Shoretel vs Avaya 1

[LuxAeterna]

We're choosing between Shoretel and Avaya phone systems. Both seem to fit our needs.

Anyone have any feedback, complaints, preferences? Why one or the other?

Thanks in advance for your replies.

 

[tnphoneman]

I don't like the fact that you have to pay Avaya a monthly fee or they shut off your ability to make changes to the system.

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[Dexman]

Which Avaya system(s) are you considering?

If it ain't broke, I haven't fixed it yet.

 

[mattKnight]

I don't like the fact that you have to pay Avaya a monthly fee or they shut off your ability to make changes to the system.

Don't confuse a service agreement with licensing...

Take Care

Matt
I have always wished that my computer would be as easy to use as my telephone.
My wish has come true. I no longer know how to use my telephone.

 

[vaoldschl]

Just to give perspective: I work on Avaya, have for decades, and would like to install a Shoretel system. That is not to say I prefer Shoretel but after having seen their presentation and the system at work I would be interested in doing a little more than kicking the tires as it were. From a licensing perspective: most everything you need for everyday business comes stock with the Shoretel. Much of what you need in the Avaya is a pay to play scenario. Like anything, look past the glossy sales brochure. Avaya is tested and true. Before I bought the Shoretel for a large implementation I would talk to someone using it in a large implementation.

 

[Deweyhumbolt]

Go to the Shoretel forum, there are some existing lively threads regarding this issue.

"Adversity is Opportunity

 

[metballnut]

I have installed both the IP Office and now the Shoretel.

IMHO, The Shoretel kicks the sh!t out of the Avaya.

It is easier to admin, easier to use and has better features and can grow with the business.

 

[GSmitherman]

I install both Avaya and ShoreTel. If everything is equal, I would choose ShoreTel every day. Avaya does not have a system that can grow with a company like ShoreTel can. I agree with Dewey, go to the ShoreTel forum for some lively discussions.

 

[RikRodgers]

Nortel is irritating me Dewey. Are you installing more Shoretel?

Might be worth a look.

 

[Deweyhumbolt]

Yes Rik, all remote offices are Shoretels, about 8 or 9. Ripped out the P-Ps attached to MICS 3.0s, and installed Shoretels sharing the P-P bandwith with data. With ShorewareDirector, you see all your switches/Vmail Servers on one screen. Extremely intuitive, and sufficient Analog Stations and Trunks.

In the past year and a half, the only non-telco trouble was rebooting one of the Vmail Servers twice. Also, one bad display. It is definitely worth a looksie. It takes a real hottie, to not go home from the dance with my tried and true, Nortel Norstar/BCM.

"Adversity is Opportunity

 

[Bas1234]

@LuxAeterna,

Are you going to connect the Pabx to sites overseas?
Shoretel is unknow in Europe so if you'll need to connect it overseas be aware that it will be hard to find an installer.

Greetzzz...Bas

___________________________________________
It works! Now if only I could remember what I did...
___________________________________________

 

[GSmitherman]

ShoreTel can give you a HUGE list of installers in Europe. Avaya loves to use scare tactics to try and sell their product. How do I know this....I also install Avaya systems.

 

[Lostpbx]

There is a lot of pro Nortel opinions here and thats good, Nortel is a good system with lots of features. I however am using an Avaya system and wouldn't trade it for anything. The original system was installed in 1988 and is still going strong, with a few upgrades. The up side is it is easy to learn the programing, parts are cheap and plentiful and I can tie the old switches into the new switches without having to do a full upgrade. Also you can use voip, digital and analog phones all thru the system. The down side is the licensing is a little expensive on the initial purchase but the reacurring is cheap and you get a lot of features under one license npt like Cisco where depending on the equipment you buy needs between 1-5 licenses to operate it. also the switches are not power hungary. I do have to disagree with one point that was mentioned, it is very easy for my system to grow as I need. Either way you go your going to get a good system though.

 

[telecomtekperson]

If you compare all of the features from Avaya and Shoretel, that are free out of the box, Avaya wins. Add the features that you can add with licenses and Avaya still wins.

For the money, and features I say Avaya. Ability/ease to add IP, digital or analog phones makes it a powerful product.

http://www.telemanuals.com

http://www.telemanuals.com/forum

 

[big70]

Avaya,Cisco, shortel,tadiran,Microsoft,Nortel,Mitel and so on.

Al products are as good as the people thats installing it.

There are no bad an non feature rich Telephony switches any more.(al have other strong points)

But there are still a lot engeneers that can make your head spinning with incompetence.

So be sure the company that you pick has the skills.....
More important then the product you use.

Greets Peter

 

[GSmitherman]

Check out the following:



March 06, 2006


Study Ranks ShoreTel Over Avaya, Cisco and Nortel

By PATRICK BARNARD

TMCnet Associate Editor

IP PBX vendor ShoreTel Inc. scored near-perfect marks for its value, easy installation, troubleshooting and overall performance in an independent study recently undertaken by Nemertes Research.

For the third year in a row, IT professionals placed ShoreTel ahead of IP telephony giants Avaya, Cisco and Nortel. According to a news release, ShoreTel beat out these three other companies by an even bigger margin than last year.

The annual study, entitled “Convergence and Next-Generation WAN Technologies,” is based upon interviews with IT professionals who are asked to score their IP telephony vendors across nine categories: value, technology, VAR expertise, management tools, customer service, solution experience, product features, ease of installation/troubleshooting and overall performance.

 

[GSmitherman]

Before you start blasting me for posting an article 3 years old, this shows that ShoreTel has been beating the competition for a few years. Once again ShoreTel was named Best of Show at the 2009 VoiceCon. (3 Years in a row)

Peter did hit the nail on the head. You can have a great product, but if the installer doesn't do their job right you will have issues.

 

[IPOfficeIreland]

Without ranting and raving, no one has even asked the question, re quote "We're choosing between Shoretel and Avaya phone systems. Both seem to fit our needs",

What are your needs?

 

[intrigrant]

Avaya is good, Shoretel is good
Avaya considers Shoretel as potentially their biggest competetor, that says enough.