sundance-communications.com/forum Forums TDM Business Telephone Systems Toshiba Telephones & Systems CTX/CIX 670 Questions

Hi,
I have a CTX or CIX 670 with a Strategy IPV8 voicemail system and I'm considering upgrading to an Avaya system as my office is moving and almost doubling in size. Can anyone please tell me whether this system is worth upgrading or should I sink money into a new, slick Avaya system that will allow me to do Modular Messaging (which would be much more expensive, but might be able to justify it in the building costs).
Thanks!

If you have a CIX670 then there is not much upgrading you would have to do on the phone system side. I would suggest saving some money and getting the IES16 or IES32 for the voicemail though. That would allow you to do Unified messaging and Unified Fax. Why try to re-invent the wheel when all you have is a flat (IVP8).....?

What is modular messaging and what can it do that you need that an iES or MAS can't?

its unified messaging. the only thing holding you back is the ivp8 upgrade to ies16/32 and you will be good to go..

your system will be as slick if not slicker than the avaya, they both do all the same things, and they both do them well..

If you want that new system feel get new phones

Thanks for responding everyone. I’ve been told that Toshiba is not partnering with Microsoft on their voice and data convergence options like Live Communication Server, management via Active Directory, etc. and since this is a 10 year lease, I'm concerned that I'm going to out grow this Maybe my mind has been poisoned. I hear that other companies like Avaya, Nortel are. Since this is a 10 year lease on our new office, I’m concerned that I’m going to outgrow this system and that it may not be able to meet our future needs – whatever they may become.

We are a small financial company that at some point may want to use turrets. Do you guys know if Toshiba supports turrets?

You want it to do instant messaging(LCS)? Regarding Turrets, are you talking about the new style of finance workstations that are currently being developed with IP communications? If so, IP-integration should be done through SIP and will be compatible with any major PBX manufacturer, including Toshiba. However, Avaya does have the experience in trading turrets and has developed software specifically for that application.

Ultimately, a desk phone is primarily for communicating through the handset and I am sure your current Toshiba system fulfills that need.

I suggest asking your Toshiba vendor to demonstrate the bells and whistles of the advance Toshiba applications. Then, ask an Avaya rep to demonstrate their system.

meisgq,
Thanks for your reply. We may decide to do instant messaging. We will soon need what you've termed as finance workstations, which is better than what I would call them - phones on steroids. IPC makes some that my last place integrated (although not extremely well) through qsig to an Avaya Definity system. Apparently there is a new one that has just come out that is supposed to easliy integrate with Avaya through SIP called IPTrade
https://www.iptrade-networks.com/iptrade_demo/index.htm

I've seen a lot of the Avaya bells and whistles and have asked out current Toshiba provider for a demo also, but they seem less willing to make something available. They'd just rather tell me how they can do anything that Avaya can do, although I'm pushing for the demo.

If I keep the CTX670 system, I will be upgrading the voicemail from out Strategy IVP8 system. The vendor has recommended MicroMas Diaglogic 8 port Voice Processing System w/ 5 UM Seats for $XXXX.00 What do you think of this?

Edited for specific price posting.

Why wouldn't you put a Toshiba VM in a Toshiba system?

Make darn sure his VM will integrate completely and give you ALL of the features of the iES32!

Voyager - can you please tell me a little about the iES32? To be honest with you I didn't think to ask why not a Toshiba VM! Should have though! These guys install a lot of these, so I would think they would know, but it makes sense to at least ask. The Strategy VM that we have not seems is not sophisticated at all. They indicated that this "Windows" based one would be. Could they be offering me this because I'm looking for some more advanced features?