atcomsystems.ca/forum Forums TDM Business Telephone Systems NEC Telephones & Systems tele-confusion

I'm in the unenviable position of having to choose a phone system to replace Merlin and accommodate six phone lines and 15 in-building extensions at a city's senior center. Primarily, we need voice mail. I've heard the sales pitches for NEC Aspire S, NEC DSX 80, Avaya and Samsung OfficeServ 100. I've also been trying to get my head around the advantages and disadvantages of VoIP. I'm looking at features on sales materials and my head is spinning with acronyms and techno-babble. We have $5,000 to spend and need voice mail. Period. Do I really care if we get DISA, DID and ISDN-BRI? Can I hear a clear voice of assistance?

With a completely in-house system, VOIP really isn't necessary. At present, that actually drives the price up. Your configuration also doesn't sound like DISA or DID will be necessary either. ISDN-BRI is quickly becoming a thing of the past, so forget about that too.

The key in selecting a system is to check into the credentials of the installing dealer. They are who you will be working with, not the manufacturer. Be sure to check for their proper licensing, insurance and track record. Check plenty of references. It doesn't matter how good the hardware is if the installing company doesn't support it well. This qualification check is much more important that seeking the lowest bidder.

Lastly, check with the manufacturers' representatives to ensure that the potential installing company is an authorized dealer for the product. Manufacturers really have no obligation to support end-users directly, so make sure that the manfuacturer will support the dealer on your behalf.

Thanks for your perspective. I've started asking for references and placed a few calls, but I should step up my effort on that. Also, I appreciate the recommendation on determining authorizations of dealers. Good point! Can you tell me anything about "hybrid" systems that can use both traditional switching and VoIP? Would you recommend one system over another?

With a 5000.00 budget, you will be hard press to find a system with the capability of VOIP.

The NEC DSX is a great low end phone system, its strong point is the voice mail and VOIP is in the future for it.

Ed is correct, why would you need VOIP?

I'd be looking at the Samsung 7100 series very closely. Your budget is going to be tested if you implement VOIP as IP phones, but you really have no reason to do that at this time or ever.

VOIP is a nice buzz word, but you can pretty much get into a 6 line by 16 phone system with voice mail without VOIP for under your budget and it's (relatively) plug and play compatible.


Carl

3COM V3000 NBX is VOIP and if I recall correctly, can be done within your budget.

If you don't need VoIP right now and you're looking for the easiest to use system with the best voice mail (IntraMail) at the lowest price, the DSX is for you.

There are some incredible new DSX IntraMail features coming this summer that can only be had on other systems for several times the price. That's all I can say. Stay tuned...

Let's not add systems Baffled doesn't have on the consideration list, otherwise we could be doing that all day long and this will turn into a battle over our favorite systems rather than assisting Baffled at all.

Baffled, if you're expanding the kinds of systems you're looking at, including hybrid systems, it may soon be time to move this out of NEC and into General where you can get a broader audience.

However, from what you are saying, the NEC's could work very well for you.

I've never used this forum before, but the responsiveness, almost all of it worthwhile, has been very impressive! Thanks to everyone who offered opinions and information. With Keighlar's suggestion, I'm going to post my original inquiry on General, as well. I have about three weeks until my grant is approved, but my confusion is already starting to ebb!

Sorry about that Baffled. If it comes to that point, I can move it to General for you instead of posting in both places. Sorry to add to the confusion. :scratch: