A while back, I bricked a 450HD. Ooopseyo!
When I contacted Audiocodes to whine for a new one they sent me a 445HD also. Why? Beats me, maybe they think I will review it?
Here is the official marketing fluff. Assuming you take the time to read all that, does it all add up to “An advanced high-end business phone with a color screen and integrated sidecar for speed dial contacts and presence monitoring.”
Yes, I think it does. If you are in the market for a higher-end low-end phone, this is it. Need some color in your users life or they can’t keep up with the Jones? This is it. Need something to connect to Office 365 SfbO? This is it.
Here is the 445HD feature list:
Certified for Skype for Business
Graphic 4.3" color multi-lingual LCD screen (480x272)
6 programmable multi-function keys
4 soft keys
12 programmable speed dial keys with presence monitoring on a dedicated LCD (376 X 60)
GbE Support
USB headset support
In case you have not done any professional reading here is the overall Audiocodes IP Phone “highlights.”
High voice quality
Support for SILK codec
Full duplex speaker phone
Robust security mechanisms
PoE or external power supply
Out of the box global redirection server support
Multi-language user interface
Centralized management with AudioCodes IP Phone Manager (available for download free of charge)
Build Quality
The only complaint I can gin up on this subject is the stand portion – I always think I want more adjustability. Other than that (and that is extremely minor), the materials and construction are top-notch.
Does it work with Skype (Online or on-premises – better known now as SfBO and SfBS)?
Duh! Why else would I be writing this? Yes, near seamlessly. Not totally seamless because to do web login I have to jump through some O365 hoops. But, in the end, I will paraphrase a popular Norte Americano beer spot: “…works great, less hassle…”
I have full status for system users… if they are on SfB, then I see their presence. The side car can be programmed with an extension on the system, and I get presence from that minimal information. So nice.
Audio
Audiocodes provides great audio. Maybe even excellent audio. IMHO, much better than the competition.
But how is this thing to use?
I use it as a calendar minder, a phone call maker, a redial source because I am lazy, and a speaker phone because I don’t want a headset clamped on my noggin all day. Did I say it has a color screen? Visually, the 445HD works really well.
Buttons are large, with excellent tactile feedback. Programming the phone can be done via IP Manager, configuration files stored on an FTP or TFTP, or the device has a web interface. All of this thought out for maximum ease of use, which is mostly delivered upon. An example would be the attached sidecar buttons. Although, can it really be a sidecar if there is not a detachable piece? It’s all one unit.
So how about the “side buttons” which are referred to as “function keys.” No matter. Find a “function” key that has a blank display and press it. The phone immediately pops to that menu and allows you to enter in your favorite bodega for delivery.
and a few judicious key presses later we have lunch on the hook.
It won’t take an advanced degree in psychodynamics to figure out the rest of the phone either. The controls are very clear and solid feeling.
Support
Depending on to whom you address the question, Audiocodes has great-to-excellent support for the HD IP Phones. You can count on the dev’s there to be looking at their firmware and they are ever-improving things. Mainstream, forward looking, and easy to contact.
Summary
I like this phone device. Great price point, great feature set. The only thing missing is touch, but the target for this device is not the touch crowd. I can see this device as that “in-between” model where you need something more, but just not all that more (see 450HD). Typical Audiocodes quality means you cannot go wrong.
You can get your very own 445HD right here.
YMMV
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