NEC DT330 DESI-less Digital Phone Terminal

The NEC DT330 DESI-less phone visually differs from almost any other phone in the marketplace and even the other DT330 digital series models. Most phones that have removed multiple programmable buttons have opted for a single large screen - this has two split screens. One for programmable buttons and the other for system features.

The way it works is there are 4 buttons on either side of the bottom screen. This gives you 8 programmable buttons in total. You then scroll across up to 4 screens which gives you 32 programmable options. For all intents and purposes it is exactly the same as the DT330 32D it just displays the information very differently. Personally we would suggest the 32D as a cheaper better option. If the NEC DT330 DESI-less handset provided more options on screen (only 32) it might be better for larger companies but strangely it doesn't. Other brands with large screens often provide up to 100 programmable features in this manner. The practical reality is, it's much easier to see all 32 buttons at one time than flicking between screens. If you want an impressive looking handset then buy the DT330 DESI less, if you want the more functional option then chose the DT330 32D.

One of the intelligent features they have incorporated next to the 8 programmable button keys are multicoloured LED status lights. This way you can clearly see if users/phone lines etc are busy or available with different colours presented for each. Many digital phones that are screen driven have omitted this very user friendly LED feature and it's very good to have. One bugbear is the top screen is tiltable however the bit you probably want to adjust is the bottom screen and it isn't - this is the section with the staff buttons. With 32 buttons you could argue it is a receptionist console but we think it is more for the CEO or manager that wants to have a premium phone. The DT330 DESI less might be good for staff that find the small sections above the programmable buttons on other models too small to read. With a large screen and only 8 items per screen you get a much larger character display for the staff names and there is no paper labels required as its all digital.

Below the first NEC DT330 DESI-less display screen there are also 4 context keys which make day to day usability easier. As the name suggests, the "context" keys will present different options on screen that are the most logical in light of what action you're doing at that time. For example, if you're on a phone call you might be presented with options to conference, transfer etc.

The NEC DT330 DTL-DESI-less phone handset also gets the quick navigator silver button. This provides for fast access to system speed dial, directory listings, redials and more. Remember that if your staff have customers or suppliers they contact frequently the easiest way is to program them into one of the 32 programmable on screen options for one touch dialling.

Like all the DT330 digital series the DT330 DESI less digital phone offers excellent sound quality microphones and even a full duplex hands free speaker phone. Full duplex is a technology used on devices like Polycom Conference phones and delivers brilliant hands free communication. You might notice how large the speaker is under the handset. Full duplex stops voices being clipped and sounding funny when multiple parties are conversing at the same time on a conference call. The SV8000 phone systems are hybrid solutions and this means you mix and match any NEC digital or IP phone. This is actually significant because IP phones are more expensive so if you're looking to reduce your deployment costs then you should only consider IP when/where your staff may benefit from it. The equivalent VoIP equivalent is the NEC DT730 Desi Less IP phone. If your office already has phone and data points cabled to each user then NEC digital phones are a cheaper, often smarter option. Just because you may be going to VoIP does not mean that you must also operate IP handsets too. This is a very common myth and simply doesn't apply to "hybrid" pbx systems like all the NEC UNIVERGE SV8000 phone system series.

Before you spend the extra money on NEC IP phones you should ask yourself the following:

Are you using XML applications?

• Is there limited CAT5 cabling in the office? (I.e., only one port at a desk)
• Do you have staff that hot desk?
• Is the handset for a remote worker?

If you answered yes to any of the above then an IP handset, such as the NEC DT730 Desi Less IP phone, is the smart way to go. If only one or two users fit the bill above then perhaps only they should get IP handsets and you can save money, not compromise functionality, with your other staff handsets being digital.

For most staff you would probably be better served by the NEC DT330 12D or NEC DT330 24D phone models. Infiniti Telecommunications is not affiliated with the manufacturer of this product in any way.