Business Advantages

Sprint recognizes that each customer has different business needs. With a key system solution from Sprint, you can choose from a comprehensive list of convenient features and create the feature package that best meets your specific business needs. Compare for yourself!

Business Advantages
Definitions of Features
Comparison of Nortel Networks Key Systems Products

Business Advantages

The following tables illustrate several business advantages of key systems for small business based on your needs.

Increase Customer Satisfaction
Improve Employee Effectiveness
Improve Internal Communications

Increase Customer Satisfaction

Improve Employee Effectiveness

Improve Internal Communications

Definitions of Features

Key system features include:

• Call transfer - transfers a call from one station to another.
  
  
• Conference call - allows you to quickly add additional participants to a conversation.
  
  
• Discriminating ringing - distinguishes between internal and external calls.
  
  
• Expandable open architecture - is inherently adaptable and cost- effective to add new capabilities or upgrade. The original investment in telephones and some peripherals is protected because they can be used with any Nortel Norstar platform.
  
  
• High bandwidth to desktop - allows desktop access to applications like ISDN, computer telephony integration and T1 lines without changing existing wiring. This allows you to:
  
  
  • Have faster Internet access
  • Consider telecommuting
  • Use video and desktop conferencing
  • Obtain faster credit or debit card approval
  
  
• Integrated automated attendant - efficiently answers and transfers incoming calls to the appropriate extension 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It is best used with voicemail if messaging is desired.
  
  
• Integrated calling line ID and logging - permits you to see who's calling right on your telephone screen, so you can customize greetings and be better prepared to talk with callers. Call Log lets you see who called while you were away from the telephone, and return those calls with the touch of a button.
  
  
• Integrated Nortel Companion Wireless Services - enables your employees to remain in touch when away from their desks. With Nortel Companion, the wireless call is handed off between base stations, like a cellular call, but within the same building, so there are no airtime charges and no dead zones.
  
  
• Internal analog terminal adapter - connects computer modems, fax machines, credit card terminals, and other analog devices without the need for a dedicated line. This feature is built into the key system and does not cost extra.
  
  
• Internal paging - quickly locates a co-worker.
  
  
• LCD windows on station unit - allows for efficient time management with a call timer on all stations. Instructions for using Norstar features appear in the liquid crystal display (LCD) window to make using the system easy and to remove the need for costly and time-consuming telephone training.
  
  
• Station Message Detail Recording (SMDR) - tracks and reports calling activities. This allows you to monitor telephone costs and assign codes for client billing. This feature is most effective when used with a call accounting system.
  
  
• Tones and music on hold - provides your customers with a pleasant experience while on hold until you can return to their call.
  
  
• Voicemail - answers the telephone and takes accurate messages for everyone in your company 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Besides answering and managing incoming calls, Norstar Voicemail also can provide answers to commonly asked questions via information mailboxes - a tremendous time-saver for staff whose time is normally spent answering routine inquiries.

Comparison of Nortel Networks Key Systems Products

Sprint sells three Nortel Networks Key Systems products: Venture, Norstar Compact Integrated Communications Systems (CICS), and Norstar Modular Integrated Communications System (MICS). The table below denotes the similarities and differences between the features of these products.