Avaya 1616 Phone Handset

The Avaya 1616 IP handset is the flagship model in the Avaya 1600 series of handsets.   It's perfect for receptionists, assistants and managers alike where they need to see more staff at a glance.   The 1616 IP phone takes on a more traditional look and offers colour coded flashing lights that are always very popular with staff (something that was missing from the previous range of IP phones).   If you're looking for the cheaper, yet identical, digital phone then you're after the Avaya 1416 phone handset.

The equivalent phone in the premium Avaya 9600 IP series is the 9608.   The key difference between the budget models and premium is the 9600 phones offer massive displays and rather than having large consoles down the side everything is screen driven.   On the 1616 there are 16 buttons available and you use paper labels to print staff names next to programmable buttons.  On the 9608 IP phone everything is displayed digitally on screen.  Plus although it is smaller, the 9608 allows you to see 8 buttons at a glance but then scroll across the screen to see up to 24 staff and or phone lines in total.   When looking for an Avaya IP Office 500 pbx system with IP handsets we suggest you look at both series of handsets and decide for yourself which you prefer.   If you're after gigabit connectivity, not 10/100, then other handsets in the 9600 IP range are for you.

The Avaya 1616 handset is the most feature rich in the new Avaya 1600 IP series lineup and is perfect for people who spend a lot of time on the phone.   Unlike the 5620 it supersedes, the 1616 now looks like a traditional style phone and has quickly become very popular with IP customers.   The 1616 IP offers a slightly bigger (and adjustable angle) screen and 8 more flex keys than the 1608. The handset looks great in black plus you can also add an extra DSS console with 32 extra buttons to allow you to see 48 users at a single glance. Realistically if you are getting anywhere near that number you are best to implement a PC Attendant console on the reception PC. This allows your receptionist to transfer and answer calls at the click of a mouse and is faster and more productive.

In a typical IP handset setup customers looking at the 1600 series would buy 1616 for a receptionist and managers while the rest of the staff/locations would get a mixture of 1608 and 1603 handsets depending on their user requirements.

Unlike phone handsets the 1600 IP range allows you to plug a handset into any Ethernet port that is connected to the IP Office 500 and be automatically registered.  This makes staff moves and changes very easy as you simply plug the handset in and login.   It brings your extension number with you and all your personal preferences and programming.  Furthermore, if you have interstate or remote locations a user can grab an available handset and simply login to an available phone.   It will then present as their own phone and away they go just like they were sitting at their normal desk with their normal extension number and features.

One of simplest and best additions to the new Avaya 1616 phone (and the whole range for that matter) is the green and red LED lights next to the flex keys.   With a simple glance you can now see if a staff member is available or on the phone.  The two LED colours really help.

If you're looking to implement the awesome One-X on screen platform where you can do everything with the click of a mouse on your PC then you don't necessarily need the 1616 IP phone.   The only real need for the 1616 IP handset is if you have a scenario where a staff member needs to see 16 other staff.   If you have more than 16 staff you'd like to see then it smarter to go for the 1608 and simply use the One-X platform.

The Avaya One-X allows you to do everything you need on screen from listening to voicemail, to answering and even transferring calls, accessing personal and company speed dials and even co-ordinating a conference call.

If you're looking for cheaper phone handsets to compliment the Avaya IP500 pbx then check out the 1403, 1408 and 1416 models or the premium 9500 digital phone series.   If you're looking for gigabit connectivity or larger displays then look to the 9600 IP series.