sundance-communications.com/forum Forums TDM Business Telephone Systems Vodavi Telephones & Systems Convice boss to upgrade / average life of 616

We have a 616 Flex with 10 executive non-display phones, no VM (lol). Here's the problem, system is dropping calls, and peridoically rings all stations until power to the KSU is reset. My boss thinks this is "normal" and doesn't want to upgrade, still thinks that this thing is worth the $5000 he paid for it in circa 1982. Secretaries are fed up with the old system, want voicemail and an auto attendant. Being the IT/communications guy, I want a new Avaya or Nortel system to replace the 616. Here's the question; my boss says that unless this thing fails, we're not upgrading. What is the average life of these 616s, and is there a possibility that this thing is gonna fail? Also, any ideas to help convice my boss are also greatly aprreciated.

Average Life of the 616.....TODAY!!!!!!!!!

If you guys like VODAVI...the STS is winning lots of raves....

The Flex 616 will last a long time with normal maintenance. It sounds like you need some maintenance not necessarily a new system. Like all telephone equipment, as long as it is doing what you need it is cheaper to maintain a current system than it is to upgrade. (1A2 is still a fine system as long as that is all you need and you can find someone to maintain it). As soon as you need it to do something it was not designed to do (Voice Mail and Caller ID) it is time to upgrade

Thanks for the replies so far. Any help is really appreciated. Groundstart - what should I be looking for in this thing indicating a failure? System is already dropping calls (2 or 3 a day), and all stations ring with odd patterns periodically. Sure, this has been a fine system, serving us well for about 20 years. However, all the employees have been complaning, especially the receptionst. They want VM and an AA. Unfortuately, the boss HATES technology (try getting a $20,000 IT upgrade past him). Any further help would be greatly appreciated.

Matthew

we all have the customer that hates technology. unfortunately it is the direction we're headed (an already in) and i hate to say it but it is not in his control if we wishes to remain in business. i would show him what technology is doing for his competitors and he'll soon see the need. i see you are in insurance and as i have probably around 400 agencies of various sizes and types as customers i know your need for technology. that vodavi system has a problem. it needs to be reprogrammed. everytime you lose power it needs to be programmed again. they are not my favorite little things but for whatever reason people still like them. i had a request the other day from someone that actually wanted one. tell your boss i got a price of 400 for the system and 16 phones and he'll soon understand that he has more than covered his purchase. in all reality, if he wrote the system off within the few years of his purhcase than he is already ahead of the game. a new system leased will provide y'all an additional tax write off that i am sure even your accounting people will help back you up on selling the idea. good luck. as you have the 616 flex, i can guess your size and would estimate a new system to be around 4-6000 for a system of this size. i won't suggest which to you as that decision is up to what y'all as a company like in features and looks. anything is an upgrade over the analog vodavi flex. even vodavi will tell you to go on to the sts or something else.

sounds like a few voltage spikes from the AC AN TELCO made its way through time to the KSU.....YOU could also try replacing the software module....

BUT............you know how it goes....MAKE THAT INVESTMENT.......

Thanks again for the great commentary. I really enjoy reading these posts, and each time our secratary reads it, her face keeps getting redder with anger. A bit more about our system: It has NEVER been serviced since it was installed in circa 1982. We have replaced 3 of the 10 phones because they have died. On Friday, I set a proposal on his desk outlining the problems with our current system, and how a new system would greatly improve our business. After the staff leaves, any call that comes in just rings until the caller hangs up. Now, if I were the customer, I would be so upset that I would be looking for another insurance agency. We are still writing PAPER NOTES to agents when the caller wants to leave a voicemail. The secretary has to leave her desk, walk half-way across the office to deliver the message. Our installer also didn't wire up any analog sets failover to in a power outage. So, if the town gets hit by a tornado (which has happened before), nobody can call the agency if their house was destroyed. What if the power goes out and there's a medical emergency in the office, or a fire, etc. No power outage failovers means no 911 service. So, the boss took a hard look at the data and said that we won't upgrade for AT LEAST another year. He says that this issue isn't "of priority, and is on the back burner." I don't think this system can take another year of use. (We average over 60 incoming calls a day, and over 80 outgoing each day). I have completely run out of ideas, and am getting very frusturated with this situation. Anyone experienced anything like this ever before? Thanks for letting me vent :-).

- Matthew

Yes, there are people out there that just don't get it. About all you can tell him is that if he doesn't keep up with the times he will get left behind. Sounds like he is more worried about saving a dollar then improving his business which will bring in allot more dollars and improve your productivity by 100%.

Just be patient, and contuine expounding the benefits of a new system. From the sounds of it you won't have long to wait. Just be ready with more info ready to go when the Flex finally does give up the ghost. All it's going to take his for him to to lose that one BIG customer that he knew he was going to get because he tried to call after hours and coud'nt get his insurance man or even leave a message. I left my agent for that very reason, I coud'nt reach her in the daytime much less after hours, and that's not a feeling you want to have when it comes to insurance. If you can't get him to budge, just be ready with the new proposal and a big I told you so. All in all, can't complain too much, installed in 82 and only have had to replace a few phones sounds pretty good to me. In the mean time check out some of the other sections on different systems and start getting an idea of what you need and feel free to ask any questions along the way. We're here to help.

(added)

Remember though sometimes the sqeaky wheel gets the grease, and sometimes the squeaky wheel gets replaced.

[This message has been edited by JOHNYREB (edited January 25, 2004).]

JUST A LITTLE HUMOR..........

Pester your boss to a point that you may find yourself un employed....LOL LOL

Just be patient.....changes will come.....