Upgrade LW29 or 3300?

[Cortisone]

After attempting to manage a Mitel SX2000 almost entirely from reading this forum the past 6mo with only a basic understanding of the technology, I have finally given in and contacted a local VAR to install some needed features.

They visited our site and performed a complete review of the system. They have suggested either upgrading our PBX software from LW 29 for $10K or installing a new 3300Mxe for $6.5K that integrates with out current hardware before doing anything else.

We currently have about 350 digital and analog phones, integrate with a third party voicemail system, and we dont use many advanced features like ACD or conferencing. We are nearing capacity on this system, but have no immediate need for growing it.

I think I know enough about the SX2000 to understand what the upgrade from LW29 will do for us, but since the 3300 option is lower cost, I want to know more about it and I'm not sure if I can really trust what these guys are saying yet.

Does going the 3300 route make sense or will I lose features by abandonding the SX2000? When can the 3300 do that the SX2000 cant besides VoIP? Is the upgrade even needed? Does the pricing sound reasonable? Any other opinions?

Thank you in advance!

 

[Waldosworld]

First off I cannot help with pricing concerns.
What type of 2K? What release of L29?
Also did they confirm that the hard drives, controllers and peripheral cards are within spec. for L34?
What type of digital sets?
Only a few of the TDM sets are still manufactured.
The reason I ask this is that 4DN sets or earlier are not supported on the 3300.
Also do you have any digital trunking?

As for the 3300MXe were you guoted with redundancy?
Redunant drives and power supplies are optional.
Also do you currently have a switchboard? As that will have to be replaced by a 5550 console which requires you to provide a pc.
The other question is the change to the 3300 planned to be set up on your current network or completely seperate?
The network requirements must be met or you will have issues. Contact your VAR for details.

As a tech I have a fondness for the 2K but the 3300 advancements are cool. You will love the new IP sets!

 

[TheMitelGuy]

Go with the 3300, it's easier for you to admin. It's all GUI based. Do not waste your money with a 2K upgrade.

 

[Cortisone]

We have the SX-2000 Light. I believe it is actually L30 R1. Not sure why I remembered L29...

It appears the quote does not include the costs for HD, controllers, etc if they are not within spec. I'm going to have to get that nailed down with the VAR... thanks.

We use 4015 and 4025 mostly. No 4DNs.

Yes, digital Trunking.

No redundncy for $6.5K. For $10K we get some redundancy. With the number of cell phones in the building, I dont think we will be hurting too much if we are doiwn for a few hours, but we will have to look at that a little more.

Our receptionist uses a 4150 with two PKM48s to transfer calls. That is one of the issues we are trying to fix from the inherited system. Looks like the 5550 console would be a nice upgrade.

We have a modern managed switched network, so I cant imagine that being a problem. We are not using PoE, but that could change if we decide to go more VoIP. I'll ask that as well.

 

[TheMitelGuy]

How does one sell a MXe controller without a 1) Controller and 2) Hard Drive? I have thinking they are included in the quote.

 

[kwbMitel]

Key issue is redundancy.

The 3300 does not provide true redundancy. If your SX2000 currently has it, you may want to keep it.

That being said, the SX2000 has not seen any software development in years and is essentially a stale product that probably does not have too many more years of support.

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Hard work often pays off after time, but laziness always pays off now.

 

[slapin]

Cortisone, I think if you would step on 3300 upgrade path you should be prepared to carefuly estimate and evaluate all the components. Sometimes VAR would give you bare basic system and then when you already hooked up would start milking you. You need to make sure that they include all the licenses, all the interface modules if you wish to re-use your analog cabinets or add new if old is not compatible. I don't think that everything will fit into 6.5K
Just one Network Link License will cost you at least 1K (most likely more) and it's not including any equipment. If you will try to add resilience you will need to purchase IP networking licence which goes for at least 3K, again, it's without any hardware, just license. So, be carefull if your budget is limited.