Remote location options?

[TomMonger]

Our main plant has an Option 11 system. We also have another plant 4-1/2 miles away. There are only 7 extensions at this location. They run on OPX lines and are all analog extensions. There is no PBX equipment located at this remote plant site.

Since the OPX lines are costing us a fortune, I'd like to do something different. Our phone comany can provide a relatively inexpensive T1 to that remote location, which could support up to 23 extensions. The phone company says this can be set up without any additional equipment at the remote end.

My questions are: If a T1 is provided from our main location to the remote site, what equipment would be needed at the main site? I'd assume I'll need a new card to convert the T1 signal. Since all 7 of the remote plant's extension are already set up as TNs on a card, will I need any other cards? I'm assuming I would need a digital card if I want to go from analog to digital. But if I want to leave those 7 lines as analog, I wouldn't need any more cards.

And lastly, are there any other cost-effective solutions?

Thanks for any help!!!
-Tom in Scranton, PA

 

[omarrj]

you could go with a fibre remote cabinet, might be costly tho, I would recommend a remote office 9115 or 9150 which is a ip unit, they work very well and you can use your meridian set, you need a minimum of release 23

 

[Reusser]

If you wanted to keep the phones analog, you could use a line side T1 in you main site - the phones are built in the switch as analog ports will all your PBX features.

the 9150 is also a good choice.

more money but the carrier remote would give you digital and analog phones.

 

[acewarlock]

Last place I worked they used TELCO Channel Banks Made to work on Nortel Systems, this was used for 8 locations 4 of them were ACD remotes. If you want to save money this is the way to go. You can get used Telco equipment really cheap, thats what we did.

 

[TomMonger]

Thanks all, for the help.

Reusser, I like your suggestion. You see, this remote location will only be in existance another 2 to 3 years, so I'd like to keep their extensions as they are... analog.

Once I get a T1, what would be involved on the main PBX side? All the remote location's DID's currently come in over OPX and conenct to an analog card. Can they stay put? I assume I'd need another card for the T1?

Thanks again,
-Tom