Different business phones suit different needs. There are some which cover the mere basics. And others include plenty of extra functionalities.
You will likely be interested in the second category if you are a busy executive. And you will likely be interested to know more about Polycom’s VVX 601 business media phone.
Originally released in 2017, the VVX 601 became the next in line of the VVX series. It emerged as the heir of the VVX 501 and VVX 600 models. Two phones have established themselves as viable office communication solutions.
The VVX 601 is the Poly company’s high-range option for business media phones. According to the manufacturer, this is THE PHONE for executives, knowledge workers, or any busy environment in general. Or, to quote the exact claim, the VVX 601 provides ‘’the best-in-class desktop productivity for corporate executives and managers’’.
So, does the VVX 601 take the UC experience to new heights? This review will test such claims and navigate you to decide whether this phone is a good fit for your workplace.
Table of Contents
UNBOXING
The Polycom VVX 601 pack includes a base unit, headset, cord, and network cable. It might come with a power cord if purchased from some VoIP suppliers, but in our case, it did not.
However, the power cord availability is not such a big deal. It’s common to charge the device using the router’s PoE ports.
APPEARANCE
Like the VVX 600, the VVX 601 has a 4,3’’ QVGA touch-screen display. The colors are rich, and the actual touch-screen – responsive. The feeling is smartphone-like and is further recreated by the seamless screen navigation.
The phone has quite a smooth metallic appearance. Putting the premium in the “premium business phone” is enough. We found the phone a bit too light, but the headset is heavy enough, providing the classic desk phone feeling.
The stand of the VVX 601 is adjustable. If you have read our review of Yealink T48G, you will know why this might be a big deal for some users.
SOUND
AS EXPECTED FROM A HIGH-END BUSINESS PHONE, the VVX 601’s sound quality is flawless.
Polycom’s Acoustic Fence feature ensures crystal-clear communication. Essentially, it blocks out all the background noise. The phone held up to the test in our cramped office.
It is perfect for high-paced environments such as buzzing offices or call centers.
UI AND FUNCTIONALITY
We found the phone’s navigation to be intuitive and easy. The menu is very smartphone-like. The VVX 601 has 12 programmable keys that can be used to access the most important contacts with a touch.
The time and date and the basic soft key functionalities are visible when the display is idle. The screen shows the caller’s information when there is an incoming call.
There are 3 options for picking up on a call. Number one is picking up the headset, number two is pressing the Answer box on the screen, and number three is pressing the hard Speaker button. All of them work just fine.
The Intercom function is another productivity-enhancing feature that VVX 601 boosts. It comes with any Polycom VVX phone registered with the OnSIP boot server. It is easily activated from the phone’s on-screen menu.
When selected, the Intercom opens the line to another VVX user without any action required. The call is connected automatically and set to speakerphone for your convenience.
This means co-workers can speak directly to one another without worrying about pressing buttons or picking the headset up. It would fit well in smaller office structures, looking for a more agile workflow.
However, the intercom function works only with fellow VVX devices. Fortunately, this includes VVX devices from older series as well. It also includes devices not on the same LAN so that this feature can speak to people remotely.
Can the intercom feature be a legit selling point for equipping the entire office with VVX devices? It depends on the organization’s structure. But if you and your team have decided to do so anyway – it surely comes as a nice handy bonus.
However, another quality of the 601 might be the real point of sale. It is its integration capabilities.
LEGITIMATE POS
The Polycom VVX 601 improves personal productivity by complementing workplace applications on their computer. Users can view and manage their Microsoft Exchange Calendars, receive meeting reminders and alerts, or access the corporate directory.
For example, you can check how your Outlook calendar looks for this week before scheduling a meeting with the person on the other side of the line.
CONNECTIVITY
The VVX 601 comes with dual USB ports at the back. If you wish to see your company’s logo as a screensaver – just put it on a USB drive and stick it in.
The VVX 601 supports up to 3 of Polycom’s VVX Expansion modules. This makes it ideal for anyone who regularly monitors and manages a large volume of calls regularly. The modules do not require any set-up, as this process is automated by the host VVX phone.
The phone also comes with native Bluetooth 2.1 EDR. It doesn’t get any easier to pair your wireless headset. All that needs to be done is turn the phone’s Bluetooth on and pair the two devices.
Finally, the VVX 601 can be paired with a camera. Just like Bluetooth, it is easy to set up. Unlike Bluetooth, it must be purchased separately.
CONFIGURATION AND DEPLOYMENT
Whether for 1 or 100 devices – the VVX 601 is a breeze to set up with almost all the VoIP providers out there. Even people with little technical knowledge can do it. Also, there are plenty of tutorials and guides on how to do that online.
KEEP IN MIND
Polycom has a very stringent warranty and support policy. It is not uncommon that support is not offered to users who have purchased phones from unauthorized vendors.
What is the best practice for end-users? Always ask the potential vendors if they can initiate RMA procedures with Polycom Global.
The easy navigation and integration options make the VVX 601 a viable all-in-one solution. Despite minor flaws, the Polycom VVX 601 is a top-notch solution for top-tier professionals. If we have to grade it, we would give it a 9/10.