Legend or Magix 1

[dudeEWin]

Why is Merlin Magix better than a Legend system?

 

[jeepguy267]

A handful of features
Any future features that may become available
Availability of parts going forward
Punch down vs Modular connectivity
Support
Choice of telephone sets
*I'm sure there is more here that someone else may add.

My opinion is that Legend is a good system. If I blow a processor or am adding a new system I like to go with what ever is available today (magix). If I have a system that works, but want any of the stuff above I might upgrade to magix. If I have a Legend and don't care about the other stuff, then no need to upgrade. What release of legend also plays a part.

If you are a PC guy I might ask the question is W2k or XP better?

 

[GoKings]

I wouldn't say it is better or worse than a Legend. This question is like asking what is better R10 Definity or R1 MultiVantage. The Magix is simply an upgrade of the Legend. There are certain features, like Auto Daylight Savings updates, all ring in calling groups, DS1 boards with integrated CSU/DSU's and routers that make it advantageous in certain scenarios. There are also features of the Legend (that can be carried forward to a Magix) that are of better quality. I think that the MLX phone is a better phone than the TDL, despite being uglier than the TDL. It has two talk paths and allows ISDN integration in to the ckt pack as well as provides a t/r port to the bottom of the set. As jeepguy267 points out, the TDL sets are connected via cross connect, instead of modular. I am not sure if this is an advantage in the customer's case, just for a technician saving time installing, but it is a distinct difference as well. I think that you just need to roll with the recent equipment for the reasons that jeepguy267 outlined above: support and equipment replacement ismuch easier on the more recent versions.

 

[merlinman]

Two features that STAND OUT are:

CALL SCREENING

-and-

ALL RING CALLING GROUPS

The LAST release of LEGEND (nor any other releases) does not have these features. However, the LATEST RELEASE OF MAGIX (3.0) DOES HAVE THEM.

Call Screening:

Users can monitor (Listen to) calls that go into their voice mail and either retrieve them (take them back from VM), or let them go on into their mail box.


All Ring Calling Groups:

Rather than have calls to a CALLING GROUP go to "the next available agent", they can ring on ALL AGENTS PHONES that are available.

It's a funny thing, prior to the LEGEND/MAGIX the MERLIN 2 had that capability.

When the LEGEND came out, they took that feature away.

Now, with the R3 MAGIX, virtually 10 releases away from the old Merlin 2, they bring it back.

Taking it away was a GIANT step backwards.

But alas, they gave it back.

 

[tonysprout]

Avaya will no longer support Legend. I've gotten several customers because of this.

 

[jinxs]

Tonysprout, when did this happen? Last time I called AVAYA I was able to get tech support to talk to me about a 1030/3070. Of course I had to pay. Does this mean they are doing the same thing they did with the 25's? Swap out all the Maintance customers with the Magix?

 

[tonysprout]

Jinx, I've picked up a maint agreement on a legend, and upgraded two others because the customers told me that legends were no longer to be supported by Avaya.

 

[jlshelton]

The Magix cabinet is smaller; could help in a tight phone closet. In theory, the metal cabinet could help with self-cooling a little better. In practice, cards are a little harder to insert/remove than the Legend packaging.

The punch-down-ability of the TDL cards is obviously a matter of choice, but using that Amphenol connector makes it easier for punch-down, and you can just insert a "harmonica" if you like plugging in patch cables. It's harder to go the other way when the station card only has jacks. (Octopus cables work, but are messier.)

I've heard of fewer reliability problems with the 44xx TDL series of phones than the MLX phones.

Clearly, Magix will get another software release, and perhaps another new circuit board or two. As is obvious, no more Legend features. But as long as Avaya is advertising the upgrade path, we can expect at least support for migration of MLX phones and some circuit cards; this has been a plus in the Merlin series now for almost 20 years - being able to bring phones along to the next generation.

For low-budget operations, older Legend parts and phones will stay a lot cheaper. eBay prices for MLX phones have dropped considerably in the last year. You can get MLX phones for under $25 that are in good working order. Sometimes the phones are so cheap I have to wonder how many are just stolen - what companies are really dumping perfectly good MLX sets?

A few of us nostalgia nuts still love the look of the old classic Merlin phones, which only work on Legend and earlier. They are still readily available, though I've noticed fewer dealers refurbing them. Perhaps only 4 more years of practical life.

 

[socalbulldog]

hi, this posting is mainly addressed to "merlinman" regarding a post done last oct 2003, but as I am a new member here, I couldn't see where I could make a direct connect......so here goes.....I need to provide a customer a list of reasons, station or system features, etc why they should upgrade from their existing legend to a new magix system. I have been pouring thru both systems' various manuals for 2 hours trying to develop a simple list. merlinman mentioned call screening and all ring calling groups as two features that the magix has over the legend, are there a few more ? any system capacity or functional differences ? new style phones probably won't impress them much. we are trying to convince the customer that buying a new magix now, makes more cost sense than getting a maintenance contract on an older system. Thanks much

 

[merlinman]

socalbulldog,

Well, everything else in this post pretty much sums it up.

How is your customer using their system now?

What growth are they expecting?

How 'bout OFF PREM Offices from the MAIN system?

Myself (and a few of my clients) LOVE Call Screening AND ANOTHER BIGGIE! (that no one has mentioned) is HOT DIAL PAD !

OH BABY, is this ever cool !

Imagine this, You START DIALING, you do not turn on the SPEAKER PHONE, YOU DO NOT PICK UP YOUR HAND SET, YOU JUST
S T A R T D I A L I N G ! AND in a second, YOUR SPEAKER COMES ON and the CALL IS COMPLETED.

ALL CUSTOMERS I have implemented this with LOVE IT !

Merlin Messaging - - MULTIPLE GREETINGS - And other features.

Also, if they go ALL THE WAY to R4 Magix, there is the RECORD-A-CALL FEATURE as well as Call Screening.

Let me know if you need any other info !