Call Forward; Memory Protection; Automatic Station Relocation - Toshiba Strata DK Competitive Notes

Toshiba Strata DK & Nortel Norstar Product Comparison
Strata DK Advantages Over Norstar

Call Forward

The Norstar offers External Call Forwarding as an option, but it does not have remote change
capabilities. Since employees outside the office must often change their external forwarding
destination, external forwarding becomes very cumbersome to use without the ability to
change the destination remotely. The Strata DK provides both external call forward and
remote change capabilities as a standard feature. This increases its usability and value. Strata
DK also provides call forward busy/no answer mode, which the Norstar lacks.
Conference
Conference calling capabilities are limited on the Norstar. Three party maximum allows two
internal/1 external or two external/1 internal combinations. Strata DK systems provide four
party conference. In addition, Strata DK provides amplified conference interface, which the
Norstar lacks. Amplified conference compensates for volume loss to outside parties through
the public network.

Memory Protection

Memory in the Norstar is protected from commercial power loss by a NiCad battery that
provides a 72-hour retention in the KSU. When power is restored, the Norstar KSU downloads
administrative information to the telephones, a process that takes about five minutes. This
restores the system without reprogramming. If the power failure exceeds the 72-hour battery
hold time, the Norstar reverts to its default configuration and must be completely
reprogrammed. The Strata DK's internal battery will protect memory data and programming
within a powerless system for the life of the battery, approximately six years. Thus,
programming is never lost in a power failure, and no telephone downloading is necessary
when power is restored, providing immediate restoration of telephone service.

Automatic Station Relocation

The Norstar's automatic set relocation feature allows a moved telephone set to retain its
individual programming and extension number, making telephone moves quick and easy.
However, this feature is limited on the Norstar because it requires relocation of the same type
and model phone to another jack. This means you can't swap a 20-button phone for an 8-
button model without reprogramming. This same feature in the Strata DK enables you to
relocate any digital phone to any digital station jack. The Strata system will automatically
reassign the station type in programming, even if they are different models. This makes
swapping telephone locations much more flexible and practical to use, especially in
applications where most telephone changes are a result of upgrading to another model.
LCD Feature Prompting
The Norstar LCD provides relatively easy to use feature instructions, but does require a few
steps to initiate. Feature activation is done by pressing the Feature key and then dialing a
feature code. LCD prompting then provides display instructions for required entry. Soft keys
(not available on the Norstar M7100 or M7208 model telephones) allow choices selected by
pressing one of three buttons that change function with each feature display. Strata DK
systems provide better and more automatic LCD feature prompting capabilities. Strata DK
feature prompting does not require manual activation or entry of a feature code. LCD choices
and instructions appear automatically and change according to the calling status you are in.
This makes the use of this function much quicker, easier, and more automatic on Strata DK
systems.
6
Strata DK 12/99