PARTNER ACS Limitations

[egnalc]

I have a client looking for a new system, they currently have an older Panasonic 1232and they are not happy with it, they are moving to an Avaya system. I was looking at the Partner ACS. They will have around 30 users and 12 co lines. I ma concerned about expansion, from what I've read the Partner will support 21 lines and 48 extensions. The problem is that all the 5 slots are used up and no place for the VM module. Does the Partner have a Voip expansion capability (for the future).

Thanks in advance

 

[1043]

The best setup you can have assuming you use the Partner Messaging R7 would be 14 lines/33 extensions.But overhead paging uses a line port so it would be 13/33.

If you use a 3rd party voicemail (Duvoice) 14/45 or 17/41 would be your choices.But that voice mail would use some of your extension (usally 4).Also overhead paging would tak a line away.

No VOIP.

 

[aarenot]

I would not advise the Partner ACS for this situation. I do not advise any installation that is over 75% of the systems fully upgraded capacity as installed. If they do outgrow it, they will not get back out of it what they put in on a trade in to upgrade.
I would skip right on past the Magix and go with an IP Office system, the price line is not that much different, and it can expand beyond the original processors capacity if needed. It also has many more capabilities than the partner ACS.

I install both systems, and the partner is great for what it does, this is not what it does.

You do not always get what you pay for, but you never get what you do not pay for.

 

[egnalc]

Thanks for the advice, the issue is that the client doesn't want to spring for the IP Office. I originally proposed that solution. I was looking at the Magix but I will rethink that and look at the IP Office again. Any thoughts about Comdial or Vodavi? Once again, thanks!

 

[aarenot]

Vodavi, I have some experience, not too impressed with the product. Comdial is ok, but I would not put it up there with Avaya products.

Magix is a good solid system, thing is MAC's will cost money in the long run, and the IPO customers admin can be trained to easily learn to do most MAC's themselves, or be done easily remote. The IPO cost is not far from the Partner, and the feature set is much greater. $ for $, go with the IPO for this size system.
Also, what were the objections to the IPO in the first place? Maybe I can help with them. If they have an IT person, show them the manager admin software, the voice mail pro admin software, and how easy it is to do changes, that will help sell most IT guys over a partner.
What type of business? out of office workers? There are so many features the IPO has for application to different scenarios, knowing more about the business would help. DID's would generaly cut reception hours for calls, speed communications, also adding a back door number on a DID for routing non-customer calls to an auto attendant can lift loads on reception staff as well.

You do not always get what you pay for, but you never get what you do not pay for.

 

[egnalc]

The objection to the IPO was the cost because they wanted all the bells and whistles and didnt want to pay for them. I will look to scale back the IPO. We will be doing the install ourselves and the future administration of the system. They need voicemail, paging system for the warehouse, unified messaging, and call accounting software.

 

[aarenot]

OK, the paging system will not cost any more for the IPO than for the partner. Call acounting will be much the same as with the partner with more capabilities. Unified messaging with Voice mail pro and VM to EM copy via email wav attachment is probably all they are looking for. We have the customer provide the VM PC themselves with only the software we specify installed, so they absorb that cost, not part of the bid.
Try considering using analog stations at as many non-desk phones as possible, that can cut the costs some.
Another option is providing anaolog cordless phones for those who work in the warehouse instead of paging. Depending on how many users in the warehouse, and the range needed for wireless analogs it can cost less than paging.

You do not always get what you pay for, but you never get what you do not pay for.