polyphonic ringtones and you can add your own sounds. The photo album will allow you to upload your own and associate to the appropriate contacts.

Samsung will sell a 64 button IP add-on module. Unlike many telecoms vendors who do not offer this.

Each telephone has an integral two port switch. There is a full duplex 100 Mbps and a single Switched port. There is support for power over Ethernet (POE) with the popular 802.3af standard.

The telephones’ inbuilt switch boasts packet tagging for priority and VLAN. The standards are 802.1P and 802.1Q.. There are numerous codecs offered for high bandwidth such as; G.722, G711, G729, G723. There is pkt. loss correction (PLC).

For resilience, there is multiple server working. So failover can be applied in mission critical deployments. The multi hosts can be any box including; OS7030, OS7100, OS7200 and OS7400. So even the baby sites can help with disaster planning.

But “presence” is the big news. The next IP handsets will have a presence indicator using either Microsoft OCS or Samsung UC so you can create “Buddy Lists”. In times gone past we enjoyed busy lamp field (BLF) to show us when colleagues were on the phone with a steady red light, in do not disturb (DND) showing as slow flashing red and currently ringing which lights up fast red flashes. But with the OfficeServ telephone systems you will know when staff or distant IP phones are keying on their keyboard or keypad. So no more hiding for teleworkers!

The programme that makes all of this work is called OfficeServ Communicator and has been developed at the mother plant after listening to customer requirements. All of this is facilitated because telephone systems sit on the local area network (LAN). It’s like Microsoft or Yahoo Messenger but without the temptation to twitter with people outside of your organisational comms circle.

OfficeServ Communicator does not require a server as it can populate itself from the computer over the LAN. When you install OfficeServ Communicator the installer adds a plug-in to Microsoft Outlook. This gives control of OS Communicator. Simply hit the dial icon in MS-Outlook to power-dial. SOA or Services Orientated Architecture will be replacing the ageing TAPI or Telephony Application Programming Interface.

The SMT-I5242 has a USB port and is a video conference IP phone with a larger screen although the Softphone (included with OfficeServ Comunicator) will equally well facilitate AV conferencing. You can perform MP3 or MP4 recording. There will be a maximum of 5 simultaneous conferencees. There is also a soft IP terminal for Windows Mobile devices such as PDAs and SmartPhones.

OfficeServ Easyset and OfficeServ Call are inclusive with OfficeServ Communicator.

The SMT-I5242 large LCD models can utilise the XML feeds to serve movies, text or HTML to the telephone. There is a video content server element to supply the feed. There has been a suggestion that suppliers may subsidise the cost of phones to clients whilst selling advertising to interested parties. Now that would mean a change in approach by installers!

The line-up will include a Wi-fi terminal which looks as sleek as any cordless phone in the global arena. These can be hung off wi-fi access points inside the building or at alternate localities via generic domestic wi-fi routers. So you can have a smart wire-free device for use in a telework situation.

Locally, the wi-fi includes embedded quality of service QOS. They are highly secure wireless voice and data switches. There is WPA, WPA2, WEP, 802.1X and AES. These can be utilised as a bridge to join buildings and there is connection for an external antenna if directional or db gain are required for distance. Similarly, they can be a repeater to extend range for a sizeable premises.

For those with inadequate LANs and WANs that lack QOS the 7000 familly still supports TDM (time division multiplex) traditional phone extensions. This means that it is possible to connect analogue apparatus such as faxes PDQ credit card machines. Samsung telephone systems have it covered and are now total communications platforms.

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