Reports of the death of the desk phone are greatly exaggerated

The desk phone is still a workhorse of communications; market research firm In-Stat predicts IP phone shipments will exceed 40 million units in 2015. At the same time, businesses have more choices than ever when it comes to selecting the right phones for their employees and many workers may also have a smartphone in their pocket or a software-based phone on a laptop or tablet.

With so many options available, businesses should weigh their users’ needs and workplace environment before selecting their next-generation phones. Organizations can choose from a variety of phones, including:

IP phones. An IP phone, especially when paired with a state-of-the-art unified communications (UC) client, allows workers to be highly productive. They are “always on,” ready-to-go, and ShoreTel’s IP phones are easy to use, delivering high-fidelity sound so communications are crisp and clear. ShoreTel has a wide range of IP phones with features to suit every application, extending from the conference room, to the executive office and down to a lobby phone.

Soft phones. Soft phones let people make phone calls over the Internet using their PC, laptop or tablet and a headset or USB phone. ShoreTel Communicator has an integrated soft phone that allows users to turn their PCs into their phones when connected by a suitable broadband connection. Soft phones may be ideal for people who occasionally work remotely or from home.

Smartphones. Workers can use their mobile phones in the office, but they may find that in-building coverage is poor or that their cell phone usage charges can quickly add up. Organizations can use ShoreTel Mobility to extend the power of UC and their desk phone to their smartphone by enabling access to either the Wi-Fi or cellular network. Cellular calls are routed over the cheapest path both inside and outside the enterprise, which keeps costs down—and users productive.

With ShoreTel, customers can choose the right phones for their needs. All ShoreTel IP phones interoperate with ShoreTel Communicator, so settings, call-handling rules, presence information, and automatic directory updates can be managed according to users’ preferences. Communicator gives workers a suite of tools to manage real-time communications on their computer or mobile phone and move seamlessly between voice, video and IM as needed.

Click here to read 'Questions to Select the Right IP Phones'.