What is plug and play (PnP)?

The phrase ‘plug and play’ has never been more relevant. Originating from the computing world, it first referred to a computer that was delivered to a customer and could simply be plugged in by the end user. It would work without any setup required! Years have passed and the phrase now relates to almost all types of technology, telephony included, and offers huge benefits for those that need to work remotely or from home. With ‘plug and play’ technology, a challenging situation can be made much easier.

Published: 23/03/2020
Updated: 08/07/2024

Nowadays, a large percentage of desk phones, including the latest version of Android phone systems such as the Enreach HD touch phone, are available as plug and play. This means that the phones can be setup however your company requires, before the phones are even installed. This allows you to use your phone as soon as it is delivered to your office or home without any long setup and wait times.

How does a plug and play (PnP) device work?

Plug and play devices connect direct to a computer or system. Once the operating system detects the device installed it will locate and install the necessary drivers to enable communication between the device and computer. This enables full usability without any additional input from the user. When it comes to telecomm setup, common PnP hardware include:

VoIP phones
Routers
WiFi access points
Network switches

Within wider business you can even factor in IP security systems, printers, projectors or smart tv’s.

This is a huge benefit to businesses who are currently working remotely and adjusting to a new way of working. You can simply take your desk phone home, plug it into a power socket and get connected. Alternatively, if you were using more traditional handsets in your office, you’re now able to upgrade to a new system that comes ready to use. The beauty of plug and play is that this can all be done without the need for an engineer to physically be on site.

Plug and play is standard for almost all business laptops. Even if your business didn’t previously use laptops, you are able to reap the benefits of plug and play, as your new laptop can arrive fully configured and ready to go! As with the telephony equipment, any additional setup required, such as a VPN, can be done remotely.

Benefits of Plug and Play Devices

Plug and play devices were introduced to aid users in implementing hardware themselves and reduce the need for technical expertise. This has majorly benefitted the telecomms industry where the setup of phone systems and peripherals previously required engineers on the ground.

By removing this challenge to eases setup, reduces costs to providers which in-turn reduces costs for the customer, and enables full feature set of the hardware right out of the box.

Benefit	Description
Ease of Installation	Setting up devices is quick and simple, requiring no technical expertise or complicated procedures.
Reduced Downtime	Minimising service interruptions is achievable as devices can be swiftly installed or replaced.
Cost Efficiency	Minimises the need for expert installation and training for staff.
User-Friendly	Setup is intuitive, making PnP devices accessible for non-technical users to manage devices.
Flexibility	Devices can be easily swapped. As your business requirements change so can the technology.
Faster Deployment	The roll-out of new services and technologies is quicker, ensuring quicker operating times due to less manual configuration.

Want to find out how our telephony solutions can help you increase your productivity and reduce your costs, or just some friendly, impartial advice on the best tools to make comms a breeze? Contact us today via our live chat, 0333 3603 723, or email enquiries.uk@enreach.com.

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How to get a plug and play touch phone?

If you want to get a plug and play touch phone, there are a few ways to do it. The first is simply to go with your phone company and ask if they offer any sort suitable services. Many companies do, but each one will have different options and prices associated with them. At Enreach it really is as as easy as pie. Get in touch with us, we can then find a plan that suits your needs.

To expand on features not offered with a traditional phone solution, you can get in touch with us to learn the many benefits that a cloud telephony solution can provide, and there are really a lot of benefits! To find out more, or for some friendly advice on any help you may need to create contact magic, give us a call on 0333 3603 723 or email us at enquiries.uk@enreach.com.

Frequently asked questions

What is plug and play in telecommunications?

Plug and play enables a device to automatically configure itself to your computer. The obvious example is a VoIP phone.

How does plug and play work in telecom devices?

Hardware that is PnP enabled comes pre-configured with settings or software that can be detected by a network. Once the hardware is connected it will instantly begin communicating with the network to start functioning.

How do plug and play devices benefit telecommunications customers?

By utilising the hardware that your service provider sends you the plug and play element reduces the need for engineers on site. This not only saves the customer time, but reduces the need for the customer to have technical knowledge. The impact of this is a reduction in bills due to lower operational and maintenance costs.

What should I do if a plug and play device isn’t working?

If Enreach has provided you with PnP hardware and it is not working as you’d expect, we recommend contacting our customer support team who will help to diagnose and resolve the issue. This might include firmware updates or network compatibility checks.

How does plug and play impact network performance?

A plug and play device should not impact the performance of your network if implemented correctly. If you are experiencing network issues we recommend contacting your service provider to help resolve issues. The issue may not be caused by the PnP device.

Are plug and play devices secure?

Although plug and play devices are designed for user-friendliness, features are put in place to ensure encryption, authentication, and firmware updates are built-in to ensure the ongoing security of the device and network against emerging threats.