I was recently at a trade show when a woman asked my opinion on which Cisco IP phone system her company should invest in… the 7940G or the 7960G? Both are terrific phone systems and share most of the same features. But because she was unsure, I thought it might be a good topic to do a quick blog post on in case anyone else found themselves wondering the same thing.
Let’s start with the Cisco 7940G. The 7940 was designed for the communications needs of a transaction-type worker. It provides two programmable line and feature keys, plus a high-quality speakerphone. The Cisco Unified IP Phone 7940G also has four dynamic soft keys that guide users through call features and functions. A built-in headset port and an integrated Ethernet switch are standard with the Cisco Unified IP Phone 7940G. The phone also includes audio controls for the full-duplex speakerphone, handset, and headset. This phone also features a large, pixel-based LCD display that provides information such as date and time, calling party name, calling party number, and digits dialed. Figure 2 shows the icon buttons on the phone, with word overlay in English included in the documentation package with each phone.
The Cisco Unified IP Phone 7960G, a key offering in the IP Phone portfolio, is a full-featured IP phone primarily for manager and executive needs. It provides six programmable line/feature buttons and four interactive soft keys that guide a user through call features and functions. Audio controls for duplex speakerphone, handset and headset. The Cisco Unified IP Phone 7960G also features a large, pixel-based LCD display. The display provides features are the same as those on the 7940G. The graphic capability of the display allows for the inclusion of such features as XML (Extensible Markup Language) and future features.
So the answer? The phones in the 7600 Series are compatible. Those answering a high volume of calls for others would fare better with the 7940G, while executives and managers would most likely prefer the 7960G.