sundance-communications.com/forum Forums TDM Business Telephone Systems Vodavi Telephones & Systems Would getting Vodavi Flash Voicemail be a wise decision?

Hi,

I own a small business, we currently have a Vodavi STS telephone system with 4 3515-71 (24-button) telephones. We are looking to purchase a VODAVI Starplus STS/STSe 8 Port Flash Voicemail Card "Model # - 3534-00". All we basically need is a voicemail system that can automatically answer and route calls (through our 2 telephone lines) to these four stations, and if no one is there to answer, we need it to forward into a voicemail box after 4 rings. 3 Hours of voicemail storage would be very sufficient.

Would this system work? I would be programming it myself, how difficult is it to program? Would I be able to program it from one of our telephones or do I need to buy an operators terminal?

Does this voicemail card work with the message waiting lamps on the phones? Would this be able to provide a dial-by name company directory also?

Thanks,
Nick

Yes, to all of the features above. It can be programmed using a PC using Hyperterminal, but you will be in way over your head if you don't have the installation and programming manual. It's designed for a trained installer, so if you are coming in blind, it's going to be confusing.

Do I need to have a one of those modem cards installed in my system, or does the Flash VoiceMail have its own modem I can dial up to?

If you install the system modem (MODU), then yes, it can be used to access both the KSU programming or the in-skin voice mail card. They can't be accessed simultaneously though. You can also use an external modem if you want, but it would be a waste of resources in my opinion.

Nick,
Like ed said, technically you can try to program it yourself, but without training or even the manual it will be difficult.

Think about it this way, technicians go to training to learn about this, even with that training the most proficient technician in the world will still take about 3 hours to do the install that you are talking about - maybe more. Remember, that is someone that has been trained, knows what he/she is doing and puts these systems in every day. Now, if that is someone that has no idea how to do the install it will probobly take around 8 hours (at least), and still may not be programmed exactly how you would want it to be.

Is it really worth your time to do this? How much time will be used that could have been better spent? The couple houndred that you spend for a professional install will be well worth the money. Having a professional will give you a good install (with everything working the way you want), parts warranty of 5 years AND labor warranty for at least one year, support in training, and support for down the road. To me those things are well worth the minor investment.

Nick, as other have said in replys to other posts of yours. These systems are not really meant for the end user to program. In fact, no real telephone system is. That is why there are companies like the ones on this forum that do this work. This forum is NOT a replacement for a certified installer that knows what he/she is doing.

Steve

You would never buy an 8 port voicemail to handle two dial tone lines.

A two port would be just fine, how many times would you be checking your voicemail and have two incomming calls ring at the same time?

You want to pay way too much? I specialize in helping those people. Please forward your bank account info, your mother's maiden name and don't open your mail for several months.

Bunnie,
It is not that you "need" or do not "need" a 8 port voice mail, that is the port numbers that the flash voice mail for the STS (and XTS/XTSc for that matter) come in. It is an exceedingly inexpensive in-skin flash voice mail card that honestly works great. If the pricing that he is getting (seems like from ebay or the like) are anything similar to what the dealers in my area price these at I can assure you he is not spending a ton of money. Price wise they price out about the same or less than a call pilot 100 for a comperable product with double the ports/channels.

Steve

Bunnie!!!! Hello!!! 8am and right after lunch>