Considering NBX V3000, but unsure about VoIP

[disintegration]

Hi, we currently have an old Toshiba Strata phone system and we're in the market for a new phone system--one that will initially support 35 users, but can grow easily to 200+. I love the feature set of the v3000, but I'm hesitant to dive into VoIP, mostly just because it's not precedented yet. It's hard to make a case for buying VoIP for the sake of getting a foot in the door of the future, so to speak.

Other systems we're considering are Vertical TeleVantage, Inter-tel Axxess and Nortel BCM.

Does anybody have any comments about these systems?

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Space travel's in my blood.

 

[donporter]

v3000 is not VOIP. It is layer 2 100% until it needs to go layer 3. We bought them knowing that we are not using them for VOIP today but we were ready for the future. Only the future of 3Com is keeping us happy with the systems.

Look at the early stages of the Inter-Tel 5000. Inter-Tel has made us happy for years and I wouldn't be surpized if this does turn into "top of the line" in a few years.

 

[disintegration]

We've looked into the Inter-tel Axxess system, which is a hybrid, of course... and we like it. We're just not sure which direction to go exactly.

Why exactly did you choose to go with the 3com system over a digital pbx / hybrid solution? Was it purely based on it being a forward-looking decision?

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Space travel's in my blood.

 

[donporter]

Yes
Just a forward thought that Inter-Tel will not keep up. Inter-Tel my be a year or two behind new products but it comes with the guaranty for up time and all features.
I have seen 3Com come out on the market with a system with only the ability for 2 hunt groups. How can you sell it with only two hunt groups?

 

[disintegration]

Yes, Inter-tel seems complete in terms of feature-set and support. I have confidence in them and their solution, albeit a little pricey.

So, wait, are you criticizing the 3com system for only having 2 hunt groups? I thought it supported up to 48?

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Space travel's in my blood.

 

[donporter]

Early ver. but why put it on the market with two.
This was fixed few years ago. Criticizing 3Com for forcing products on the market to keep in the game.

 

[disintegration]

How do you think this 3com compares to the cisco call manager system?

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Space travel's in my blood.

 

[donporter]

I don't know the cisco product that well. A lot of people went with the cisco product and most are happy about it.

 

[aragon]

V3000 has an awesome feature set at a great price point.
It is very scalable and easy to manage via web browswer.
It requires little software be installed on the enterprise instead relying on web based clients and turnkey reporting solutions.
In fact NBX is a hybrid when used with Legacy Link blades.
These blades allow you to use Nortel TDM phones on a 3Com platform.
The OS is VxWorx and this makes the OS very stable and very secure.
Compared to both Nortel BCM and Cisco which both run on Windows platforms.
Word has it that NBX will convert to SIP sometime this year to integrate with the 3Com VCX platform. This will make NBX a leading edge platform. I expect this will simplify remote telephone applications, wireless, and do away with the NBX network multicast requirements.
In my humble opinion the NBX is far more reliable than Nortel BCM.
NBX currently lacks a decent in house wireless solution. But if partnered with analog ports and SpectraLink NetLink offers a great wireless solution for large warehouses etc...
Other vendors could also be blamed for including features merely to introduce into market place.
Partnered with Bright Arrow software NBX kicks butt.

 

[askthetech]

We are a former Sprint / Mitel VoIP dealer. A customer requested that I look into selling the 3COM NBX as he was Cisco certified and wanted to take care of the system himself. He was giving me $20K for everything and getting about 30 sets. So, he too considered the ones that you did, but he LOVES HIS 3COM NBX V3000. Reference if you need it. Better than the others, and easiest to program too!