The ShoreTel system supports standards-based IP and analog telephones as well as a soft phone. The beauty of standards-based telephones is that competition will drive prices down, drive quality up and increase choice. IP telephones plug into the Ethernet network and communicate to the call management software on a ShoreGear voice switch using the Media Gateway Control Protocol (MGCP). Analog telephones plug into a ShoreGear voice switch and communicate to directly to the call management software on the associated voice switch.

The ShorePhones are highly functional devices, supporting a complete suite of telephony services including make call, take call, transfer, conference, pickup, park, intercom and multiple line appearance. They are available in a wide range of options supporting caller ID, message waiting and speakerphone.