Installing phone systems? 2

[exverizon]

I've been a self-employed cabling guy for about a decade and have never gotten into installing phone systems like Avaya or NEC or Nortel. A buddy of mine has been doing so (Panasonic) and makes multiple times what I do. I'd like to make that change this year. What's the best avenue for getting certified to sell some basic (read "smaller") business systems? I don't know if I care to jet off across the country to spend a few thousand bucks for an 8 week training course, though. Is there a less intensive approach that any vendors offer?

 

[gbaughma]

IMHO, go to the training center for NEC in Dallas.

Certify in the SV8100 systems.

It's a great class, great instructors, very hands-on, and well worth the trip/time/investment.



Just my 2¢

"What the captain doesn't realize is that we've secretly replaced his Dilithium Crystals with new Folger's Crystals."

--Greg

http://parallel.tzo.com

 

[kmcferrin]

I don't know if there's a way to get demographic data on this, but you definitely want to learn a phone system that is commonly deployed in your geographic area. I don't see much NEC in my area, but there are tons of Nortel, Avaya, and Cisco systems deployed (at least in the larger companies). The last company that I worked for that where I had input into the phone system we started with a Nortel, and then about 5 years later we were looking into moving to Cisco.

________________________________________
CompTIA A+, Network+, Server+, Security+
MCTS:Windows 7
MCSE:Security 2003
MCITP:Server Administrator
MCITP:Enterprise Administrator
MCITP:Virtualization Administrator 2008 R2
Certified Quest vWorkspace Administrator

 

[kwbMitel]

You might try posting your question in the following forum:
forum461

**********************************************
What's most important is that you realise ... There is no spoon.

 

[gbaughma]

You might try posting your question in the following forum:
forum461: -General Telephony discussion

You might as well ask "Apple or IBM" while you're at it.



Just my 2¢

"What the captain doesn't realize is that we've secretly replaced his Dilithium Crystals with new Folger's Crystals."

--Greg

http://parallel.tzo.com

 

[kwbMitel]

gbaughma - I was thinking that the General Telephony Forum might have a few more people that might have been in the posters position. A more targeted audience so to speak.

I happen to be a phone man myself. (25 years worth) I self-learned most of the systems over that time. That being said, I think the customer expectations and system complexity today would make it hard for an individual to break into the market all on their own. Most systems are propietary and learning one does not help with another. All I can say is good luck.

**********************************************
What's most important is that you realise ... There is no spoon.

 

[mattKnight]

>Most systems are propietary and learning one does not help with another. All I can say is good luck.

I agree, but a good understanding to telecoms is *always* required e.g. line types, signalling etc

Take Care

Matt
I have always wished that my computer would be as easy to use as my telephone.
My wish has come true. I no longer know how to use my telephone.

 

[gbaughma]

I worked for a phone company for about a year and a half. I certified on several NEC systems. I made the "Apple vs IBM" comment pretty much as a joke; people trained on NEC systems will favor NEC systems. People trained on Nortel will favor Nortel.

The way that I "broke in" to the Telephony market was by getting a job with a company that did business system installs. Since so many systems are computerized, especially the voicemail systems, my computer background made it worth them training me to do phone installs.

It was fun. Although I hate pulling wire. With a passion.



Just my 2¢

"What the captain doesn't realize is that we've secretly replaced his Dilithium Crystals with new Folger's Crystals."

--Greg

http://parallel.tzo.com

 

[tetote]

exverizon you might try contacting distributors or resellers of phone systems like Cisco, AVAYA (Nortel) or Panasonic close to your area, they might have courses or can tell you about them.

 

[XoverIP]

hey exvz,


Ref1: Digi Phone Sys
The traditional, old-school PBX (eg; ATT System-25, N.N.Meridian, etc)

Ref2: IPT:
Csco Call Manager, Avaya S8xx, etc.


The digi system is probably going be easier to get your arms around. As X-Vz, u know the difference between a 66-block and a RJ21/f cable, i'm sure. It might be a good start, as well, in terms of getting familiar with; auto attendants, hunt groups, call vectors, etc.

Learning IPT systems is a pretty logical progression as it builds on top of what u learn in programming digi systems. I have seen alot of committed ''phone guys'' morph into top-notch "phone/data guys". Be advised, there's much to know, in doing it the right way...you need to understand; udp, tcp, codecs, compression, mos, tftp, dhcp, segments, networks, servers, etc. Moving Fwd:, IPT is where it's at, as u know.


If u want to learn digi systems, generally speaking, I'd ask y u want to learn what's being phased out?

If u want to learn ipt systems, I can certainly see how it makes sense to get-down the basics, on a digi-system, then progress to ipt.


Avaya IP Office is for small office and Cisco CallManager Express works well there too. In the digi world, there's the Merlin Ledgend and other options like NEC, Panasonic. Not to sound harsh, but, if by chance u're not willing learn data, u probably can't fully capitalize on the resource investment made in learning a key system. And, if that's the case, perhaps grow the business in a different direction.

If u're ready to get into the data world, or not sure if u want to, a very good start might be the official CCNA book from Cisco Press. Start reading and see if it's something that fit's u.

Br,
XoverIP

Ixix CC, SWE, LCNCS-C, LNCS-OF ,3CSA, 3CNTS, 3CSE, NNCAS, NNCDS, ENA, ENA-PS, ENS, CCNA, CCDA, CCNP, CCDP

 

[gbaughma]

XoverIP:

How can someone with so many letters after his name use so much "text speak" on a professional forum?



Just my 2¢

"What the captain doesn't realize is that we've secretly replaced his Dilithium Crystals with new Folger's Crystals."

--Greg

http://parallel.tzo.com