Automated Attendant; Tie Lines - Toshiba Strata DK Competitive Notes

Telephone Set Design
Toshiba 2000 series digital telephones are aesthetically and ergonomically designed according
to what most people want. By contrast, studies show that the Norstar telephones are too big
and take up excessive desk space, especially the M7310 and M7324 models. The handset has
been criticized as unbalanced, too wide and flat, and not as comfortable as a more standard
design like the Toshiba. Studies also show that most people prefer the greater visibility of LED
indicators for buttons over the Norstar's LCD indicators. Toshiba digital telephones have both
red and green LEDs to make status indication very clear.

Automated Attendant

Built-in Automated Attendant is available as an inexpensive option on Strata DK systems.
This is especially valuable in smaller systems, where voice mail is either too expensive or not
required for simple auto answering applications. The Norstar ICS Compact offers a built-in
Auto Attendant option, but other Norstar models do not. Auto Attendant is only available as
part of a voice mail system, or by adding an external Auto Attendant sub-system, which also
gets expensive.
BLF Display
The BLF module that attaches to the model 7310 Norstar telephone does not show the
extension numbers of busy stations. Busy stations are signified by a darkened half rectangle on
the BLF according to their relative position. The attendant must keep a reference card handy or
memorize whose extension is in each relative position to know who is on the phone. With
Strata DK, BLF extension status can be clearly displayed by extension number on an LCD
telephone without needing an add-on module. With an add-on module (20-button or 60-button
DSS), full DSS/BLF functionality is provided with LED indicators next to extension numbers.
Standard Telephone Interface
An analog terminal adapter is required for each standard 2500 set attached to the Norstar ICS
Compact. These units cost about $190 list/$275 retail so use of 2500 sets is very expensive.
Also, the ATA units are large and heavy, taking up more wall space next to the KSU. Any
analog device (modem, FAX, answer machine, credit card reader, OPX 2500 set, etc.) must be
interfaced through an individual ATA. With the Strata DK40i, 2500 sets and all analog DTMF
devices plug into a standard telephone interface card in the KSU. The DK40i provides four
optional circuits in the base KSU, and eight circuits per card in the expansion KSU, up to 20
maximum standard circuits. A combination card is also available, providing two or four
standard circuits and four DKT circuits. Also, the DK40i can light the message waiting
indicator on standard telephones. This provides a much more flexible and cost effective
interface for standard devices than the Norstar ICS Compact offers.
Direct Inward Dialing (DID)
The Norstar ICS Compact does not support Direct Inward Dialing. Strata DK40i users find
DID to be very useful feature.

Tie Lines

The Norstar ICS Compact does not support Tie lines. Multiple location Strata DK40i users
find Tie line capabilities to be very useful.
Strata DK 12/99
Toshiba Strata DK & Nortel Norstar Product Comparison
Strata DK Advantages Over Norstar
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