I have used the Avaya 6408D+ at work for over 2 years and I have to say I am quite impressed with it. This is a digital phone designed to be used in a business environment. In order to function properly, it requires a digital circuit that is set up as part of a digital telephone system. In my company we have the AUDIX messaging system for voice mail and call transfers. This allows a user to set up their own voicemail greeting and also allows a personal login to receive messages.
The 6408D+ is a corded phone that includes a built-in 2-way speakerphone. Above the keypad are 6 function buttons: MUTE turns off the microphone associated with the handset so the person at the other end of line cannot hear you (a red light indicates when this is in use) SPKR for activating the speakerphone (a red light indicates when this is in use) HOLD for placing calls on hold REDIAL
for redialling the last phone number TRNSFR for transferring a call to another number CONF for creating a 3-way conference call with two different callers.
Above these buttons are 4 buttons used to control the LED display. The display is capable of displaying 24 characters in 2 lines of text. The display control buttons include MENU, EXIT, PREV and NEXT. My phone in the office displays the time and date as default and then has a caller ID when dialling/receiving calls. This particular functionality I believe is controlled by the AUDIX messaging system or telecoms department. Along the right-hand side of the phone are 8 user programmable buttons. The first 3 of these are dedicated to ingoing/outgoing calls for the purpose of call waiting. The other buttons can be set to various functions such as send all calls to voicemail (I love this function as it means you are essentially "out of office", pick up another phone that is connected to your network (i.e when a phone is ringing on the other side of the office), search the directory and caller display. Whether these functions are active or not is dependent on the telecoms department. At the bottom of the phone are the volume control buttons that make the ringtone louder/quieter when the phone is not in use and make the call louder/quieter when on a call. At the bottom right of the phone there is a small light with an envelope next to it. When this light is red it means that you have a voicemail, this is a very useful reminder to have.
The 6408D+ includes a stand that can be attached at the base of the phone. This stand is used to either elevate the phone at about a 30 degree angle, or to be mounted on the wall. When mounted on the stand, the phone measures 20cm(W) x 24cm (D) x 13cm (H). The LED display can be tilted up so that it is easier to read without leaning over the phone. Tilting the display also is helpful for keeping the glare from the sun from obstructing your view of the display. It can also be folded flat if you are mounting the phone to a wall, so that it is easy to read when looking directly at the phone.
I have found the sound quality of the 6408D+ has always been good, and I have rarely had any problems with the sound not being clear or easy to hear. In the few instances where I have had trouble hearing the other parties on a call, it is always due to their use of a speakerphone in a conference room that has poor sound reception. I have also on occasion experienced a poor quality line when dialling internationally but I cannot guarantee that this is a fault with the phone or simply a poor line. Certainly when dialling any number in the UK the reception is top class. I think the speakerphone could have been better. It seems to work well at a low volume, but there is a marked deterioration in sound quality as the volume goes up. Also I have had encounters where people on the other end have not been able to hear me clearly when I was using the speakerphone function.
Overall I have found this phone very easy to use. I like the LED display as it shows the number you are dialling as you dial it and also displays incoming calls which is nice when you want to avoid the boss! The mute and speaker buttons are very useful when on conference calls and the two lights above these buttons means that you know exactly the status of the phone….so no embarrassing comments need be made when you think you are on mute! I have found that it is easy to use the 6408D+ for 3-way calls using the HOLD and CONF buttons. When you have one person on the line, you simply press HOLD to put them on hold, then select an open line, dial the other person's number, and then press CONF to bring both of the calls together into a 3-way call. This method for conferencing in two callers has worked reliably for me and I have never had a problem where the phone has malfunctioned and dropped either of the calls.
One of the other useful features for the 6408D+ is the adjustable volume button for the ringer tone, the sound volume while on a call. I've found it easy to use because there is only one volume control button that has an up arrow and a down arrow, and this one volume control is used for both volume levels.
I have used this phone for over 2 years now and it has not once let me down. I have noticed no deterioration in the sound quality nor the loss of any functions. My workplace can be a stressful environment and I do tend to slam my handset down on occasions. However, the phone still looks and works as good as new. If you are looking for an office telecoms solution then you could do a lot worse than this model. It has the 2 main features that you need, easy to use and durable. Price range on these looks to be £130 - 170.
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