Executone

The Integrated Digital System (IDS) is a fully featured digital telephone system with a capacity of up to 648 ports. The IDS platform can be registered as a key system, Hybrid or PBX. The IDS platform is a single solution available in six different size configurations: 42 ports, 84 ports, 108 ports, 228 ports, 432 ports and 648 ports. Migration through the different port sizes is achieved by changing some of the common equipment. All IDS telephones can be used with every configuration size.

The IDS platform supports a wide range of configurations through the use of a universal port architecture, and there are many communications capabilities to suit a variety of applications. The IDS ports can either be voice ports (telephones, CO lines, tie lines etc.) voice/data ports (digital display phones), or data ports (digital data interfaces).

The system utilizes time division switching techniques and pulse code modulation. The voice bus is divided into time slots. Some time slots are used for CPU functions, others for voice conference and paging; the remaining are available for voice connections. This arrangement of time slots provides a telephone system which is non-blocking between ports. Each port is provided a time slot, thus conversations between two ports uses two time slots.

Input/Output ports are provided for communications to and from the system. These ports are used for operator terminals, programming terminals, supervisor terminals, serial printers, and the INFOSTARâ Applications Processor. These ports are configured for RS232 or RS422. The number of I/O ports available depends on the system configuration.

A system self-test is incorporated in the design to aid in trouble-shooting the system. The system is equipped with a built-in modem. This modem can be used for remote programming and remote diagnostics.

The IDS system is software driven making expansion much easier and more cost effective. This digital technology also enables individual telephone stations to be programmed with features and timers independent of system-wide settings.

There are many companies selling telephone systems. Most of these telephone systems have similar features to the IDS platform. What the others do not have are the applications and the flexibility to tailor the system to meet the customer’s needs. What follows is a glimpse of some of the IDS applications.

Automated Attendant can dramatically increase the power of the Integrated Digital System’s call processing by directing multiple simultaneous incoming calls to the right person or department - quickly, easily and accurately. Automated Attendant answers callers with a pre-recorded greeting and then gives the caller the options to reach a department, group, extension, voice mail or an operator. Callers do not have to endure long ring times or unanswered calls - their call is directed quickly and efficiently to the correct destination.

Automated Attendant has the ability to accept calls from both rotary and touch tone telephones. It can be set up to answer calls during the day and/or night. Because of its digital technology, Automated Attendant has the flexibility to incorporate personally recorded messages and to be reprogrammed at any time. Automated Attendant also has the ability to repeat the original greeting, which gives the caller the information he or she may have missed with the first announcement.

Automated Attendant can reduce operator staff by handling some or all calls to the main company number. Or, callers can be given an alternate main number which is answered by the Automated Attendant. With Automated Attendant, secretarial productivity is improved and caller satisfaction increased.

Automatic Call Distribution (ACD) is custom-made for companies with high volumes of incoming calls. ACD helps handle calls quickly and efficiently by sending calls to the proper and available party at the time of arrival. In addition, it can prioritize calls in a variety of ways so callers get the fastest service. When no one is available to take a call, ACD handles the situation with ease. By sending the call to a programmable "queue", callers listen to a recorded reassurance message or music while they wait for an available agent. An Automated Attendant can give callers a choice of routing their call elsewhere or continuing to wait, without losing their place in the ACD queue. Or, calls can be routed automatically to another extension or back-up personnel until the agent can take the call.

ACD can be programmed to suit the customer’s need and the mode of operation in their company. Also, ACD can be quickly and easily reprogrammed to adapt to changes. For example, a supervisor can add or delete agents, reassign priorities to agents or lines, allow automatic connection, and even adjust the time allotted to individuals to complete paperwork after the call.

ACD has analytical capability to let management know how well their call centers are doing. It can give information on peak calling periods, abandonment rate, hold time and busy rate. An easy-to-read CRT display gives the supervisor real-time information regarding agent and line activities. ACD provides management with the essential information to plan accurately and to manage effectively. Printed reports provide statistical information for managing a facility’s communications network. By streamlining the overall operation of a call center, ACD enables management to focus on staffing needs and productivity.

Call Accounting allows outside line call information to be stored in the system memory. Calls are sorted by extension and account code and are available in the form of reports that can be viewed on an Operator’s Terminal, a remote PC or sent to a printer. Incoming and outgoing calls can be tracked, sorted and reported by employees, departments or client billing account numbers (when account codes are used). Through the Call Accounting feature, managers are better able to keep track of telephone usage. If the Least Cost Routing option is installed, Call Accounting shows the cost of each call, as well as cost totals for extensions and account codes.

The Data feature is a switched point-to-point RS232 data transmission capability which permits simultaneous data and voice communications. The Data feature transmits data information between personal computers, printers, modems, CRT terminals, main frame computer ports, etc. The IDS platform is capable of transmitting serial data at baud rates of up to 38.4 Kb/second asynchronously and 56 Kb/second synchronously. The major benefit of the Data feature is that it allows users to share equipment such as printers and modems without adding a separate data network.

The IDS has many advanced features which are unusual or unique to its switch. We have listed a few of the advanced features below.

Video Console. At the heart of the EXECUTONEâ Integrated Digital System is an optional dynamic operator terminal-a display of all system functions, that allows the operator to visually supervise each call, moving them through your organization in a quick, efficient manner. As new calls are processed, the display tells the operator who the call is for and whether it is a re-call, a new call or an internal call. As the call is processed, the system automatically "tags" it with the extension and the name of the person it is going to, and shows its status in the system. Extensions that are busy, ringing, set on "Do Not Disturb", forwarded or in the "out" mode are clearly displayed. The system even includes an Electronic Directory that lists the name of the user and each extension. The directory can be displayed on-screen with the push of a button - no more fumbling through an employee directory searching for extension numbers. This presents a sensible, productive approach to system management. By communicating with your operator visually, rather than with confusing blinking buttons and flashing lights, your operator becomes a more productive, effective employee.

Verified Forced Account Codes. An extension can be programmed to force the entry of an account code (up to 8 digits) before any outside line call is made. The system can also be programmed to verify the entered account code against a table of valid codes. Once the entered code has been verified, the system grants the user only the rights and privileges available to that particular code. In other words, toll restriction is available not only by extension but also by person.

Management Reports. The IDS telephone system boasts many system reports. Most notably of which are reports on Telco line usage. Calling activity information is gathered on a continuous basis and is available on demand. The system can determine exactly how many calls are handled by a business on a daily basis. By grouping lines, the system can determine the exact number of lines needed in each group. This prevents paying for unnecessary circuits or losing business and productivity due to blocked calls. Too many lines could be wasting money each month, while too few lines could be decreasing valuable revenues and customer satisfaction. Reports can be viewed on the operator's terminal, system manager's computer or a remote PC and can be printed on scheduled intervals.

System Manager. An RS232 connection can be provided to the system manager. The system manager can use his PC with the RS232 connection to view system reports or make programming changes.

Remote Maintenance and Diagnostics. Each IDS system is equipped with a 1200 baud modem. With the modem, the Executone support office, as well as a system administrator, can communicate with the IDS system to perform maintenance, make programming changes and pull system reports.

Follow me Forward. Follow me forward is a new feature which allows users to forward their telephone from another telephone. For example, have you ever gone to another office to work, only to forget to forward your phone to the phone in that office? With follow me forward, users can:

Forward all calls from an extension to the telephone they are using.
Forward all calls to their voice mailbox from any telephone.
Cancel call forward.

Reply Keys. For years the IDS has utilized the Second Path (off-hook voice announce) feature to announce a second call or to call a display telephone user who is currently busy on a call. The announcement comes over the display telephone user's speaker phone, and the user has the ability to verbally respond. Now, users can respond with text via the "soft" keys of their display telephone. This feature is called the Reply Keys feature since the "soft" keys are used to reply. In default, the "soft" keys represent three text replies: OK (give me the call), MSG (take a message), and HOLD (put the call on hold). The biggest benefit of the Reply Keys feature is that the user does not have to interrupt a current call to respond to an announcement.

Computer Port Interface. This optional feature allows the IDS customer to control the phone system from a host computer. CPI provides status information of the telephones in the system to the host computer and accepts control codes from the host computer for call processing. CPI is a software product and requires the CPI option to be activated. The host computer is connected to an IDS RS232 Input/Output port. A list of predefined control codes are provided to the customer to be used in the host computer program.

Computer Telephony Integration. With the power of TAPI (Microsoft) or TAPI NT (Windows NT), this optional feature allows the IDS customer to provide connectivity to a growing list of software programs designed to speed call handling and improve productivity. By eliminating the time spent looking up phone numbers, misdialing or searching for information to handle a caller, Executone’s CTI solution empowers the worker to become more productive through knowledge.

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