Keys
Programmable feature keys
The phone’s programmable feature keys have been pre-programmed by the Installer. The following chart indicates the number of programmable feature keys on these ESI phone models:
| ESI phone model | Number of programmable feature keys |
| ESI 60 Business Phone | 48 |
| ESI 40 Business Phone | 16 |
| 48-Key Feature Phone | 30 |
| 24-Key Feature Phone | 12 |
| ESI Cordless Handset II | 8 |
| 12-Key Feature Phone (legacy product) | 9 |
| ESI Cordless Handset (legacy product) | 4 |
You may wish to add to or change some of these keys to perform different functions explained throughout this User’s Guide. Press PROG/HELP to verify current settings (see “User programming: An introduction”).
Each ESI Cordless Handset has a combination key — either TRANS/CONF/PROG (Cordless Handset II) or TRANS/CONF/PRG (original Cordless Handsets) — that you should press when this User’s Guide instructs you to press PROG/HELP. [Each Cordless Handset has no access to the system’s Verbal User Guide (“help mode”).]
Note:
To use voice mail, conference calling and mute/DND on a legacy 12-Key Feature Phone, or to use call recording or do-not-disturb mode on an ESI Cordless Handset, you must program these features into programmable feature keys (see “Optional features”).
Fixed-feature keys
The fixed-feature keys on the phone are permanently labeled as to their usage. Each of the FLASH/RDL (RDL being short for REDIAL) and MUTE/DND keys on an ESI phone has two purposes; your ESI phone system will govern this by permitting only the appropriate function when either is pressed, depending on the circumstances at that moment. The different phone models have some different fixed-feature keys. (The 48-Key Feature Phone has separate FLASH and REDIAL keys; the legacy 12-Key Feature Phone has neither, although the switchhook can be used to generate FLASH signals and a programmable feature key can be programmed to act as a REDIAL key.)
Feature Phone overlays
Each ESI phone comes with one overlay for the programmable feature keys. To order additional overlays, visit the DESI™ Web site, www.desi.com. While there, you may also want to download the free Windows-based software, DESI Lite, which allows you to print on the overlays. For assistance with DESI products, contact DESI (the DESI Web site contains contact information).
Keys’ LEDs (lamps)
The LEDs (light-emitting diodes), or lamps, associated with the programmable and fixed keys aid in determining the status of their function. In general:
- Green indicates a function associated with your phone.
- Red indicates an occurrence at another station.
- Amber indicates the station’s status, either in DND mode or:
- With ESI Presence Management, off-premises.
- With ESI Cellular Management, not connected.
- A solidly lit lamp indicates in-use status.
- Blinking indicates an action, such as ringing or holding, is required; a fast blink calls for immediate action.
As an example, a blinking red key is a call ringing at another station; blinking green signifies ringing at your station. See also “Line keys.”)
SPEAKER key and speakerphone operation
Note:
The original ESI Cordless Handset models and legacy 12-Key Feature Phone lack speakerphones.
For hands-free conversation, use the SPEAKER key. When an outside call rings, you can press SPEAKER to connect to the caller via your phone’s built-in speakerphone. This lights the SPEAKER key’s LED. Or, while using the handset, you can switch a call to the speakerphone by pressing SPEAKER and hanging up the handset. (To revert to the handset from speakerphone mode, lift the handset again.) To perform group listening — i.e., have a handset conversation along with the caller’s voice broadcast over your speaker (group listening must be enabled by the Installer) — press SPEAKER while on a handset conversation but don’t hang up the handset.
Hands-free answer (internal calls only)
Note:
To use this feature on an ESI Cordless Handset, you must be using a headset.
You can program your phone either to enable or disable hands-free answer — press PROG/HELP 3 5. With hands-free enabled, an internal call to your station generates a short ring and a double connect tone, then automatically connects the caller to your speakerphone. With hands-free disabled, an internal call to your station generates a single-ring cadence; outside calls ring with a double-ring cadence.
Note:
The legacy 12-Key Feature Phone supports only hands-free listening. To answer, you must pick up the handset.
Volume/scroll keys
The two smaller keys just above the dialpad labeled with “down” and “up” arrows serve multiple purposes:
- Adjusting the volume heard through the handset and speaker — Your phone will maintain the chosen volume setting until you change it.
- Serving as scroll keys for operations, such as Esi-Dex or programming, that may show several entries on the display.
- Controlling the display backlighting on an ESI desktop phone with a backlit display — The choices are always-on-low, always-on-medium, always-on-high, on-with-activity, and off.
Notes:
Each ESI Cordless Handset lacks scroll keys, and thus doesn’t support features like Esi-Dex or Virtual Mailboxes.
To control volume on a Cordless Handset, use the buttons on the Handset’s side.
MUTE/DND
To disable your handset or speaker microphone during a conversation (either with the handset or speaker), press MUTE/DND. While the mute function is activated, the MUTE/DND LED will blink rapidly and the display shows MUTED.
When your phone is idle and you wish to make sure its calls go straight to voice mail, press MUTE/DND to toggle your phone in or out of DND (do-not-disturb) mode. The display will show DND and the MUTE/DND LED will glow amber.
Notes:
If you press MUTE/DND while your phone is ringing, this forwards the call to your voice mailbox and your station will be placed in DND.
On each Cordless Handset, muting is handled by either the MUTE key (Cordless Handset II) or the side-mounted MUTE button (original Cordless Handsets). For DND capability, assign key code 578 to a programmable feature key.
If your system is using ESI Presence Management, your phone’s MUTE/DND key won’t turn amber when you exit the building using your electronic key; for more details, refer to the ESI Presence Management User’s Guide (ESI part # 0450-0793). If you’re not sure whether your system is using ESI Presence Management, consult your System Administrator. For more information about ESI Presence Management, visit www.esi-estech.com/presence.
Soft feature keys
Soft feature keys are dynamic: when used, they constantly change your ESI phone’s status. These soft keys, located under the display, include ESI-DEX, PROG/HELP, and the scroll keys. Along with spoken and displayed commands, they guide you through the use of Esi-Dex, various programming activities, and controlling the volume of your phone’s handset and speaker.
