Typical Lifespan of Definity PBX?

[sparker001]

Just curious to see what the typical lifespan of a Definity PBX has been, from what those of you have seen or heard? We got ours in '99 and it has run wonderfully, and we can still get maintenance on it (same with Audix). Although I expect/hope it will last for more yrs to come, I dread the thought of something crashing one day that is not repairable, and then not having any monies budgeted to cover something as expensive, and unexpected, as a new phone system. So - what have you all heard/seen RE: typical lifespan?

 

[Mitch672]

There is no reason it won't run forever, however, that being said, Hard Drives (in the audix), and power supplies (in both the audix and switch) are subject to wear and tear, and may have to be replaced. Replacement parts may be hard to come by, but using 3rd party sources, you may find what you need, or not...

The good news is, with AVAYA you can in general use %90-%95 of your old hardware, in a new switch. Example, most if not all of your "TN" circuit packs will work with the very latest S8730/G650 CM 5.1.1 system, the exception are some very very old cards, and for example, if you have a PRI, you will need TN464 cards to run those. Also, pretty much every phone you have can be used, with the exception of some very old 7400 series 4-wire phones.

There are also other reasons to upgrade, such as new features and additional capabilities. You might also find your maintainace will cost you LESS with a newer switch...

Mitch


AVAYA Certified Specialist

 

[PDHall]

Depending upon what release you are running you may find that whilst the kit will go on forever, the functionality may be lacking for your call centre, another thing to consider in respect of Mitch's very valid point is that the handsets whilst they will work, wont get supported, also it can be problematic trying to implement Med-Pro cards on older releases. Equally the CMS release is dependant upon the switch release to a certain degree (so you may not be able to get the reporting features you require). If you've had it since 99 I'd say you're due an upgrade at least!!!

 

[Lostpbx]

We have had our Definity since 1988 it started out a system 75 and it has been upgraded over the years the last one was in 2000, it is now a g3v9i and running good. Parts are getting cheaper and more plentiful from my suppliers and once you get the programing down it stays the same for the most part. Like Mitch and PDHall said you can keep most of the same equipment and the license upgrades are far less than buying new ones from another phone system, those two things save you a lot of money.

 

[ryezak]

Is the definity one superior to Nortel MICS and Call Pilot Key system?

 

[inerguard]

If GOD needed a telephone switch, he'd go for Definity.

That's how superior this kit is.


[Started on Version 3 software 15 years a go]

 

[telecomturner]

Hell will freeze and thaw 3 times, then the box will be almost dead. If you are careful and don't spill any beer on the 8410d phones they last about 65 years.

 

[Midstream]

Do you think anyone will be able to tell when the very last Definity gets unplugged for the last time? I mean the very last surviving Definity, unplugged for the very last time??

I wanted to paint my 9.5 Prologix metal-flake gold and leave it on the wall as a shrine after we cut over to our S8720's.

 

[Mitch672]

the very last definity"??? we are now on Communication manager 5.1.1, the ASD design tool now produces designs with Software Load CM 5.1.2, whcih I havn't even seen yet...

As far as I know, there will never be a time when some form of the Definity/Communication Manager code isn't running.

I have found old clients with G3V3's still running, circa 1988-1989, and I'm sure they may be old Dimension systems/system 75/85 systems running, the prior model to the "defnity", but the code has been around since the early 80's, part of what makes it superior to CISCO's Call Mangler, it's had 30+ years of development/continual improvements.

mitch


AVAYA Certified Specialist

 

[jconrad0305]

it has been my experience that switch life is directly related to the environement that it is in. ie if you have a switch on a good UPS , in a controlled environment, with little or dust and debree it will last forever. i have seen switchs run for a good decade without ever being reset or powered down.

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