Many departments use this feature rich ESSX Service directly by employing either single line phone instruments or proprietary "digital" multi-line capable phones. This type of phone system is called single line concept simply because each phone instrument is assigned its own ESSX line. The advantage of this kind of communications system is having a low initial installation cost, having the most line features and capabilities of an advanced system without having the initial expense (relative), ATT has the responsibility of keeping the system updated via software upgrades, and not having the inconvenience of housing and maintaining the switching equipment on the department's site.
General
Single Line Concept (SLC) is a telephone system offered by the University that uses the power and intelligence of the ATT's Nortel DMS-100 Central Office switch. The Nortel DMS-100 Central Office switch is the same digital technology that provides ESSX service to the entire Campus. The Single Line Concept customer does not need to purchase premise based common control or equipment that is placed in the communications room or closet in order to have telephone service. Typically, each telephone set or station is assigned its own telephone number (273/294/392/846). By using ESSX line features, the Single Line Concept system can provide functionally to meet most voice applications. SLC can be customized in many ways to meet the needs of the customer. Some operating examples are as follows:
- All incoming calls are answered and screened by a central answering position(s). Staff desiring calls to be answered and forwarded to them, can advertise the main department's telephone number only.
- All incoming calls go directly to staff. Staff desiring that their calls to go directly to them, advertise their individual ESSX line that is terminated on their phone. Staff not in their office can have their calls answered in their absence by using the line feature Call Forwarding No Answer or Busy and/or Memory Call Voice Mail, or use a phone with a built-in answering machine.
- Staff located in different floors and buildings all over the Campus are provided with extension (station to station) dialing. This gives the feel that the department is all in one building.
- Staff can be furnished with simple single line telephones (2500 sets) to multi-line Nortel Digital Meridian Business telephone sets. Depending on the desired functionally of each staff, there are many telephone sets to choose from. Central answering position(s) should have the functionally afforded by the digital multi-line Nortel Meridian sets. In addition, the central answering position(s) may need the ability to monitor station busy conditions that assist in call handing. Single Line Concept systems offer station busy consoles as well.
- ATT has an Automated Attendant service based upon the Memory Call Octel platform. This Automated Attendant service provides basic functions and provides satisfactory results in many situations.
- Single Line Concept systems can be unlimited in size. No matter how large a department may be, SLC will handle the number of telephone or stations required.