Option 11C and Mer Mail - discontinued or what 2

[Case14]

I am a Norstar / BCM systems guy and I have a buddy who is an IT manager of a medium sized business that have an Option 11C (release 22 or 23 B), and a 4 port Meridian Mail system. He said they never upgraded software or hardware.

What is the story, I recall Nortel were going to make Mer Mail end of life and that they were not going to support Meridain PBX older than ver 25

Any info would be appreciated, I would like to see him fork lift. They were over sold in the first place (did have SL1)

Cheers~

 

[tnphoneman]

The PBX is EOL and is no longer supported on that release. Meridian Mail is also an old release that is EOL also. Nortel will no longer support any of these.

The only Meridian Mail that is supported on release 5.0 (which is the current PBX release) is the Enhanced Card Option of which I don't think your friend has. This meridian mail consists of only 1 card with daughterboards.

If he is on release 22 an upgrade would entail a rekeying of the data or an inhouse conversion by Nortel. If they are on release 23 a direct upgrade to 5.0 is supported. Meridian Mail would also have to be upgraded to CallPilot.

 

[acewarlock]

Both are EOF and Nortel doesn't support them any more.

Whats wrong with his system that you want to replace it?




This is a Signature and not part of the answer, it appears on every reply.

This is an Analogy so don't take it personally as some have.

Why change the engine if all you need is to change the spark plugs.

 

[Johnthephoneguy]

an 11 with MM is a very solid system, and if they aren't going to go to VOIP no reason to upgrade. You can always find a vendor to support the product even after EOL.

JohnThePhoneGuy

"If I can't fix it, it's not broke!

 

[Case14]

Thanks very helpfull, I just was'nt sure about EOL. I would not want to be without manufacture support and it would be a substancial investment to upgrade correct? Licensing, hardware and installation.

 

[tnphoneman]

Not as bad as you might think. The thing about upgrades is you either keep up and take advantage of the special offerings or pay up. Those are your only 2 choices. Personally I would never get more than 2 releases behind and I would not be the first one to get an upgrade...wait 3 to 6 months until the patches have been written.

 

[acewarlock]

There are 3rd party Vendor's out there that still support the old Nortel SL1's and QSU61 phones and they where some of the best systems Nortel ever made. My personal feelings are if the system works and you can get service at a fair price and there are no pressing features that you need, why upgrade?




This is a Signature and not part of the answer, it appears on every reply.

This is an Analogy so don't take it personally as some have.

Why change the engine if all you need is to change the spark plugs.

 

[Case14]

Totaly agree on you're upgrade policy.
When you say not as bad as you would think, are there special offerings available now?

Thanks to other replies as well.
To answer why replace: No local service and need for advanced applications such as UM and VoIP- and it is not supported.

 

[tnphoneman]

too late for that release but you can always get a quote. That does not cost anything.