GRP Series
Buyer's Guide

The Modern IP Phone

While the demise of the desktop phone has been a popular topic for a few years now, it continues to be a staple of telephony and unified communications deployments. Even as cloud platforms with mobile and desktop apps become popular, the global IP desktop phone market continues to thrive. Desktop phones are central to the way many businesses operate and a familiar and reliable tool for staff. They are central to the way we’ve all become accustomed to communicating and provide the most reliable and dedicated portal for voice communication.

In order to remain a reliable and effective tool now and into the future, the IP phone has evolved in recent years through a variety of improvements and enhancements. As a result, the modern IP phone is easier than ever to deploy while being packed with features that make them more useful than ever. Many modern IP phones offer Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, feature sleek designs, include many customization options, and provide seamless user interfaces. Maybe of most significance, the modern IP phone is simple to deploy and manage thanks to cloud provisioning and management platforms.

Target Markets for IP Phone Deployments

Service Providers
Business service providers are one of the largest deployers of IP phones. Many offer packages that include IP phones and other SIP endpoints in order to provide turnkey solutions for business customers. 

Enterprises & Large Businesses
A voice network is a critical part of any enterprise communication solution. As large organizations become more dispersed and require more mobility both in the office and remotely, IP phones that support mobility and provide next-generation tools to keep in touch will be in demand. 

Small-to-Medium Businesses
SMBs rely more on voice than almost any other sector. Not only is SIP/VoIP an extremely cost-effective communication solution, but it now offers a platform to easily add video, surveillance, facility management, remote solutions and more. 

Hospitality
Think about it - have you ever had a hotel room that did not have a phone in it? The answer should be no. Most countries have laws requiring all hotel rooms have phones in them. Not only that, they provide for easy communication with guests, integrate with property management systems, and offer a guest service.

Education
Having a phone in every classroom, and for all administrative staff, provides a critical security protocol but also an easy way for teachers to keep in touch with other staff throughout the building. IP phones are a central part of most deployments in the education sector. 

Healthcare
Voice solutions will always be a major part of the way any healthcare facility operates. Whether they are used to communicate with patients or with staff in the facility itself, IP phones are required for every healthcare facility. Most patient rooms within any medical facility will have a phone in it. 

Considerations for Building an IP Phone Solution

1. Setup, Provisioning and Management

The power of cloud provisioning and management platforms allows modern IP phones to be deployed without having to touch each phone, provides centralized management and makes customizing devices easy. Grandstream provides the Grandstream Device Management System (GDMS) to provide all of that and more. We will tell you more about GDMS later, but let's take a look at how cloud management has made deploying IP phone quick and easy.

Zero-Touch Provisioning
No matter if you are deploying phones for a small business or a global enterprise, being able to deploy IP phones without having to touch each one saves an enormous amount of time. With cloud management, your devices will automatically grab their provisioning file when connected to a network. 

Centralized Device Management
As companies become more dispersed and as remote work becomes more common, cloud platforms like GDMS allow resellers, installers and IT team to easily manage all devices from anywhere they can get an internet connection. This also allows for active device alerts, diagnostics, reports and more. 

Device Customization
Cloud management platforms like GDMS make customizing devices easy by allowing them to be included in mass provisioning and set/managed centrally from the web. 

2. On-site Network Infrastructure 

There are 3 important factors of the local network that will determine the phones you will want to consider:

1.   Is the network wired, Wi-Fi, or a mix of both?
   While most deployments rely on wired networks, VoIP-over-Wi-Fi networks are becoming commonplace as Wi-Fi speeds match wired speeds. Even if you may not need Wi-Fi-capable IP phones now, there is a good chance you will in the near future. The GRP series includes a selection of Wi-Fi capable models.
2.   What is the capacity of the local network in terms of speed?
   If the local network supports speeds over 100Mbps and the voice solution will be often relied upon, we suggest deploying phones with Gigabit connections to support up to 1000Mbps. That will allow you to take advantage of the full power of the network and ensure the highest quality of voice communications.
   
   
3.   Will you have PoE access where the devices will be installed?
   Will there be access to a PoE switch - or are you able to add one? PoE is an efficient way to provide both a connection and power through one cable, simplifying the installation, but it might not be ideal for every location depending on facility layout. If you are using PoE, you will need to make sure the phones you use support it. 

3. Select the Ideal IP Phone for Each User

Call Volume
Does the user make and receive a lot of calls, or are they on the phone occasionally? Frequent users will benefit from a higher number of lines and SIP accounts to handle numerous calls simultaneously.

Call Activity
Does the user regularly communicate with many people? Does the business want presence on their voice solution? if yes, you will want phones with higher numbers of BLF/speed-dial keys and/or extension modules. Are they transferring calls and putting calls on hold? If so, having access to more lines is helpful. 

Connection Type
Wired or Wi-Fi? If wired, does the business' service plan provide speeds over 100Mbps? If yes, you will want phones that support Gigabit speeds for more active users. If Wi-Fi is in use, make sure to choose IP phones that support dual-band Wi-Fi. 

Mobility
Will the phone be moved around between different locations in an office? Will an employee be taking it between their office and home? Wi-Fi-compatible IP phones provide a great solution for mobility, but if you stick with a wired connection, PoE is recommended to eliminate the need for a power supply. 

Headsets and Speakerphones
Most users will want the option to use a headset, so make sure the IP phones you chose are compatible with their preferred headset. RJ9 has historically been the most utilized protocol and allows for use with EHS wireless headsets, but USB and Bluetooth are now mainstream. 

Building Voice Solutions with the GRP series

Made for Easy Mass Deployment

GDMS
The Grandstream Device Management System (GDMS) provides a free, cloud-based provisioning and management solution for the GRP series. It allows the GRP series to be easily mass provisioned, deployed in true zero-touch fashion, and actively managed/monitored by installers and IT staff. Enterprises and service providers can either re-direct to GDMS for device management, or the GDMS API can be directly integrated with their platform. GDMS is hosted on AWS, offering 99% reliability. Create your free account at gdms.cloud.

Zero-Touch Provisioning
It would take forever for service providers and enterprises to have to physically touch each device during provisioning. For these large deployments, devices need to be able to be automatically configured and provisioned as soon as they are plugged in. The GRP series and GDMS provide just that - a voice solution with true zero-touch provisioning. The GRP series can be automatically provisioned in the factory, added to a GDMS account, and then will be fully configured when connected to a network.

Centralized Cloud Management
GDMS also provides a centralized interface to manage, monitor and troubleshoot the GRP Series, including device & account management, device configuration, firmware upgrades, device monitoring, intelligent alarm, and statistical analysis - individually or in batches of devices by site, group and model. It adds security to protect enterprise networks, including bank-grade TLS encryption from end-to-end, two-factor login authentication, two-way certificate verification and encryption of all device information.

Next-Generation Features

Bluetooth
Bluetooth allows the GRP2614, GRP2615 and GRP2616 to support any Bluetooth headset and speakerphone, providing a handsfree option ideal for busy workers.

Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi is quickly becoming a relied upon method for deploying VoIP networks, especially as offices and workers become more mobile. The GRP2602W, GRP2612W, GRP2614 - GRP2616, GRP2624, GRP2634 & GRP2670 offer integrated dual-band Wi-Fi support. 

Digital Keys & Second LCDs
The GRP series helps users easily stay connected. Each model supports digital multi-purpose keys to allow their LCD screens to provide multiple pages of speed-dial/BLF  keys. The GRP2614 and GRP2616 add an entire second LCD screen, the GRP2604 includes additional paper BLF keys, and the GRP2615 and GRP2624 are compatible with the GBX20 EXT module.

Design
The GRP series was designed from scratch to provide sleek models with ergonomic handsets that also are engineered for maximum audio quality. Their eye-catching design gives a great impression to staff, customers, and visitors. 

Customizable Face Plates
The GRP series offers customizable faceplates for most models that allow service providers, enterprises, corporations and other organizations to customize their phones by putting their logo on them. This can be done in the factory so the devices are delivered to the end user ready-to-go.

Enterprise-Grade Endpoint Security
The GRP series provides Industry-leading security protection including secure device boot, random default password per device, unique security certificate per device, and encrypted data storage.

Designed for Enterprises, Structured & Priced for Any Business

Grandstream has long made it our mission to design state-of-the-art solutions that are easy-to-use and easy-to-attain for any business - and the GRP series is no different. By including 15 models ranging from basic to high-end devices with retail prices (MSRP) between $39 and $189 USD, the GRP Series is the ideal voice solution for businesses of all sizes - small businesses to global corporations.

A Large Portfolio Provides the Ideal Model for Every Need

Occasional, Basic Users
GRP2601 - GRP2604

• Users who handle low call to moderate volumes
• Common-area phones
• Hotel room phones
• Classroom phones

The GRP Essential series are designed to offer simple, easy-to-use and affordable desktop IP Phones with a sleek design.

• 2 - 6 SIP accounts
• Smaller, monochrome screens
• Gigabit ports on GRP2603 and GRP2604 models
• Available PoE
• Noise-shield technology
• Enterprise-grade security 

Mid-Range Users
GRP2612 - GRP2614

• Users who handle moderate to high volumes
• Most enterprise staff
• Remote workers (Wi-Fi models)
• Small-to-medium businesses

The GRP2612-GRP2614 offer mid-range devices with sleek designs and available next-gen features including Bluetooth and WiFi support.

• 2 - 6 SIP accounts
• Medium-sized color screens, Dual LCD (GRP2614)
• Gigabit ports on GRP2613/2614
• Available Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and PoE 
• Noise-shield technology
• Enterprise-grade security 

Frequent Users
GRP2615, GRP2616, GRP2624,
GRP2634 & GRP2670

• Users who handle high volumes and keep in touch with many people
• Sales people
• Receptionists
• Managers, Directors, Executives

The GRP series of Professional IP Phones provide powerful devices with sleek designs, included next-gen features, a second LCD or EXT module support.

• 5 - 6 SIP accounts
• Large color screens, Dual LCD (GRP2616), available EXT module (GRP2615 & GRP2624)
• Gigabit ports on both models
• Included Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and PoE
• Noise-shield technology
• Enterprise-grade security 

GRP series of Essential Carrier-Grade IP Phones Comparison Chart

GRP series of Professional Carrier-Grade IP Phones Comparison Chart

For more information on the GRP series, click below to visit their products page.