[Asterisk-Users] Re: Polycom vs. Cisco IP Phones

[Noah Miller]

> Not sure the rquirements for your receptionist. I have found that the
> IP600 does have most everything required to function properly. If you
> do have an office without DID and a lot of traffic then you may want to
> look at the tools to display status on her computer. I do have a Snom
> inhouse for testing when I get a chance. Their quality however is not
> as good as either Cisco or Polycom.

My experience is that the Cisco and Polycom phones are both about in 
terms audio quality and useability.  Neither one does exactly what I'd 
expect with respect to multiple lines.  They both take a little extra 
setup in this regard, but you can read the wiki for that stuff.  Snoms 
do exactly what I'd expect for a multiple line phone, are very easy to 
setup, but the audio quality and usability do not compare favorably 
with either Cisco or Polycom.

Between Cisco and Polycom, I went with Polycom just because of cost.  
The Polycom units are MUCH less expensive (since this is not the biz 
list, ask me privately about my reseller that is cheaper than others 
you'll find).  On the other hand, Polycom VoIP phones are NOT supported 
by the company.  The only way I've gotten support for them is from this 
list.  Cisco definitely supports all their products quite nicely (for a 
fee).