Shoretel PBX Phone Systems

Shoretel offers VoIP hardware and systems designed for companies with multiple locations.  With built-in “N+1 redundancy”, Shoretel systems are designed to keep working even if you experience a failure in your network.   

The company offers three main system components – switches, phones and software – designed to work together to create a phone system oriented toward companies with geographically-dispersed operations – sales offices or manufacturing plants, for example – that need seamless phone communications. 

The Switch Is The Thing 

At the heart of Shoretel systems are its voice switches.  Available in capacities from 30 to 120 phones (analog trunking), 30-90 phones (BRI trunking) and 220 phones (digital – PRI – trunking) the switches are scalable, enabling systems as large as 10,000 users.  The overall architecture, according to the company, incorporates n+1 redundancy (every connection has at least one alternate) to keep your phone system up and running, even in the event of a network failure.   

Each switch operates as an independent call processor, even when separated from its servers.  As you mix and match switches, all functions remain integrated, including voicemail and auto-attendants.  Shoretel call this a “distributed architecture”. 

The Phones Are Another Thing 

Shoretel offers phones ranging from basic to full featured. 

At the high end is the model IP 565g, which feature eight buttons, six lines, a color display, full-duplex speakerphone and bluetooth for use with a wireless headset.  The IP 565g also includes integrated 10/100/1000 Ethernet and full VPN connectivity, enabling it to be used outside of company firewalls with a high degree of security.   

Shoretel offers additional phones with fewer features at lower prices.  At the low end of its offerings the IP 110 is a single-line phone suitable for a waiting room or lobby. 

The Software is The Third Thing 

Shoretel also offers a number of software programs to enhance the usefulness of the phone systems it sells.  ShoreWare Call Manager, for example, is a computer-based program which enables users to switch and move seamlessly among video, voice and IM. Other programs include:

Contact center is a program for call centers than manages call routing, enabling you to run a contact center from multiple locations as easily as ou could a centralized call center. Converged Conferencing simplifies the use of audio conferencing, desktop and application sharing, instant messaging, virtual meeting rooms, on-line presentations, and multi-media recording by providing a unified interface.Other available programs include time tracking and billing, SalesForce Integration and more.

Shoretel products are available through a network of channel partners (dealers), so it is difficult to say what prices will be.  We did find a large purchasing consortium on the Internet, so to give you a sense of costs, here are a few excerpts (your prices may vary):

ShoreGear 90V  Analog Switch with 90 phones & voicemail boxes  $3,140.75 each

IP 565 Phone   Top of the line IP phone (silver)         509.15 each

Operator Call Manager Operator Call Manager Software Program        505.75 each 

Shoretel offers e-mail and telephone support, and makes available to its customers a variety of learning tools through “Shoretel University” including FAQs, training and reference guides and other downloadable materials. 

Shoretel is traded on the NASDAQ under the symbol SHOR.  The company, located in Sunnyvale, California, can be reached at 800-425-9385 or 1-408-331-3300 and is on the web at shoretel.com.  Customer support can be reached at 800-742-2348.