sundance-communications.com/forum Forums General General Telephone & Systems Information To IP or not to IP

The software package above actually refers to the Operating Sytem of the switch. It comes burned in a PC Card. The "IRAD" part means that the Remote Administration function is enabled. The actual Remote Admin software is NRU (Nortel Remote Utilities), you would need version 10 or above for the 7.xx CICS OS. It is normally NOT included with the system as far as I know, but can be downloaded from Nortel Tech Support for free. The CallPilot has its own OS and Admin software that usually comes in the package.

I have limited experience with Pure IP systems in a production environment (I have tested inhouse several different systems). The only system (actually a hybrid) I have ever installed as a pure IP in a production setup was from this company: TalkSwitch

A couple of things that full IP systems do extremely pooly. Ringdown circuits to your dispatch center. Mechanical bell ringing. Interfacing to a radio system. Interfacing with a paging system. Generally speaking, as we do quite a few fire stations you want a hybrid IMHO.

Well now I am not defiantly not doing an IP system, especially after seeing the price difference.

Kumba - This system does not handle emergency calls, they are all routed to the county communications center, this is just for normal calls.

So my only remaining question is how hard is a Nortel system to program? Nothing on this system is all that difficult, the lines appear on all the phones, with a few voicemail boxes, and an auto-attendant. The one thing I forgot about was the bell that rings when there is an incoming call, currently we one connected to the inbound co lines tapped off one of the phones, but we can probably live without it. We currently have two line Panasonic phone that have intercom capability.

The last piece to tie in is our Viking door station, I will have to get a part number off it, but it is inline with one of our co lines and it rings it directly, once you pick up the phone you can talk to the person and then hit two keys and it releases the door. If needed we can probably change it out to a door station for whichever system we decide to go with. And I installed the card access so getting the two tied back together shouldn't be a problem.

If I were you, I would 1st start by listing all your wants, desires, dreams, how you want/need it to work, etc. Highlight the must-haves.

2nd, I would do as Larry (nfcphoneman) suggested & get quotes from several local dealers. If their systems can't do what you want, send them on their way.

3rd, I would accept the fact that a typical phone system is NOT something that you can plan on programming start to finish. In this regard, and no offense intended, let the system installer do, and thus do it right. At least with Nortel, there's no way a 1st time installer is going to understand the programming.

It'll pay in the long run to have a pro install & program it. He's going to be your best buddy when you need him. Besides, YOU may not be there when the need arises in the future.

Talk to all the brands, that are locally represented, that you see listed on this site. They are all good systems, and I believe most of them have something in your price range and needs. Some of them have built-in door box capability and doorstrike control. If you look around, here, you'll see that we all say, Dealer, Dealer, Dealer. Get a GOOD dealer, with references. And check them out. Have a list of needs going in, so you can compare apples to apples. Number of lines, number of extensions, doorbox and doorstrike needs, analog single line phone capability for public access, toll control needs, etc ad naseum. Hopefully, they can give you customer names that have needs somewhat like yours. John C. (Not Garand)

I agree with MooreTel, but with a good installer who is willing to show you what to do you would probably pick it up quickly. The problem is, if you don't do it often or keep good notes, you forget the next time you need to work with it. That's why having someone local you can call for assistance would be best. I have done all the Volunteer Fire Companies in my immediate area and I always provide free assistance to them. In fact I sell them what they need at nearly wholesale pricing. I bet a vendor near you would do the same.

Same as Mark, I do several firehouses, do it at cost plus, and they are great, it saves my tax money, and it has led to more work outside the firehouse.

That being said, look for the local dealer that has the system you need, not the system then the dealer. It would be like trying to get a Ferrari fixed in this hick town...but a Ford is no problem.

Good luck.