sundance-communications.com/forum Forums General General Telephone & Systems Information Need advice on new/refurb system

Hello and thanks in advance for reading/replies.

We are a "busy" small business and currently have Comdial Executech, 2 lines installed, KSU is N0616, main phone is 6714X-PG, four stations are 6706X-PG, one is a customer courtesy phone, we transfer a lot of calls out to that. System has served us well. Phones in dire need of refurb. KSU has never had any problem, knock on wood. No bells and whistles are necessary.

We contacted our previous installer. They specified a "PCS Digital", says "Starplus DHS", SP7314-71 on the phone. Its got a few bells/whistles, but he showed me a phone and it doesn't seem like it was built to last.

Any suggestions on a quality, low thrills system? I'm thinking we just need to refurb the phones, maybe. Now, it would be nice to have one cordless/wireless terminal, fully functional, which I believe PCS digital can provide. I dont think that is an option with Comdial Executech.

Sorry long post, thanks in advance.

Buckeye
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I cannot speak for some dealers here, but I would stay away from the PCS system that you were proposed. It may work fine, but to be honest, it is a system that is rather old, and is actually a clone of a discontinued system made by Vodavi/Starplus.

You can find plenty of good systems out there in the same p rice range that are still maufactured. Good names and systems for your size are: Vodavi (XTSc, Starplus), Panasonic, Vertical Comdial (DX-80), Nortel (CICS), Avaya (partner), NEC, there are really a lot of good manufactureres out there that are not just copying discontinued products, so I would stay away from that PCS product if I were you. Out of that list I would recomend the Vodavi XTSc, the Nortel and the Vertical Comdial for their reliabiliy.

The Starplus DHS line was released in 1986 (I believe), around the same era as your Comdial Executech. Bottom line, IMHO it is old technology with a few spruced up pieces from PCS.

Honestly, as for your question about refurbing the phones, that may be an option. However, be careful, sometimes the money spent to do that ends up near the cost of a new system. ALso, despite the fact that the KSU has not had problems, it is old and those are not cheap to replace, even if you wanted to. So, if you get the phones refurbed the KSU could die in a little time making the refurb a wash.

happy phone looking!
Steve

IMHO, if the current system is filling your needs and you do not want or need things like an auto attendant, voice mail, or caller ID, then you will save a bundle getting your phones refurbished or buying quality refurbished replacement phones vs buying a new system.
The older Comdials were built to last. The KSUs are very durable and, barring a lightning strike, could easily last you another 10 years. Also, there are a ton of the Nxxx series KSUs out there on the refurb market at very resonable prices (cheap) if it does kick off on you.
Of course, I am a bit biased as we are a company that specializes in repairing and refurbing phones.
Last, if you do ever buy refurbished phones, stay a long ways away from E-Bay or any company that will not offer at least a one year warranty. There are a number of fly-by-night companies out there that buy up old phones, clean them off, and sell them as "refurbished" without even testing them.

To re-enforce what Paul144 said, I have supported / replaced the Nxxx series KSUs and used quality refurbished sets to assist my customers.

Yes, it is old technology but if it fulfills your needs, go for the refurbed sets. As Paul stated, the only KSUs I've upgraded were due to lightning.

I comes down to a business decision. If you decide to go with a new system, make sure your dealer is right for you. Price is not everything when it comes to your telephones, the gateway to your business for your customers. You can buy equipment anywhere but you can't buy service just anywhere.

Hope this assists you in your decision.

KLD

These comments help a lot...thanks for the detailed responses.

About the lightning, I'm now going to plug KSU into UPS; it never had one. The previous installer said he has some refurb phones to take care of our present need.

Addtnl ?:
1. Is there a walkabout/wireless station that can be used with our present N0616?
2. I have an independent phone jack that I manually use for the fax machine or internet dial-up. This is the 2nd line, but is connected "before" the KSU. But when it is left plugged in, someone calling in may get the fax machine mistakenly (call bounces to 2nd line if 1st in use). Is there other equipment I can install on this jack only to monitor for faxes? Fax not used very often.

sorry for the trivial questions...

You could put a fax detect device ahead also, than if a fax it'd go to the fax, in not it'd go to the system. These aren't real expensive, your phone guy probably has them or can get them.

Unfortunately, I believe you are stuck for a cordless option (although I could be wrong). I am pretty sure that the only cordless option you have with that system is to use a regular S/L cordless phone on a S/L port. You would have very restricted functionality. Of course, with the small number of lines and stations that you have, you do not need access to much in the way of functions.

I'd agree with paul about the refurbed sets.

But, you might be surprised by the low cost of a new digital system with a fully funtional cordless set. I'd offer the Comdial Verticl DX80 with 4 digital sets and a cordless. If you want some guidence on retail pricing send me an email.
Mark

1) Most newer systems have some type of fax detection built in so you might not need a seperate fax detect device.
2) I have heard really good things about the cordless units on the DX-80.