PACKET SWITCHING A data communications technique where the data is broken down into fixed-length units (packets) which are then transmitted to their destination through the fastest route. The receiving station ensures that all units are received and are in proper sequence before forwarding the data to an addressee.
PAGING Paging is available on most key systems, this lets you make announcements to all extensions which have handsets with built-in loudspeakers. Extensions can also be set up into groups (sales, service etc), this can be very useful if calls are put through to a department rather than an individual. Paging can also be used to locate someone who is away from their desk and a call transferred via a different extension.
PBX PBX stands for Private Branch Exchange, it is also known as PABX, Private Automatic Branch Exchange. It is the technical term for a telephone system where calls are answered by a central operator and then distributed as opposed to a key system. With a PBX the intelligence is in the CPU and the handsets are usually very basic. The difference between PBX and key systems is becoming very blurred and so care needs to be taking in deciding which solution is more appropriate.
PCI PCI stands for pre-connection inspection, this used to be required prior to a telephone system being connected to the public telephone network.
PCMCIA Personal computer memory card international association.
PIGGYBACKING Is the term used when one or even a number of key systems may be routed off the main PBX so that an individual or department may have the functionality offered by the key system. This is also known as host/subsidiary working.
POINT AND CLICK Aprocess whereby the user moves their mouse until the pointer on the screen reaches the desired button or control on the screen. The mouse is clicked to initiate the activity associated with that button or control.
PORTS Ports are access point to a telephone system and are used to describe the size, i.e. maximum number of exchange lines and extension lines available or the total number of ports that can be accessed. Most modern system are sized by the total number of ports so that you can decide the mix of exchange lines and extensions.
PRI Primary Rate Interface. Access to the ISDN service at 2.048Mbps in Europe known as 30B+D).
PRIVATE CIRCUITS Dedicated telecommunications links between nodes.
PRIVATE NETWORK A communication network designed and operated for the exclusive use of a particular organisation or group of organisations.
PROGRAMMABILITY Most modern telephone systems are highly flexible in the way they can be programmed with many featured being decided by the user at the installation stage. This level of programmability means that you can tailor the system to your exact requirements as opposed to finding a system that sort of fits. It is important, however,that consideration is given to your requirement before the system is programmed so that you can attain the most benefit.
PROGRAMMABLE FUNCTION KEYS Programmable function keys are found on some key stations and feature phones on PABX’s. They can be programmed by an engineer to give you specific functions such as one-touch dialling or exchange line indicators. Although they are programmed by an engineer, there functions can be determined by the user according to their particular requirements.
PSTN Stands for public switched telephone network and is essentially the ordinary telephone network that links most telephones to most other telephones.
PSU Power Supply Unit
PT0s PTO stands for Public Telephone Operators and are the owners of the telecommunication networks such as BT, Energis, Cable & Wireless, NTL etc. Due to the introduction of cable there are now a plethora of PTO’s to choose from.
PTT Postal, Telegraph and Telephone Organisation. A government department responsible for and with authority over postal, telegraph and telephone operations.
