Partner II vs. Norstar 824

[rjbied]

Looking for advice. What are the pros & cons of these systems? Currently have a Partner II R4.1, but chassis maxed out. I know I can add expansion chassis, but also located an 824 with Startalk and 20 handsets for a good price. Any advice is appreciated.

 

[Dexman]

The Partner II is, for the most part, obsolete.

Rather than expanding it, I would upgrade the hardware. First carrier to the new design, the processor to the Avaya Partner ACS R8 and the expansion cards to the final releases (Avaya discontinued the Partner platform earlier this year).

You'll be able to add a Partner Voice Messaging auto attendant/voicemail which was not possible with the PII.

We have a Nortel 824 (no voicemail) and it hasn't had any problems in all the years we've . Now Nortel's commercial/business telephone division was bought out by Avaya not too long ago so I don't know if the 824 is still in production.

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[Dexman]

I need to refine my prior comments. Upgrade the carrier, processor & expansion modules to the respective final releases.

Then, we have an 824 here @ work and haven't had any problems with it in all of the years that we've owned it.

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[cvrbob]

your Partner 11 R4.1 is already at 8 lines 24 stations so were would you gain from an Nortel 824

 

[rjbied]

my current chassis is maxed out at 12 extensions. I would need to add expansion chassis, processor expansion board, an another 206 card and purchase some handsets.

 

[PHXAZ]

if you are talking about the old Norstar 8x24 they are obsolete they where discontinued more than 10 year ago.if you are talking about a CICS than the will give you also 8x24 you will use 1 port for the voicemail if 2 channel or 2 if 4 channel, the CICS comes configured as an 8x16 in order to activate the additional 8 stations you'll need to buy an NTBB04 expansion card that fits in the smaller slot in the front of the CICS that can cost you on avarege $450.00
all in all the CICS is very reliable i have worked on both and prefer teh CICS myself but it boils down to cost usually at the end.

 

[cvrbob]

you say your partner 11 is maxed out with 12 extensions, what are the modules to the right of the processor ? or how is modules from left to right

Or unless you have a Partner 11 Centrex, which in that case, your Partner is set for 12 lines & 12 Stations in the first carrier

 

[rjbied]

Config as follows-

206EC
206EC
processor module
400EC
Partner Mail VS

 

[Dexman]

By upgrading to the Partner ACS R8 (along with the new-style carrier), you could use the following...

308EC
(012E or 308 EC)
R8 Processor module
Blank
Blank

This configuration would support either 8 lines x 29 extensions or 11 lines x 25 extensions (depending on which module is inserted into slot #2).

Depending on your needs, the voicemail could be replaced by either a Partner Voice Messaging or Avaya Partner Messaging. Only a patched Partner Mail VS R5 will work with the R7 & R8 processors without any issues.

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[cvrbob]

if you were my customer, I would replace your processor with at least a ACS processor R6.0 witch will give 3 lines And 8 more stations,
how many lines are now in use, if your only using 6 lines replace the 400 with another 206
just some of the ways to keep cost down

 

[Westi]

Partner ACS and MailVS have a problem with the DND, it won't recognize the DND signaling and be acting weird. MailVS R5 can be upgraded with a patch all older ones are no good.
Having that said do you want to replace an old clunker with another old clunker?
Both systems are end of life pretty much and all Nortel products are going to be vanished within the next 5 years and replaced by Avaya products. Not necessarily a good move because Nortel has solid Key systems that are plugged in and running for years if nothing happens like lightning strike or bad power.
You should ask yourself if you want to replace the system again within the next 2-3 years or hang on to it until it dies, for the latter one buy another system for spares and also some more phones as there will be a time when you can not get them any more.
In 10 years your system will be good for the museum because the whole industry changes and 5 years is at the moment the expected life span of a system so plan well ahead.

Joe W.

FHandw, ACSS

Google it you damn kids

 

[SYQUEST]

That does not hold true with the secondary market! The NT stuff will be around for a long time past 5 years along with parts. In the case of the Partner II, you would be better upgrading to a current ACS, but those will be around for awhile also. If those systems provide the features and service you need, why get something else?

....JIM....

 

[Dexman]

I agree with Jim. If the OP's current & projected telecom needs are satisfied with either the Norstar 824 or Avaya Partner ACS, then there shouldn't be any problems going with either system.

There will be lots of hardware on the secondary market for years to come. As is the case with the Merlin Legend & Magix, the price of perfectly fine used hardware is much less than brand new stock. Replacement hard drives (both standard & flash) will greatly extend the lives of system voicemails.

Now, if projected needs do dictate a switch to IP-based communications, then Avaya's IP Office deserves consideration.

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