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EDITOR'S NOTE: We will include a dissertation on the TDE series with this article. Both the TDE and the NCP are identical, save their physical cabinets and the scale of the system.
OVERVIEW
The Panasonic NCP/TDE series units are spectacular in what they do. They offer feature-rich and downright excellent reliable operation to any size business. Expect to start at 4 stations and 4 lines with an increase up to 600 phones. This system is our favorite pick.
THE GOOD
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Can function in tandem with other Panasonic units (TDA, TDE, and NCP series)
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Backwards compatible up to 15 years
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Very reliable and well-built equipment
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Well-known brand
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Good voicemail system
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Flexible architecture
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Wide variety of available telephones
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Good value for the money
THE BAD
THE UGLY
WHAT IT IS
Hardware
1 – Panasonic NCP-500 Carrier Unit
1 – LCOT4 Analog Trunk Card
1 – DHLC4 Hybrid Station Card
1 – IPCMPR Processor Card
1 – 4 Port VoIP DSP daughter board
1 – TVA-50 Voicemail Unit
Software
1 – Panasonic SoftPhone
1 – Panasonic Installer Software Suite
Phones
1 – KX-NT366 24 Logical Button IP Phone w/6 line display
1 – KX-NT346 24 Button IP Phone w/6 line display
1 – KX-NT343 24 Button IP Phone w/4 line display
1 – KX-DT343 24 Button Digital Phone w/4 line display
1 – DECT Cordless Phone
1 – Conference Phone
1 – Full color TPZ Security IP Camera
Service
1 – Analog Loop-Start CO Line
WHAT IT DOES
The Panasonic systems are our favorite. They are robust, feature-rich, and “bullet-proof.” What is so nice about these systems is the way they are engineered around a specific phone set. That is, it is so simple to go from a TDA to a TDE without loosing what you know and how you do it. Even Panasonic phones from a decade ago will work with them – and so will the old TVS series voicemail units. Panasonic has engineered all of their systems to be backwards compatible, saving time and money – and we don't see that attitude changing in the near future.
Functionally, it comes out of the box doing everything that you'd expect it to do – and then some. All the standard features are there. And, because the NCP and TDE series processors are built with VoIP functionality on-board, no upgrade is required to use the IP features of the switch. It comes with the ability to do SIP trunking and H.323 VoIP sets already without the need for additional hardware. One word of caution, however. Make sure you buy a channel board for your needs. They are available in 4, 16, and 64 port varieties. (You can also change them out later if you wish.)
The voicemail system is very impressive – offering as much functionality as the Avaya Voicemail PRO. We would have liked to have seen the TVA units be IP based, however. You can add a 10/100 Ethernet card for advanced IP functionality easily. Functionally, they do everything from voicemail-to-email integration to fax forwarding. Inbound call recording is also easily accomplished with the TVA's – just be careful, the TVA-50 will run out of storage space mighty quick if you do it. Unfortunately, automatic bi-directional call recording and stealth recording are not available. This is sad, and really limits the Panasonic's ability to operate an effective call-center (see below). These voicemail systems can be a real pain in the rear to set-up if you do not know exactly how it operates. Yet, if your installers are Panasonic Certified, you won't have much of a problem.
The only argument you will get out of me on this system is the lack of advanced call-center functionality. Why Panasonic chose to ignore its customers with call centers is a matter of painful conjecture on our end. You can fudge your way through a small center with the UCD group feature; however, for database integration, wall boards, stealth bi-directional recording, and advanced supervisor functions you will probably want to look towards an Avaya IP Office 500 or Definity – especially for a large inbound call center.
By the way, if you are in the hospitality industry, this is the perfect system for you. As most hotels and motels can attest, the only system out there for them used to be the Mitel. However, the Panasonic TDE series is the perfect switch to let Mitel know that they can go shove it – as the Panasonic does everything it does for 1/3 the cost. PMS Integration, call costing, flex room numbering, multiple hotel operators, and a ton of analog ports are all standard equipment.
Other great features abound, such as door phones and strikes (up to 4) and the ability to use IP security cameras on the system. With the KX-NT400, you can tilt, pan, and zoom all from the full-color touch screen display – a wonderful feature for daycares and schools. The Panasonic is built on SD technology, which is kind of like a SIM chip in a cellular phone. All system data is stored on this small wafer-sized chip. You can also use the SD chip for a small rudimentary voicemail – good if you are on a really tight budget.
As far as phones go, they are excellent. The 300 series includes a beautifully back-lit display and the 400 series has a full-color touch screen. DECT cordless phones are also a nice feature. These can work in tandem with your desk phone. If you must leave, just grab the cordless and answer your phone anywhere within the building. An excellent conference room phone is also available. The phones are not as expensive as you might think. In fact, only the Verticals are cheaper.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Any business no matter the size would love this system. It is reliable, feasible, and loaded with power. It can also be had for a song. Whether you need 6 phones or 600, this system will do it – and do it well. The only exception to this is a call-center environment. If you must have a call center, choose the Avaya IP Office. Otherwise, this system can't be beat!
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