AT&T has launched telephone systems for small businesses that enable certain phones share the same extension with other standard communications devices, eliminating the need for dedicated lines and adaptors. Facsimile and answering machines, credit card readers, rotary or touch phones and modem or cordless phone bases can be plugged into the same extension as a multi-line phone. The new systems have been named Partner phones and they will be manufactured in Shreveport, Louisiana. As well as the extension feature, Partner has standard features such as hold, transfer, intercom, built-in speakerphone, conferencing, speed dial, last number redial, call restriction and volume control. They are also hearing-aid compatible. The system is two tiered, Partner being the smaller of the two systems, and Partner Plus an expanded version. Partner has a capacity starting with two outside lines and six extensions and can be expanded to four outside lines and 12 extensions. Partner Plus has eight line and 24 extension capacity. It also offers other features such as Fax Management, and Call Restriction, which blocks calls to certain numbers, exchanges or area codes from specified extensions. Partner Plus also enables a customer to use an external loudspeaker paging system, a door phone and music on hold. An average Partner system – two lines and three Partner telephone sets – is $880. An average Partner Plus system – four lines and seven sets – is $2,480. Both systems will be available in the US and Canada next month.
