Getting started in the business

[odorcide]

Maybe some of you can point me in the right direction. The company I work for really doesn't do any phone systems but we put in a CICS at a location and have learned that system from trial and error. I'm wanting to concentrate mainly on business phones systems so I may have to find a new employer but I was wondering if there is any formal training for this field or is it all on the job? Thanks for any advice.

 

[1pzcomm]

There are quite a few avenues for training. Your best bet is to google Norstar training and find something in your region. Hands on is always best at first.....

 

[curlycord]

If you want formal the Global knowledge offers Nortel Certs

https://get.globalknowledge.com/norteltraining/catalog/

 

[odorcide]

Man that Global Knowledge is expensive! What do you vendors look for when hiring someone for phone systems? Is it normal for a tech to really concentrate on one brand or should they branch off?

 

[RikRodgers]

Experience on a particular brand is a plus, but more important, is a good background in telephony. The first thing I ask is the 25pr color code. If they don't know, odds are, when I send them to a site to crossconnect an extension, they won't know which end of the punch tool to use.

As for programming on a particular system, training someone who's experienced on another system is far easier than if they've no experience at all.

In short, I'd suggest first focusing on the wiring basics, and then get yourself a few system installer manuals to get familiar with overall operation.

One thing to emphasize- don't oversell yourself on a resume. I'd rather accept a training wage for a month, than demonstrate my ignorance to my employer.

 

[yorcomm]

need help - vm answers all calls customer wants to change in day time to go to a live person and at nights to got to vm
how do i do this

 

[DigitelD]

Start a new thread. Not good to hijack another thread. Odorcide, there are books that you can get on basic telephony. There are many things on the web that you can access that will help you.

SHK Certified (School of Hard Knocks)
NCSS

 

[RikRodgers]

yorcomm- I agree, you'd be better off starting a new thread, but in short, you need to program the vm to not answer the lines, and then on the phone system, set up a night mode service group to include the vm dn.

 

[vegasnortel]

my two cents.....whatever you pursue in telecom, learn and master one brand and do it best! Too many trying to be experts at multiple systems...nortel, avaya, toshiba, etc... Become an expert at one and you will find success will follow!

 

[DigitelD]

I agree. When I started in the business we handled everything from Tie, Tel-Plus, Seimons, Toshiba, Nortel, Iwatsu and many others. I could work on them all but a master of none. Now all our branch works on is Nortel. I am still no master but I am trying. I love working with one product.

SHK Certified (School of Hard Knocks)
NCSS