The Cisco IP Phone 7940G, a key offering in the IP Phone portfolio, addresses the communication needs of a transaction type worker. It provides two programmable line and feature keys, plus a high quality speakerphone. The Cisco IP Phone 7940G also has four dynamic soft keys that guide users through call features and functions. Built-in headset port and integrated Ethernet Switch are standard with the Cisco IP Phone 7940G. Also includes audio controls for full duplex speakerphone, handset and headset. The Cisco IP Phone 7940G also features a large, pixel-based LCD display. The display provides features such as date and time, calling party name, calling party number, and digits dialed.

The graphic capability of the display allows for the inclusion of such features as XML (Extensible Markup Language) and future features. The 7940G is multi-protocol capable (SCCP, SIP, MGCP).

Features

The Cisco 7940G is dynamic and designed to grow with system capabilities. Features will keep pace with new changes via software updates to the phone's flash memory. The phone provides many accessibility methods according to user preference. Various methods or paths include buttons, softkeys, a navigation key, and direct access with the use of corresponding "ghost" digits. Each of the features below will have expanded capabilities in the future:

Messages

Direct access to voice mail. In the near future voice mail speech to text readout on the display.
Directories

The Cisco IP Phone 7940G identifies incoming messages and categorizes them for users on the screen. This allows users to quickly and effectively return calls using direct dial-back capability.

The corporate directory integrates with the Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP3) standard directory.
Settings

The Settings feature key allows the user to adjust display contrast and select from a large number of unique ringer sounds, volume settings for all audio such as ringer, handset, headset, and speaker.
Network Configuration preferences can also be set up. (Network configuration is usually set up by the System Administrator.)
Configuration can either be automatic or manually set up for Dynamic Host Control Protocol (DHCP), Trivial File Transfer Protocol (TFTP), CallManager, and backup CallManagers.
A huge advantage is the ability for no hands on moves and changes. Just pick up the phone and move to the new location anywhere on your network. No system administration is required.
Services

The Cisco 7940G allows users to quickly access diverse information such as weather, stocks, quote of the day, or any Web-based information using extensible markup language (XML) to provide a portal to an ever-growing world of features and information.
Help

The online help feature gives users information about the phone's keys, buttons, and features.
The pixel display allows for greater flexibility of features and significantly expands the information viewed when using features such as Services, Information, Messages, and Directory. For example, the Directory button can show local and server-based directory information.
The Cisco IP Phone 7940G features high-quality, speakerphone technology. It also includes an easy-to-use speaker on/off button and microphone mute buttons. These buttons are lit when active.

The internal Cisco two-port Ethernet switch allows for a direct connection to a 10/100BASE-T Ethernet network via an RJ-45 interface with single LAN connectivity for both the phone and a co-located PC. The system administrator can designate separate virtual LANs (VLANs) (802.1Q) for the PC and Cisco IP Phones providing improved security and reliability of voice and data traffic.

A dedicated headset port eliminates the need for a separate amplifier when using a headset. This allows the handset to remain in its cradle, making headset use simpler. The Cisco IP phone's convenient volume control button provides for easy decibel-level adjustments for the speakerphone, handset, headset, and ringer. The handset is Hearing Aid Compatible (HAC) and meets FCC loudness requirements for Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Section 508 loudness requirements can be achieved using industry standard inline handset amplifiers such as Walker Equipment W-10 or CE-100 amplifiers.

The dial pad is also ADA compliant.

The footstand of the Cisco 7940G is adjustable from flat to 60 degrees to provide optimum display viewing and comfortable use of all buttons and keys. The footstand is keyed to match standard wall jack configurations for wall mounting. Two optional wall mount brackets are also offered as noted below.

The Cisco IP Phone 7940G can also receive power down the LAN from any of the Cisco inline power-capable blades and boxes.

For added security, the audible dual-tone multifrequency (DTMF) tones are masked when the speakerphone mode is used.

Other Cisco IP Phone 7940G features include:

• 24+ user-adjustable ring tones
• A hearing-aid-compatible handset (meets American Disabilities Act [ADA] requirements) and HAC compliance for magnetic coupling to approved HAC hearing aids
• G.711 and G.729a audio compression
• H.323 compatible and Microsoft NetMeeting compatibility
• An IP address assignment—DHCP client or statically configured
• Comfort noise generation and voice activity detection (VAD) programming on a system basis
  

The phone also includes the following settings:

Display contrast
Ring type
Network configuration
Call status