Small, CHEAP phone system - 10ppl

[SteveLord]

Moving some people out of one of our NY offices into another. Currently there is a Lucent Merlin/Legend type of system there. With Voicemail (forget what kind it is) that resides on an old computer with an old GUI interface.

Trying to find out the simplest and CHEAPEST option to get 10 people setup with that.

Keep in mind, this is something I will not be doing myself.

-Strip out the Lucent system and move it?

-Purchase another system and have it installed. Small and cheap remember!

Which would be the cheaper/easier of the two? And by easier...I also mean cheaper since it would be less labor for a telecomm guy to do.

=)

Thanks!

IT Admin (PBX Newbie)
Nortel Option11
Version 1411
Release 21
Issue 7+
MerMail 10.7.2

 

[paterson]

If you can find a vendor/tech that can service what is already there, that would be the cheapest. I haven't worked with the lucent switch before, so I don't know if there is a required password to get into programming.

For cheap phone systems, I would look at Panasonic or Toshiba or even a Nortel BCM if buying new.

If you want to buy used, that would be much cheaper than new. But, make sure that before you buy, you have someone available that can service the system.

**************************************
Insert Witty Signature Here.

 

[ravnz5]

I would use the existing equipment if cost is a factor. Shop service rates with phone companies and ask for referrals of some of their customer's. You want a reputable service company.

We all need a little help once in awhile. Tony the Phoneman..

 

[edelliott07]

Moving the existing would be much cheaper and easier. Only the labor to pull it out and install it plus no training of users!!!! That's the biggest plus.

 

[Dexman]

As others have said, keeping the old Merlin telephone system would be the cheapest way to go.

If it is a Legend, and it has the ability to save configurations to a PCMIA card, be sure to back everything up before powering down, this would include any voicemail system.

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

 

[Bas1234]

I dont think moving is the cheapest, use an Avaya Small Office with some digital stations is cheaper i think, but use Sip trunks it will pay you back in 1 or 2 years.

greetzzzz....Bas

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

 

[LkEErie]

Just for fun, put a number to those 10 digital phones and an IP Office. Let's call it $800 plus $200 a phone and you still have to build the infrastructure.

Or build the infrastructure and move the old system. Add SIP trunks from any provider and you still save the same on phone calls, so you just threw away $2800 on an IPO and new phones.

How is that cheaper than moving the system?

LkEErie

 

[skip555]

yea but IPO is way cooler dude ,

its got "IP" right there in the title

(I would move what you have , find a good vendor and your set )

 

[Bas1234]

Don't forget when your disconnecting the old PABX, and moving that is for free and it will take some hours to do that.

Or maybe another option is to use Audiocodes. Leave the Merlin where it is, put an Auciocodes FXO and connect it to some pots. On the new site put an Audiocodes FXS and connect them to each other thru VPN so the the reception can see if their busy and they can call internal.
The users on the new site can use allmost all the options from the site where the Merlin is.

greetzzz...Bas

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

 

[LkEErie]

If you can't remove a 10 phone key system in less than 30 minutes, you need to find a new line of work They always come out in way less time than they go in.

Now in some states, you have to mine the old cables, but that's a different thread.

LkEErie

 

[nascomm1]

Mine the cables LkEErie?

Three states I work in we abandon cable in place.


Vince

 

[skip555]

NEC does require the removal of Abandoned cabling , but that would be between the bldg owner and tenant

I would think owner would want the cabling in place for the next tenant

I agree , 15/30 min from the time I pull in the parking lot until I'm back in the truck leaving to remove most anything

 

[skip555]

heres some info on abanded cable removal

Enforcement

The permitting process triggers inspections. Typically, electrical inspectors are responsible for inspecting the removal of abandoned cable and enforcing the code. Due to the potential fire hazard from the accumulation of abandoned cable, fire and life safety inspectors, such as fire marshals, may also be involved in inspection and enforcement.

Removal of Abandoned Cable

The NEC does not address the issue of when abandoned cable must be removed. Most end-users initiate removal projects when new cabling systems are added, or when a major renovation is being done. However, timing is up to local jurisdiction.

http://www.dupont.com/cablingsolutions/abandoned_cable/hidden_danger.html#abandonedCable

 

[LkEErie]

Most AHJ's in MI require it, some in OH also. I think it's going to be part of the NEC 2005 or later regs. I read that it is coming, but I don't remember where I read it.

IIRC some of the language is that you can tag it for future use. I know when I go into an existing structure, I'd much rather prefer that the old cable is still there....it makes a wonderful pull string in the worst case.

LkEErie

 

[skip555]

so they require the cable be removed along with the system ?

no reusing existing cable ?

we do a lot of jobs where we reuse existing and maybe add a drop or two .

what I'm seeing is they MAY require it at inspection time on the new install
reuse what you can , remove what you don't need

as to NEC inclusion , its there ,from the link I posted

Recognizing the serious potential hazard from abandoned cable prompted the NEC and NFPA to write codes and standards requiring its removal. For example: Section 800.52(B) of the 2002 NEC states: "The accessible portion of abandoned communications cables shall not be permitted to remain." Additionally, Section 800.52(1) of the 2005 NEC states that "abandoned cables in vertical runs shall be removed." Other sections in the 2002 NEC and the 2005 NEC dealing with other cable types, such as fiber optic cable, contain similar language.

(off course Ive seen some where the de-installing tech clipped everything at the ceiling so it couldn't be reused)

 

[LkEErie]

Of course, that means if you clip it you HAVE to remove it.

Here's a scary link

http://www.connectworld.net/macc/abandoned_cable_removal.html

LkEErie

 

[aarenot]

I am not saying move it is not the best approach, but 15-30 minutes, and you are ready to re-install? I charge for the drive time between sites, as well as consider it less than professional not to reprogram the system as needed when doing a move as it is almost always beneficial. That requires actually meeting with the customer to at least determine if there will be any programming chnages needed, and that takes 15 minutes most times.

Also, some back ups writing can take up to twenty minutes alone on VM, LOL.

 

[aarenot]

Google Sundance, you can find some help there to get it done.

 

[metballnut]

GO ON EBAY....get a chep tadiran emerald ice with flash vm...they work fine, easy to install and maintain. Usually comes with a CD with the install program. You can get one for a song

 

[Westi]

moving will cost you probably anywhere from 500 to 1000 bucks and that is, if there is no cabling required, but then you are still stuck with the old Lucifer dinosaur. Get some quotes for a brand new system from a reputable vendor and have them install it.

advantage: the new system is in place when you move and the movers and the phone guys are not in each others way (which costs time and money for both and frustrates both too) also you have a warranty on the system on installation and parts, if the old system gets damaged on the transport you are sitting there with analog phones until you get a repair or replacement.

MOST IMPORTANTLY: get a system that is newer technologie to be able to step up into the new VoIP world that is fast emerging so you don't get stuck at one point with obsolete and expensive phone equipment.
5 years is these days the lifespan of a system, after that it needs either upgrading via software or replacement if that is not possible to keep up with developments in the industrie.

ERGO: get a new system and sell the old one on e-bay to some poor bloke that doesn't do his research and thinks he gets a bargain


Joe W.

FHandw., ACA, ACS

If you can't be good, be good at it!