Question for Vendors about upgrading

[Scotta98]

Hi Guys,

I hope someone can help me out here. I need to add a couple of extra lines and now I don't know which way to go. Here is my current equipment and my dilema.

Partner ACS R6 Controller with a Remote Access Card
Partner ACS 308EC
Partner Mesaging 1.0 with a 2 Port VM Card
Partner 5 Slot Carrier.

I was going to get another 308EC expansion module but then I had a thought. Would I be better off trading in my R6 controller for an R7. I have enough extensions at the moment but it's lines I have a problem with. Then I started to think that I would really love the unified messaging but I only have a Partner Mesaging R10. Would it be worth me upgrading to a Partner messaging R6 or R7? could I trade this lot in?

Finally, if I did go with a Controller R7, could I restore all the programming from the R6 that I currently use. Exensions, ring tones, etc?

Any suggestions or opinions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[skip555]

no big advantage of a 7 over a 6 that I can see I wouldnt upgrade just to upgrade .(unless your looking for a feature only availible on 7)

if you do decide to upgrade the programming will have to be redone cant save the 6 and download to 7 .

as to the messaging upgrade , might be worth it if you want unified messaging.

as to trade in value your best bet is to put it up on ebay it ought to get you a bit above wholesale .

if yo just need lines why not add a 400 module , it will add 4 lines (not availble new but pleanty of refurbs available )

 

[1043]

Although I haven't done it, the Partner Messaging can be upgraded to an R7

http://support.avaya.com/japple/css...eID=161730&temp.bucketID=160259&PAGE=Document

As far as replacing the ACS 6 with an ACS 7 your crazy. We have to test every ACS R7 that goes out the door.They are still having more problems than they should.

 

[Dexman]

I agree with Skip & 1043. If the R6 processor has the features you need, there is little to be gained by upgrading to an R7.

Looks like you have 2 open slots in your 5 slot carrier so you can add up two 400s or 400ECs to add as many as 8 more telephone lines.

If you have an older 5 slot carrier, it might be worth purchasing a new style as the newer style spaces the modules out more than the old style. This helps with heat dissipation and helps prolong the lifespan of the modules.

This is what the new carrier looks like with it's cover in place:

http://us.st11.yimg.com/store1.yimg.com/I/metroline_1870_9481935

You can also purchase a new carrier without the cover:

http://us.st11.yimg.com/store1.yimg.com/I/metroline_1871_625345

The voicemail upgrade to the R7 level would be nice. I, personally, would go with a new module, but a software upgrade to the existing module may be more cost effective.

Just my $0.02

 

[Scotta98]

Cheers Guys, Like I said, the only reason I was thinking about an R7 was because it had two extra lines but you guys are all on the same page so I will avoid it for now. Thanks for the tip on the partner messagig upgrade.

The help and advice is always much appreciated.

 

[Scotta98]

BTW, where would I find this PCMIA card with the software upgrade? Any ideas how much? Thanks again for the help.

 

[1043]

An Avaya Reseller would be your best bet.

 

[Roldan]

Quick question on this subject, I've got a customer that has a Partner ACS R5 and Partner Messaging R1 Module and now they want Unified Messaging. Do I just need to upgrade the Voicemail Module to R6 or R7, I can never remember what versions of voicemail are compatible with what versions of ACS's as I am a more of a Nortel guy than an Avaya guy.

Louie Roldan

http://www.4vertex.com

 

[Dexman]

Hi Louie!

All Partner Messaging voicemails are compatible with the Partner ACS R5, so upgrading the customer to an R6 or R7 should be pretty simple.

Paul (Dexman)

 

[aarenot]

If you have a Partner ACS and desire an upgrade for features that require the R7, consider upgrading the entire system by replacing it with an IP Office. The feature set is huge compared, and the R7 will need to be programmed from scratch, and its feature set is not much of an upgrade from an R6 ACS. The parter VM feature upgrades are nothing compared to the voice mail pro on the IPO. Also, the Magix is no longer going to be sold after April 06, I wonder if the partner ACS is next? If you do not see the need for any feature upgrades in the next few years, stay with the ACS, but do not expect the partner to be the focus of R&D in the future as IP is going to get the R&D money I believe. Any other opinions?

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

 

[Dexman]

Hi aarenot!

I think that the Partner ACS will be around. The recent release of R7 indicates that Avaya is not going to kill off that platform anytime soon.

The Merlin Magix had not been updated for a while so that, along with Avaya not responding to requests for feature enhancements on the Magix platform, pretty much indicated that the end of the Magix was near.

 

[aarenot]

I think the price of the IPO will keep coming down as more go into the field, that could drive the partner out of its market. It may take some time, but it will encroach on the ACS as well.

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

 

[Dexman]

No doubts that the Partner ACS will eventually disappear, but I don't think it will happen within the next year. I would guess maybe 3 years before the Partner is dropped.

 

[aarenot]

That mat well be a fair assumption.

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