How would you rate NEC in terms of ease of use, or user-friendliness?

[cb08]

I'm trying to choose between two jobs.

One company is a full cisco shop - Cisco call manager and all the peripherals. But the job itself isn't as attractive as the second choice.

The second company has an NEC setup, I believe they have an SV8300, maybe some branch PBXs, and a CallCenterWorx setup with ACD. This is a better job overall, just not sure about the phone system.

I've looked around the web for NEC training material and I'm not too impressed. I have about a decade of experience with Cisco and Nortel setups and I'm used to a ton of available training resources.

How easy is it to get up to speed on an NEC system, do you just start reading the various pdfs, or will a company tend to have training manuals that came with the system? Any comments on how it was learning the ins and outs, compared to another brand of system?

Thanks very much,

 

[Billz66]

I think you will find that if you have limited knowledge , the nec will be a steep learning curve.
There are manuals available , Programming manual is the best for a beginner.( it shows required programming for Feature)

http://www.mediafire.com/file/jrwwts4oqqq5woy/SV8300Programming.pdf

The system is primarily programmed via 'MOC' mode which involves entering hexidecimal data ( numbers 0-9 letters A-F).
It can be programmed via software on a PC across the Lan or from a Digital ( or IP ) Terminal.
As someone that has been doing this through various NEC systems I dont find it a problem (Once you get the hang of it it becomes Quite easy).
If you have access to the programming software ( PCPRO for SV8300) then you can create csv style scripts to do most of your programming changes.

The NEC product is robust and designed foremost as a voice solution.

My experience with Cisco is limited , but I have found it lacking in voice functionality and difficult to maintain unless you have had extensive Cisco training.

Most NEC dealerships can provide User administration training courses( I am from Australia and NEC Australia can provide training for Customers ).
I assume that a similar thing occurs in the US.

 

[belevedere]

An NEC vendor can sponsor you on the NEC training site. You still need to be employed by an authorized vendor to get NTAC support, but you can still get access to the training site.

 

[OzzieGeorge]

There is also a manual called the feature programming manual which is a lead you by the nose guide to programming. The trick then is to learn what is the name for what you want!

 

[madwok]

It is pretty much depends on your long term career outlook , IMHO.

If you are looking at lots of available trainings with good potential monetary reward, Cisco might be better in the long run.However, the certification path thru CCENT, CCNA, CCNA voice is pretty long . You also have to learn on the router, switch etc in order to get set up all the gateways & peripherals in CM . IT is a VOIP from the get go with GUI and a mix of IOS based of programming . Its weak point is the integration with analog end points . Getting Paging / Fax / Door opener to work via IP is quite challenging .

NEC SV8xxx is a good hybrid system but not very widely popular in the US . Find good NEC tech is hard, at least in South FL.Often you have to learn a different way of progamming for NEC line of products . It ACD , call center is pretty good for price / performance . However, in Unify Messaging integration, it is a step behind Cisco and Avaya. If you have no interest in dealing with network and would prefer to stick with more traditional PBX path , NEC would be better .

Cheers !

 

[cb08]

I appreciate the replies, very good info.

I'm still 50/50 on these two jobs, the company with the NEC systems is a telecom nightmare, but is a better company/job overall. I think at this point I'll just go with whoever I hear back from first.

You may see lots of me in the future, or may never hear from me again.

 

[OzzieGeorge]

It's ok, if we hear back we will know how good a decision you made!