Cisco/Avaya/IPC Installation

[Chibi1]

I have a client with 2 locations, 1 in NYC another across the river in Jersey City, NJ.

The HQ in NYC has an Avaya G3si and approximately 100 IPC turrets, served with Line-Side T-1 exts for dialtones from the Avaya PBX.

JC has another Avaya G3R with 50 IPC turrets (local dial tone only, no PLs).

LD calls from JC are routed through the NYC PBX.

Client will be relocating NYC to a new NYC ofc and want to evaluate the following solutions:

1. Upgrade existing Avaya PBX at existing HQ to an S8730 VoIP enabled PBX.

2. Install redundant SES Avaya as a 'satellite" off the newly upgraded HQ Avaya PBX

3. Continue to support existing IPC turrets as well as existing Avaya digital phones at NYC HQ.

Eventually, when all HQ Avaya users and turret users are relocated (in phases - that's why the existing Avaya must be upgraded to VoIP, supporting relocated users on IP phones at the new location), the new location can be upgraded from an SES "satellite" to the main location.

Avaya at existing HQ will be decommissioned and any re-usable components will be installed at Jersey City location.

Net result - New NYC location is main S8730, supporting 350 IP phones as well as up to 200 IPC turrets

Existing Jersey City location will become SES off the S8730 in NYC.

One option being investigated is:

Installing a Cisco CUCM at new NYC location

For approximately 6 months, new Cisco must derive inbound dial tones from the existing Avaya at HQ (probably needs upgrade to S8730 nonetheless)

After decommissioning S8730 at Old HQ location in NYC, Cisco must continue to provide outbound LD calls from JC through the Cisco.Also providing dial tones to IPC turrets

Net result - Cisco at new NYC HQ - Avaya S8730 at Jersey City.

It seems like the combined Cisco/Avaya solution would be at best cumbersome and complicated, difficult to administer.

At worst, client would lose benefits of less expensive licensing with Avaya and would have multi-vendor environment to deal with in the future.

IPC turrets are planned to interface with either Cisco or Avaya via SIP trunking.

Has anyone successfully and cost-effectively installed such a Cisco/Avaya/IPC combination?

Any thoughts on the pros/cons of ALL Avaya vs this combo?

I am trying to salvage and re-use/upgrade whatever Avaya equipment already in place rather than completely removing Avaya from the equation.

 

[OP27]

You may also wish to evaluate some of the emerging trading turret technologies e.g. IP Trade, that leverage the CUCM or Avaya directly though SIP, instead of having two separate platforms. Once you have the Communications manager in place and SES capability you can role out turrets when and where they are required. It greatly reduces back end hardware requirements and also chops down operational costs. Hope this helps

 

[rellimm]

IPC is certified for SIP trunking for both Cisco and Avaya with numerous installations especially in Europe. Call IPC at 212.709.1013.

 

[gebski]

I would stick with Avaya. The client already has an understanding of the equipment, features and so on. No learning curve needed if you stick with Avaya.