I currently have a Meridian1, supporting about 120 extensions, with 1 digital and 1 analog card not used as yet. It is running Version 2111, Release 22, Issue 18. I have been asked by management to determine if I need to upgrade the hardware or software, and I would like an unbiased oppinion. So please feel free to give me some advice.
Tek-Tips is the largest IT community on the Internet today!
Members share and learn making Tek-Tips Forums the best source of peer-reviewed technical information on the Internet!
-
Congratulations Mike Lewis on being selected by the Tek-Tips community for having the most helpful posts in the forums last week. Way to Go!
Upgrade advise
- Thread starter taliotta
- Start date
Hawk's correct. What are you doing with the system. We had a request from a customer that had a Rel 15, Opt 21. Mind you this was last summer. He wanted a quote for maintenance.
We informed him that his system was End of Life and no longer supported by Nortel. He said the system was in a clean room, 95% analog ports, 16 copper trunks with no voicemail or any other applications. This switch was used so a papermill could have phones across the mill so people could use the phone.
Would you upgrade this system? I wouldn't. Much of the hardware can be obtained from the Gray market if hardware failed, but he had clean backups, the original software and a smooth running system.
If you fall under the same category and you are not running any special applications (Call Center or IVR) and your system is running clean, and you get good backups on a regular basis, have all your original software and you have adequate electrical protection, then you might not need to upgrade.
But, if by chance something happens to your system and you need Nortel support, you won't get it. Your software is no longer supported by Nortel. I would be willing to bet you couldn't even get a ticket open with ETAS without a PO to upgrade your system.
There are a lot of Marketing programs for customers. Some are ending and some will start in the new year. Nortel will make you a good deal on an upgrade, because it is easier for them to maintain your system, if you need to call ETAS.
But look at it like this. In 1999 (7 years ago) what Network Operating system were you using on your desktop? Do you even have the same Desktop?
120 people X $500.00 for new computers = $60,000
3 servers X $2500.00 = $7500
Software upgrades = $25,000
Just ball park here. $92,500 in possible network upgrades over the last 7 years. I would bet that it was more than this.
I have always told Network people, "If my switch was down as much as your network, I would be out of a job" but a company is always willing to spend the money to upgrade the network side, before the voice.
Ask your management what they would be willing to pay, if the phone system went out and they had to replace the whole system? The upgrade is cheaper.
What you missed, unless you can get them to buy today,
SRS - Subscription Renewal - If you pay for 2 years, you get all three and Nortel waived the $10 per ISM so you would have saved $22,000 over the course of the three years, and you get the free upgrades.
MMail to CP 50% of each voice user license. Saves money, not a lot in your case since you don't have a lot of users, but some.
Look after the new year and get your vendor in the office and have them try to sell you the upgrade. Look for marketing programs, It's not that much to upgrade an Option 11 to Succession 4.5. You would be looking at a new SSC card, because of memory and then the software, and then the Call Pilot.
Hope this rambling helps.
John
We informed him that his system was End of Life and no longer supported by Nortel. He said the system was in a clean room, 95% analog ports, 16 copper trunks with no voicemail or any other applications. This switch was used so a papermill could have phones across the mill so people could use the phone.
Would you upgrade this system? I wouldn't. Much of the hardware can be obtained from the Gray market if hardware failed, but he had clean backups, the original software and a smooth running system.
If you fall under the same category and you are not running any special applications (Call Center or IVR) and your system is running clean, and you get good backups on a regular basis, have all your original software and you have adequate electrical protection, then you might not need to upgrade.
But, if by chance something happens to your system and you need Nortel support, you won't get it. Your software is no longer supported by Nortel. I would be willing to bet you couldn't even get a ticket open with ETAS without a PO to upgrade your system.
There are a lot of Marketing programs for customers. Some are ending and some will start in the new year. Nortel will make you a good deal on an upgrade, because it is easier for them to maintain your system, if you need to call ETAS.
But look at it like this. In 1999 (7 years ago) what Network Operating system were you using on your desktop? Do you even have the same Desktop?
120 people X $500.00 for new computers = $60,000
3 servers X $2500.00 = $7500
Software upgrades = $25,000
Just ball park here. $92,500 in possible network upgrades over the last 7 years. I would bet that it was more than this.
I have always told Network people, "If my switch was down as much as your network, I would be out of a job" but a company is always willing to spend the money to upgrade the network side, before the voice.
Ask your management what they would be willing to pay, if the phone system went out and they had to replace the whole system? The upgrade is cheaper.
What you missed, unless you can get them to buy today,
SRS - Subscription Renewal - If you pay for 2 years, you get all three and Nortel waived the $10 per ISM so you would have saved $22,000 over the course of the three years, and you get the free upgrades.
MMail to CP 50% of each voice user license. Saves money, not a lot in your case since you don't have a lot of users, but some.
Look after the new year and get your vendor in the office and have them try to sell you the upgrade. Look for marketing programs, It's not that much to upgrade an Option 11 to Succession 4.5. You would be looking at a new SSC card, because of memory and then the software, and then the Call Pilot.
Hope this rambling helps.
John
- Status
Similar threads
- Locked
- Question
- Locked
- Question
