new Voicemail system

[pbxNewb]

Hi,

Our nortel 62c/CS1000 uses an old out of warranty/support Octel voicemail system. This system is located at a remote site via T1 and attached to another 61c/cs1000 on that end. There are 5 facilities in our region that use this one Octel system for voicemail and are connected "on-net" via T1's. We had a hardware failure at this site last week causing all access to voicemail (and numbers with voice menus since they come off the octel box as well) to go down unexpetedly. This was a wake up call for administration that the machine needs to be replaced with something newer that can be serviced by our provider, Qwest.

We have been pushing for its replacement for some time now but the cost of replacing it always stopped any proposals but they are now considering replacement. I'm getting some quotes for CallPilot, but are there any other decent alternatives out there for voicemail that will integrate with the 61c? I saw Microsoft had partnered with Nortel with their Communications server, but can't determine if it has voicemail built into it or exchange and how that would talk to our PBX. Has anyone had experience going this microsoft route, or use something other than callpilot/octel for their voicemail? Any idea on the cost of hardware and or licensing for a system with 1500 mailboxes? Let me know, thanks!

 

[GHTROUT]

I think you will always kick yourself for not going CallPilup, even though I'm not a big fan of it. Whatever choice you make will "work" with the Nortel, but finding a company that will actually be in business and support it a year from now might make the Nortel solution the right one.




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[tnphoneman]

I agree.... I have been working with CallPilot since 1.05 and at that time it sucked big time. Matter of fact the second one I put in had to be upgraded to 1.06 before the cut because of the version of Lotus notes the customer was using.

Since then I have become very familiar with the CallPilot and I don't have any out of the norm problems with it. 5.0 is leaps and bounds better than 4.0 as far as stability.

I think you are talking about the SCS and the integration for that is SIP trunking. Never seen it yet but I am sure I will soon.

For my money I would stick with a Nortel product as the integration is better and supported by Nortel.

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[trvlr1]

I know of one person that had major issues with 81C to Microsoft vmail that the vendor could not correct, they took it out and installed Call Pilot after a month of trying. Could have been that particular vendor did not have enough knowledge of the product, but still not a very good choice if ongoing mainenance through a vendor is going to be an issue.

 

[tnjwinters]

I have 5 PBX's with one CallPilot 1005r off a CS1000M M/G running 5.0. Qwest is my provider in Southern Colorado. I wouldn't consider using anything other than Nortel equipment for my PBX's, CallPilot for my Voice Mail or Qwest for a provider.

 

[OCTELSUPPORT]

Hi I was with Octel since the 80s and am certified on Nortel pbxs as well. Please let me know if there is any way I can assist you with your upgrade or existing integration to the Octel. My website is

http://www.jaxcomm.com.

Thanks!

 

[Klowndog]

I had a 81c that had a Lyrix VM attached to it. they offer phenominal support and tech documentation. They were able to provide us with a dedicated tech for remote troubleshooting that also provided training. Had all the bells and whistles (remote notification to mobile users, email notification, etc)and didnt have a problem with the very strict guidlines our network group had in place for ALL machines that were on the network, regardless of the purpose said machine served.
Then again, if Nortel is not out of the question as far as budget is concerned, why not stick with it for the sake of possible support issues? lot easier to have one group manage the whole thing instead of watching two groups play the blame game when something doesnt work\intergrate(its not our equipment causing the trouble, its your equipment!) properly.

 

[lewisp007]

I also new of a customer that has an 81c with another VM system. The system after failing many time decided to go with CP and right now they are happy. One of the motivating factor in choosing a system is support. Nortel has a very good support system in place. On top of this your CP will integrate well with your existing platfom.

"The life that is living should be examine.

 

[janaya]

Nortel has a very good support system in place"....

I had to chuckle at that one. The best a $10,000 open PO can provide.