atcomsystems.ca/forum Forums TDM Business Telephone Systems Nortel Telephones & Systems Norstar MICS upgrade

I may be upgrading an MICS from 4.1 to 6.1 software. Can anyone tell me the features and/or advantages I will gain by doing the upgrade?

New features and hardware for version 6.1:

• T24 Key Indicator Module (KIM) and T7316E Business Series Terminal. When put together, the unit is referred to as a Central Answer Position (CAP). These two pieces of hardware are designed to replace the M7324/CAP module setup. The T7316E can also be deployed as a stand-alone unit, and works the same way as previous versions of the T7316 with some minor changes,
including an active handsfree key below the main dialpad. Both units come with installation instructions. The KIM can be used in two configurations. The ordinary
KIM (OKIM) has the same functionality as the current unassigned CAP module. The enhanced KIM (eKIM) supports lines, multiple target lines, and hunt group
appearances (CAP/KIM assign on page 435).
Up to four KIMs can be attached to an enhanced T7316E, without requiring a system auxiliary power supply (SAPS). A T7316E can only support a maximum of four eKIMs, however, it can support up to nine OKIMs, with the addition of a SAPS. The system can support a maximum of five CAP units using EKIMs. This numberwill include any T7324-based CAP installations you might already have. The system can support many more CAP
units using OKIMS. The KIM and T7316E also provide call-specific icons to make call tracking easier. You cannot program Answer DN keys onto a KIM.

• destination code enhancements
— 12-digit destination code: You can specify up to 12 digits as a destination code, which allows you to support user expectations of dialing requirements for
existing systems. For instance, if your users are used to dialing 91XXX-XXX-XXXX for a long distant call, they can continue to do so, even though the call may go
through your private network or may use more than one route. This allows you to provide a seamless transition to network dialing. (Routes and destination
codes on page 381)— multiple least-cost routing: When you specify a schedule other than Normal for a destination code, you
can specify up to three possible routes the call can access, in order of preference. (Programming for least cost routing on page 395)

• Silent monitor for hunt groups
Your Hunt group supervisors can now monitor hunt group calls, either silently, or by providing a conference tone to
indicate that the call is being monitored (Silent Monitor on page 432). Other new functionality has been added to allow you to determine which telephones will be allowed to silent monitor (Capabilities on page 335), how many monitoring telephones your system will allow (SM sets on page 466), and what password is required to enter a monitoring session (Silent Monitor password on page 407). Refer to the Modular ICS 6.1 System Coordinator, You need to reprogram your truks if using more than 4 lines. Line 5 (port 25) is changed to (port 30). Guide for a detailed description about how to use the feature.

• CLID display enhancements:
— display an incoming call CLID on a telephone with
activated CLID display, where a call is currently
active.
• overlap dialing (profile 2 only)
— For calls over PRI lines that require pauses between dialing sequences, this feature allows the line to send a dialtone to the user between dialing an access code and dialing the telephone number.
Upgrade notes:
• When you are upgrading from a 4.1 or later system, ensure
that you have a release version 2 NVRAM cartridge.
• When making simultaneous hardware and software
upgrades (e.g. 12-port expansion plus a MICS 6.1 software
upgrade), upgrade your software release before making
your hardware upgrades.
• Ensure that you power up the system after the new
software has been installed, but before any new hardware
is added. Upgrading in this order maintains your 0X32 ICS
programming data for use with MICS 6.1 and
MICS-XC 6.1.

• If you are upgrading from a pre-6.0 system, note that line renumbering will occur. Refer to the wiring charts in
Wiring charts on page 252 for changes. You also need to reprogram lines if more than 4 lines. Line 5, port 25, is changed to port 31. This renumbering will also affect DN and mailbox numbering for any voicemail or CallPilot applications you have running on your system.

Target lines are: 157 to 284 for systems running MICS version 6.0 and greater, and 157 to 348 for systems running MICS-XC
version 6.0 and greater.

The Norstar Remote Utility (NRU) application is being replaced by the ICS Remote Tools (ICSRT) application, which
has some of the same functionality of Norstar Manager. The ICSRT Quick Reference Guide provides an overview of the features of the ICSRT application. The ICS Remote Tools User Guide provides details about using the application.

Good Luck!!

Thanks for all the info! Couple of concerns, however. This cust. is using a T1 for outgoing and DID(upgrading to PRI). I believe the DTI card is in slot 1 of the main KSU and there is an LS/DS in slot 2. Therer are target lines; I'm not sure at what number they begin.
My distibuter told me this would simply be a matter of plugging in the new software cartridge. Not true?

This should not be a problem, on 4.0 the target lines started at 145 on 6.1 they start at 157 the system should recognize this and make the appropriate changes. However it is always a good idea to back-up the system and keep good notes just in case.

You will need key cods to activate PRI.

The LS card in slot 2 will change from CO port 25, 26, 27, 28, to port 31, 32, 33, 34. You will need to reprogram this information.

If you FOLLOW THE UPGRADE PROCEDURES (listed in other post) it should keep the target line information, but if I where you I would make a paper copy of all the information.

Good Luck!!

[This message has been edited by JJ (edited February 09, 2005).]

Don't forget to make sure your NAM VM is at 4.1 before the upgrade...........