Norstar grow to 400 phones 2

[tomstr]

Hello.

Can a Norstar system grow to 400 phones/ports?

We are looking to replace our old PBX and looking for a system that has:

1.) Growth to 400 lines/phones
2.) Unified messaging (use to check messages with Outlook)
3.) Caller ID (internal and external)
4.) DID functionality

Is the Nortar a good solution for us, or are there better products that may be available.

Cost is the biggest factor (budget limited to $100K for 250 users)

Is the BCM more approrpiate?

Appreciate any advice.

 

[ptstechnician]

No, a maxed-out XC system can only go to 224 phones. I would recommed the BCM or another PBX.

 

[Johnthephoneguy]

An option 11 would be much better for this

 

[hawks]

CS1000M I think is what's it's called now.

 

[biv343]

BCM won't get near 400 phones. Won't get near 250 phones unless going with a really ugly IP expansion solution.

CS1000 PBX would be the Nortel solution for this. But, 100K for 250 phones and voicemail is going to be about impossible to touch.

 

[curlycord]

The BCM will soon do.

 

[senk1s]

curlycord is that a prophecy or in the pipeline?
if NT is working on it ...that'll be great

 

[EddieDuece]

Go with a Option 11. Why waste your time with a small system? Get something scalable, so you aren't pushing a litte key system to the limit.

 

[tomstr]

Many thanks to all.

This is great info and is greatly appreciated.

What has been proposed is a linked system of two Key systems to accomodate capacity (cost of the PBX systems was much greater and the cost has been the #1 factor in this situation)

What was described to us was that these setups are similar to what is done in locations where may have two locations linked via a T1 (a unit in each location).

The vendor has indicated that this setup should work just as well as all will be housed together, so if it can be setup to work seemlessly together in two locations, why not all together as a single system.

I had recently seen a similar issue discussed here and makes me very concerned about the direction we are taking.

 

[Johnthephoneguy]

I have had mutliple key systems at sites, but it is not nearly as user friendly nor expandable. Think of it like the engine of a car, you can put 2 four cylinder engines in it and yes it will go, but why not put 1 eight cylinder in and run better!

 

[gecko202002]

Do not go the linked systems route - it gets very messy from a programming standpoint as well as a user standpoint. If you are only using 1 voice mail system, then 1 system will be fully integrated and feature rich, while the 2nd system is not. In theory it is great, the reality leaves something to be desired, the customer is not happy, and the original budget issue is forgotten, but what is remembered is a band-aid solution.

 

[biv343]

curlycord - I heard that rumor a year or so back, I think it was supposed to be the BCM 260 or something like that, but thought the concept had been scrapped. Wonder if it is still being discussed?

 

[hawks]

I would only link if that was the only way to go.
IE: Seperate locations or if I already had 1 system maxed out and needed more ports. Even then I would take a hard look at trying to upgrade to a PBX.

 

[3Sixty]

The new BCM is going to be the BCM 300 but I do not think it is getting any bigger but the Nortel Rep had said to much when he mentioned BCM 300. But I can not be sure because he seemed to clam up after mentioning BCM 300.

Marshall

http://www.nortelsupport.net

 

[mroberts]

I thought the newest BCM was going to be the 400 with 4.0 software?

MRoberts

http://www.a1teletronics.com

 

[DigitelD]

You are correct, but Nortel has been talking about the BCM300 which will have more capacity. This is only talk though. I have no idea when this is to be implemented.