OCA Open communications architecture, a strategy for the future, providing a framework for existing and future telecommunications products. OCA frees the customer from the constraints of proprietary architectures and, by harnessing the power of technology, unlocks the full potential of telecommunications.
ODBC Open Database Connectivity. AMicrosoft standard which allows databases created by various relational and non-relational database programs to be accessed by a common interface.
OFF-HOOK CALL ANNOUNCING Off-hook call announcing allows messages to be paged through to an extension via the loudspeaker while the user talks on the handset. Off-hook call announcing is sometimes referred to as dual audio.
ON-HOOK DIALLING A terminal with on-hook dialling lets you dial a number without picking up the handset. This is be useful if you’re calling a recorded announcement or waiting for the call to be answered.
OPERATOR CONSOLES Operator consoles used to be known as switchboards and are the centralised answering points on PBX systems. They give the operator information about the status of calls, lines and extensions. Other information is also available depending on system and sophistication.
OPTICAL FIBRE CABLING This is the high-capacity cabling used by the telephone network operators.
OPX An OPX is an off-premise extension, this lets extensions to be sited outside your main building but still be part of the internal telephone system. There may some restrictions to distance and functionality so another solution could be the use of mobile extensions such as DECT phones.
OSI Open Systems Interconnection. ISO’s reference model for a seven-layer network architecture used for the definition of network protocol standards.
OVERSQUARE WORKING This is the term used for systems that have more exchange lines than extensions and is common on call centres where customers are held in a queue prior to speaking to an operator.
