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Is It Possible...Question 2
- Thread starter mkp20
- Start date
A lot of money and expertise!
Before embarking on this, get your network up to spec.
Crap Network = Crap SIP Phones.
Robert Wilensky:
We've all heard that a million monkeys banging on a million typewriters will eventually reproduce the entire works of Shakespeare. Now, thanks to the Internet, we know this is not true.
Depending on what release you have on the Nortel system, you can convert that to SIP too, that might save you money in the long run. Be aware though, SIP can be hacked relatively easily.
The next question is, how do you intend to set up the SIP phones to ensure you still have all the same capabilities you have now if you get rid of the Nortel platform, ie calling extension to extension, and also what are you going to do for voice mail?
You will have to have some sort of system to do this, wether it is in house or outsourced. As Sympology stated, this is an expensive undertaking, so if you think you are going to save money immediately, you really need to do a lot of research!
The next question is, how do you intend to set up the SIP phones to ensure you still have all the same capabilities you have now if you get rid of the Nortel platform, ie calling extension to extension, and also what are you going to do for voice mail?
You will have to have some sort of system to do this, wether it is in house or outsourced. As Sympology stated, this is an expensive undertaking, so if you think you are going to save money immediately, you really need to do a lot of research!
- Thread starter
- #4
That all depends on how strong your network security is. It sits on your network, so that is the limiting factor, as it would be for any other server.
To go IP, you do not have to use SIP by the way. SIP and IP phone systems are 2 different things. generally speaking, the SIP part is replacing your PRI or T-1 circuits, but also has the possibility of data running on it too. The IP phones run off one or more servers and can continue to use your existing PRI/T-1 circuits. This is a good idea if your network is already reaching capacity, or just for (some) diversity.
To go IP, you do not have to use SIP by the way. SIP and IP phone systems are 2 different things. generally speaking, the SIP part is replacing your PRI or T-1 circuits, but also has the possibility of data running on it too. The IP phones run off one or more servers and can continue to use your existing PRI/T-1 circuits. This is a good idea if your network is already reaching capacity, or just for (some) diversity.
- Thread starter
- #6
i weighed that option in but the upper echelon want the entire Nortel PBX system gone. they just want phones. LOL so the closet option i could consider was the SIP based phones. Minimal equipment, soft phones for laptop, soft phones on cell phones. Trust me if it was up to me i would leave what i have in cause why fix something that's not broken. So im just trying to figure out the best option for their needs.
GordonKapesMZ4
Programmer
The cs1000 is a power house system, they are crazy for wanting to get rid of it. Checkout the Emetrotel UCx though....
GordonKapesMZ4
Programmer
The posters above are correct. What the upper people are doing doesn't make sense. You will be going from hundreds of multi features such as find me follow me, call park, page, and simple features such as transfer, conference to a pure sip connection that has less features than your average home telephone line. These guys sound completely out of touch with reality. I don't think they get the clue that in order to run an office
network, you need some sort of Pbx to run it. Cs1000 is a highly capable switch of providing reliability and stability to a communicaton network.
It would be much less expensive to upgrade the cs1000 and give the upper echelon all Unistim i2050 softphones and upgrade everyone else to 11xx Unistim Ip phones. Then to give these "know it alls" their sip connection, use sip trunks connected to the cs1000 instead of expensive PRIs. Providers such as VoIP.ms will interface nicely with sip trunking and they are very affordable.
Whatever you do, don't throw out that cs1000, it's the best most reliable system in the world. You'll have reliability with it, if you go this other suggested route, you'll be stuck with headaches!
network, you need some sort of Pbx to run it. Cs1000 is a highly capable switch of providing reliability and stability to a communicaton network.
It would be much less expensive to upgrade the cs1000 and give the upper echelon all Unistim i2050 softphones and upgrade everyone else to 11xx Unistim Ip phones. Then to give these "know it alls" their sip connection, use sip trunks connected to the cs1000 instead of expensive PRIs. Providers such as VoIP.ms will interface nicely with sip trunking and they are very affordable.
Whatever you do, don't throw out that cs1000, it's the best most reliable system in the world. You'll have reliability with it, if you go this other suggested route, you'll be stuck with headaches!
hairlessupportmonkey
IS-IT--Management
Or migrate to the IP Office, keeping handsets, and familiar features, but putting in a new PBX that will do your SIP trunks, then once in and stable, move them off the old handsets to new ones.
ACSS - SME
General Geek
ACSS - SME
General Geek
- Thread starter
- #10
i swear i cant agree with any of you more. i tried to explain all this to them but they insist on "COST SAVINGS" as their excuse. Im just a low man on the totem pole. but thanks to all for the info and hopefully i can get them to keep the CS1000 and go all ip and get some kind of upgrade so we can do soft phones.
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- #11
GordonKapesMZ4
Programmer
I would gather up as much information about the CS1000 as possible from the internet and show them how much of an ip enabled system it is. This CS1000 is a powerhouse.
If you do want to get rid of the CS1000, The Emetrotel option could work....you can contact them and tell them that you want to be able to use the existing CS1000 handsets on their system. They are currently developing use of CS1000 digital phones on their switch, but if they have someone interested, it may speed up the process. If you have i2000 or other Nortel IP phones, you should be able to migrate those over no problem.
Emetrotel is an IP-PBX that is a fraction of the cost of a CS1000. I am testing one at my home lab, I have 10 phones peppered throughout my place and it allows the use of Softphones (i2050 and SIP softphones), as well as any Nortel 11xx or 12xx or i2000 IP phone. It also has a very easy to use remote client. I've taken my laptop up to Northern Michigan to a remote cabin and I've been able to use the owners wi fi and thusly use my i2050 softphone with no problem at all.
You can also use any SIP client phone on their switch.
If you do want to get rid of the CS1000, The Emetrotel option could work....you can contact them and tell them that you want to be able to use the existing CS1000 handsets on their system. They are currently developing use of CS1000 digital phones on their switch, but if they have someone interested, it may speed up the process. If you have i2000 or other Nortel IP phones, you should be able to migrate those over no problem.
Emetrotel is an IP-PBX that is a fraction of the cost of a CS1000. I am testing one at my home lab, I have 10 phones peppered throughout my place and it allows the use of Softphones (i2050 and SIP softphones), as well as any Nortel 11xx or 12xx or i2000 IP phone. It also has a very easy to use remote client. I've taken my laptop up to Northern Michigan to a remote cabin and I've been able to use the owners wi fi and thusly use my i2050 softphone with no problem at all.
You can also use any SIP client phone on their switch.
- Thread starter
- #12
So, find yourself a hosted PBX vendor and buy their services. You'll need all new phones. Be mindful that soft phones aren't so great in a classic office environment - the simplicity of lifting a handset and dialing is tough to beat. And you'll still need a headset with soft phone - unless every call will be a speakerphone call. I'm curious how the upper echelon would know there is a "cost savings" without having investigated the details. For discussion, budget $15 per user per month for basic service plus the cost of the phone - say $120 each for basic. Assumes that your network is up to the task. Don't even consider this without implementing QoS.
GordonKapesMZ4
Programmer
Your welcome mkp20, and i agree with mforrence....soft phones are not at all that great in an office environment. I work for the Walgreens corporate office and we still have IP desk sets for reliablity and ease of use.
- Thread starter
- #15
not everyone will have a soft phone... mostly the work from home users will. we have a lot of remote users that work from home and some in other countries. So a soft phone will work for them especially if it can be installed on their cell phones.
GordonKapesMZ4
Programmer
What different models of telephone sets do you have on your desks now?
- Thread starter
- #17
GordonKapesMZ4
Programmer
If you want to lose the Nortel PBX, you can convert those 11xx phones to SIP and log them into voip.ms or other SIP providers directly, think of it as centrex for SIP, but then youve lost all control of your physical system....still not as good as upgrading the Nortel CS1000.
Ill write more later....
Ill write more later....
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- #19
hairlessupportmonkey
IS-IT--Management
converting those handsets to SIP would be like putting analogue phones out on the desks.
ACSS - SME
General Geek
ACSS - SME
General Geek
GordonKapesMZ4
Programmer
Hairless, still would be better than being connected to softphones that aren't connected to any real system, as the head honchos seem to be asking for...
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