An Idea Who's Time Has Come

Author's Rating:

Pros: Network connectivity; integration with messaging.

Cons: Horrible LCD display; volume control.

The Bottom Line: 
Despite the horrible LCD display, overall I like the Cisco 7940 IP Phone.

Author's Review
Internet Protocol (IP) telephones; they are the way of the future. IP phones have already started to proliferate the business environment, and home use is on the rise. The era of the Plain Old Telephone System (POTS), which has been around since the turn of the last century is coming to a close because of the advantages IP phone bring to the workplace, such as Network integration, allowing for the seamless amalgamation of data and voice.

Our organization has done away with all of our traditional POTS phones and replaced them with Cisco 7940 IP Phone two-line IP telephones both at the main office and at all of our branch locations. Our complement of over 1000 7940 IP Phones are tightly integrated into the backbone of our network and work with Cisco’s Unity Call Management software to provide voice mail, email narration, and other data specific functions.

Product Description: The Cisco 7940 IP Phone is a multi-line phone that provides two programmable line and feature keys, plus a high quality speakerphone. The Cisco 7940 IP Phone also has four dynamic soft keys that guide users through call features and functions. A built-in headset port and integrated Ethernet switch are standard with the Cisco 7940 IP Phone e. It also includes audio controls for full duplex speakerphone, handset and headset. The Cisco 7940 IP Phone features a large, pixel-based LCD display, which provides features such as date and time, calling party name, calling party number and digits dialed.

Impressions

I am of two minds about the Cisco 7940 IP Phone. On the one hand I like the two-line capability of the phone. And I like the integrated Ethernet switch that allows me to connect the phone to the network jack under my desk and then connect my computer to the phone via the auxiliary RJ-45 jack in the back of the unit. I also like the included audio controls for full duplex speakerphone, the easy to use mute button, automatic redial (lets you chose between at least five different last dialed numbers), conference calling (very handy), and headset port.

What I do not like is the display; it is not backlit! It doesn’t sound like a big deal, but it is. My phone sits under an unlit overhanging shelf, which in my case is the only place it can reside. Adjusting the contrast does not help much, but a backlit screen would help immensely.

The Cisco Unity software ties into our messaging system and that allows voicemails to be processed as emails and delivered to Outlook in the form of a .WAV file that can be played back through Windows Media Player. With Unity we can also setup the Cisco 7940 IP Phone to read back my email.

The Cisco 7940 IP Phone are connected to the network via a plethora of Cisco 3570-PoE network switches, which provides the phones with network connectivity and power (DC-voltage). Each phone is assigned an IP address which allows it to communicate with the other network devices at a full 100Mbps (sweet).

Voice clarity is better than traditional phones, but the volume is problem; it needs to be turned almost all the way up to hear the call. It’s a problem, but not one that cannot be overcome with the volume control buttons.

Conclusion

Despite the horrible LCD display, overall I like the Cisco 7940 IP Phone. The excess of convenience features Cisco has built into the phone make it infinitely useful and a worthy replacement for the well regarded, but past its prime POTS telephone.

Cisco 7940 Features

• Pixel-based display— provides intuitive access to calling features.
• Full duplex speakerphone
• Four soft keys dynamically present calling options to the user. The scroll toggle bar allows easy movement through the displayed information.
• Up to 2 line appearances and/or speed dials
• Feature keys:
o Key to retrieve VM messages
o Key to get to the directories (missed calls, received calls, placed calls, corporate directories)
o Key to get to Settings, which allows you to adjust display and ring tones
o Key to get to Services, which allows you to get to weather, stocks, etc. Any web based information (NOT ENABLED)
• Volume-control toggle provides easy decibel-level adjustments of the handset and ringer.
• Built in Headset Port
• Hearing-aid compatible handset (meets American Disabilities Act [ADA] requirements).

Calling Features

• Support of a single line or directory number
• Support of Shared line appearances
• Calling name and number display
• Call Waiting
• Call Forward
• Call Transfer
• Three-way calling (conference)
• On-hook dialing, predialing, and off-hook dialing
• Redial
• Call Hold
• Call Monitor
• "Messages" soft key that allows access to voicemail messages
• Speed dialing
• Call Park
• Call Back
• Call Join
• Call Pickup
• Distinctive Ring Per Shared line appearance