Frequently Asked Questions
Which phones should I use with my TalkSwitch System?
What's the difference between analog and IP phones and which should I buy?
Do multi-line phones work with TalkSwitch?
Does TalkSwitch work with IP phones and soft phones?
Do I need a VoIP-enabled TalkSwitch to use IP phones?
How do IP phones connect to TalkSwitch?
Will IP phones slow my computer network down?
If I use an IP phone, does that mean I'm using VoIP?
What happens to my IP phones in a power outage?
Can I have line appearance?
What's my local extension capacity?
What type of headsets work with TalkSwitch?
What is the difference between extensions and lines?
Can I install TalkSwitch myself?
How can I get installation assistance?
Does TalkSwitch work with T1 lines?
Is TalkSwitch covered by a warranty?
What happens if all the phone lines are in use?
How do remote extensions work?
Does TalkSwitch automatically detect faxes?
Can TalkSwitch handle incoming calls differently after hours?
How does TalkSwitch work with call waiting?
Can I keep my phone company voicemail?
What is call cascade?
What is toll restriction?
How do call bridge and call back work?
What do line hunt groups do?
Can I upgrade voicemail time?
Can I upgrade the capacity of my TalkSwitch?
Do I need VoIP for my office?
How does TalkSwitch work with VoIP?
Does TalkSwitch work in overseas locations?
Does TalkSwitch work with third-party VoIP services?
Is TalkSwitch a PBX or Key system?
Telephones
Which phones should I use with my TalkSwitch System?
We offer a
full range of telephones
that are tailor-made to work with TalkSwitch, but you're not
tied to our phones. TalkSwitch works with standard analog telephones, including cordless and
cordless digital (900 MHz, 2.4 GHz) phones. TalkSwitch also works with
selected IP phones
and softphones.
Do multi-line phones work with TalkSwitch?
Yes, with two options for connection.
Most two-line phones have separate plug-ins for two incoming telephone lines (line 1 and line 2). If your two-line telephone does not have separate plug-ins, you can use a "Line 1 / Line 2" line splitter to separate the two lines.
Option #1 (Use your phone as one TalkSwitch Extension):
Disregard the telephone's Line 2 jack (plug-in). Connect the telephone's Line 1 plug-in to any one of TalkSwitch's extension jacks. You will still be able to access both telephone lines in the same manner as if you were using a single line telephone attached to TalkSwitch.
Option # 2 (Use your phone as two TalkSwitch extensions.):
You could use your two-line telephone as two separate TalkSwitch extensions. Connect the telephone's Line 1 and Line 2 plug-ins to two separate extension jacks.
Does TalkSwitch work with IP phones and soft phones?
Yes, except for the TalkSwitch 24-CA.
See our list of approved IP phones and softphones.
How do IP phones connect to TalkSwitch?
Via your LAN, the same way a computer does. IP phones use your computer network to carry your telephone calls. In many cases the phone at a workstation will be plugged into the computer, which is then plugged into the LAN.
In larger offices, you (or your IT manager) might choose to keep your IP phones and your computers on separate IP networks, in which case you'll plug them in to a dedicated network socket, which is connected to the TalkSwitch Ethernet port.
Will IP phones slow my computer network down?
No. IP phones use minimal bandwidth on the internal network and generally run at speeds of 80 to 100 kbps. If you are running a gigabit network you should not connect a PC to the LAN through an IP phone, because TalkSwitch IP phones support 10/100 base-T not 10/1000 base-T. However, having IP phones on your network will not cause slowdowns.
If I use an IP phone, does that mean I'm using VoIP?
No. VoIP is the service by which you make and receive phone calls over the Internet. An IP phone will function with traditional phone lines as well as with Voice over IP phone lines. Using IP phones in no way limits you to VoIP phone service. With TalkSwitch, you are still free to choose the type of provider that works best for you, regardless of the type of phones you decide to use.
What happens to my IP phones in a power outage?
IP phones will not work without power, but analog phones can. In the event of a power outage, all calls get routed over line 1 to jack E4 (extension 114). If you have an analog phone connected to jack E4, it will continue to function. No other extensions will function, whether they are analog or IP phones. Even if you choose IP phones for your system, you may want to keep a spare analog phone handy. Keeping in touch in a power outage is as simple as connecting an analog phone to jack E4. Once the power comes back, the system will resume normal function.
Can I have line appearance?
Yes! TalkSwitch TS-350i, TS-5501, TS-9143i and TS-480i telephones have line appearance. Depending on how you want to view your calls and lines, you can also get the Attendant Console software, which allows all users to see and control their calls directly on their PCs.
What type of headsets work with TalkSwitch?
TalkSwitch works with any standard amplified wired or wireless headset manufactured by Plantronics, Jabra, Addcom, Accutone and VXI.
Installation
What is the difference between extensions and lines?
Lines are the connections to the telephone network supplied to you by your telephone company.
Extensions are the telephones attached to telephone lines. TalkSwitch allows two or more
extensions to use the same line.
For example, if you have 2 telephone lines connected to your TalkSwitch system, 2
people can make outbound or take inbound calls at the same time. While they're on the
phone, the remaining extensions can speak to each other or retrieve voicemail, but anyone
trying to make an outbound call would hear a rapid busy signal.
Can I install TalkSwitch myself?
Yes, and many TalkSwitch customers do. TalkSwitch installation is designed to be simple enough that customers can do
it themselves. The complexity of the installation depends on the wiring in your office. It is particularly
straightforward in any new office building with typical "star" wiring. If this is the case, you will only
need to plug in your phones. Alternatively, you can hire an
Authorized TalkSwitch Reseller
to wire and/or install TalkSwitch for you.
How can I get installation assistance?
TalkSwitch Authorized Resellers can install and configure your system for you. We can help you
find a
TalkSwitch Authorized Reseller in your area.
Does TalkSwitch work with T1 lines?
Yes. Although there is no direct connection for a T1 Line, TalkSwitch can work with a T1 Line and a Multiplexer (MUX), which splits the T1 into regular analog phone lines that can be plugged into the TalkSwitch.
Is TalkSwitch covered by a warranty?
Yes. TalkSwitch is covered with a
one-year
limited warranty on the entire contents of the TalkSwitch package.
We also offer a
30-day money back satisfaction guarantee
on products purchased directly from us in North America.
In addition to the one-year limited warranty, all TalkSwitch units sold in the
United States and Canada are eligible for
extended warranties.
TalkSwitch extended warranties cover one, two, or four additional years.
Call Handling and Messaging
What happens if all the phone lines are in use?
As with any phone system, you can only make or receive as many simultaneous phone calls as you have phone lines. If all your lines are in use, incoming callers will receive a busy signal, and further extensions will be unable to make external calls.
How do remote extensions work?
TalkSwitch remote extensions allow you to stay connected anywhere. Remote extensions are external phones that TalkSwitch treats as local extensions. Calls made to your office can be forwarded by TalkSwitch to any other land line, cell phone or pager you choose. Once you've entered the remote phone number (up to 10 per TalkSwitch unit) in the TalkSwitch configuration, it's accessed by a 3-digit remote extension number. Calls are forwarded by dialing out on one of your phone lines.
Does TalkSwitch automatically detect faxes?
Yes. If your calls are answered by the Auto Attendant, it can automatically detect faxes and route them to your fax machine. With automatic fax detection, you don't need a dedicated fax line.
Can TalkSwitch handle incoming calls differently after hours?
Yes. With Mode Scheduling, 3 sets of call answering options can be set up. You can greet callers with one message during business hours, a different one after hours and another on holidays. After-hours calls can also be routed to available staff, a different number, or directly to voicemail.
Modes can be switched via your telephone using touch-tone commands, or automatically switched at times of day, days of the week or holidays that you configure.
Does TalkSwitch work with call waiting?
TalkSwitch can work with call waiting, but we don't recommend it for use with the system. Because the Auto Attendant is unable to respond to a call waiting interruption, incoming calls will be handled inconsistently. We recommend adding an extra line if your call volume is too large for your current configuration.
Can I keep my phone company voicemail?
Yes. Although the TalkSwitch built-in voicemail handles all of your messaging needs, keeping your phone company voicemail is a good idea if you anticipate receiving more calls than you have lines to accommodate. Your phone company voicemail can capture callers who would otherwise receive a busy signal.
What is call cascade?
Call cascade is a powerful, flexible feature of TalkSwitch that routes calls through a series of options if the targeted extension isn't available. Call Cascade settings can be configured to ring other local extensions, remote extensions or ring groups, or it can send calls to another announcement or to voicemail. Different call cascades can be triggered depending on whether the target extension is busy, not answered, on "do not disturb" or screens the call.
What is toll restriction?
Toll restriction prevents selected extensions of your system from placing long distance calls.
How does call back/call bridge work?
Call back and call bridge work together to save you money by allowing you to place calls from your office telephone system when you are away from the office. For example, you can check your voicemail and place some calls from your system while you're at a hotel overseas. Instead of using expensive hotel lines, you can have TalkSwitch call you at the hotel. Once that call is connected, you can access your system and place calls through TalkSwitch. This allows you to take advantage of your office long distance savings plan while you're on the road.
Once connected, you can call extensions, check Voicemail, change system settings and access Call Bridge, which allows you make outbound calls using the TalkSwitch phone lines.
What do line hunt groups do?
TalkSwitch automates the selection of an available outside telephone line with line hunt groups. When you place an outbound call from a local extension, TalkSwitch finds an available line. You can also activate automatic route selection to have TalkSwitch automatically place specific kinds of calls on specific lines. For example, you can constrain long distance calls to lines or VoIP trunks that have particularly good long distance rates.
Expansion and Upgradability
Can I upgrade voicemail time?
Yes. Voicemail capacity can be increased by 1, 2, 4.5 or 9 hours per TalkSwitch unit
by adding TalkSwitch memory cards.
Can I upgrade the capacity of my TalkSwitch?
The maximum capacity of TalkSwitch systems is 32 lines, 32 VoIP trunks, 64 local and
40 remote extensions. You can
increase
the capacity of your TalkSwitch system up to these limits by either adding upgrade kits,
additional IP extensions or networking multiple systems.
Using VoIP
How does TalkSwitch work with VoIP?
VoIP-enabled TalkSwitch systems use the Internet in addition to the traditional telephone network for calls, which can improve your integration over multiple locations and save you money. TalkSwitch can use VoIP to seamlessly, cost-effectively connect locations or to connect to a VoIP service As with any IP PBX, VoIP-enabled TalkSwitch systems require broadband connections.
Does TalkSwitch work in overseas locations?
TalkSwitch is currently in use in many countries outside of North America, but because
different countries have different voltage requirements, dial tones and telecommunication regulations, we
recommend you
contact us for specific details about operability in your location.
Does TalkSwitch work with third-party VoIP services?
Yes. Any VoIP-enabled TalkSwitch system can be connected to VoIP services from
any of our
approved service providers.
General
Is TalkSwitch a PBX or Key system?
Who cares? TalkSwitch can work either way. Private Branch Exchange (PBX) and Key systems allow their users to share telephone company lines between multiple telephone users. PBX systems conveniently automate this function and typically offer many additional features. TalkSwitch is a PBX system, and it has all of the rich features that PBX systems do. But it can also run the way a Key system does, with line appearance on selected TalkSwitch IP phones.