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We purchased a Norvergence CSS/ESI IVX S-Class box on eBay last year after having a couple of less than satisfactory experiences with local ESI resellers. (We've since found a good one.)

After perusing this forum and searching the Web, I'm wondering whether our system has an integrated answering machine or voice mail? What's the difference? I found user manuals for both and would just like to know which one to keep.

Thanks for any help on this.

Do you have more then (2) mailboxes? Can you build out an Auto Attendant? Can you record to various mailboxes by pressing record and the extension number?
You probably purchased a ESI IVX 42s or a Generation 1 72 E class. Open the hood on that mother and see what cards are in there. If there is a 6xx card it is a 72E. If there is a 4x8x2 then you have a 42s. Check the memory module to see if it has a flash card or a hard drive. The flash card will be a wafer board that is verticle on the top left hand corner. The hard drive is under the cards so wothout doing surgery, flip the cabinet over and look for two screws on the bottom middle part of the cabinet. they will be spaced about 3 to 4 inches apart. If you see these screws then you have a hard drive. Now to really have fun, take the card out and read the fine print on the drive. It will tell you what you have.
You could always go into programming and check the version of the system...but that is another story for a another day! If all else fails, ask your ESI dealer to tell you what you have by using ESI-Access or Procomm on a boot up!

If you found a good one then just ask? If the one you found is actually "good" then why are you avoiding him/her/them with a basic question such as this. I don't mean to sound rude or demeaning but the statement and question are contradictory?

John

Maybe because Uncle Buck does'nt want to spend a penny, getting the professional service of an ESI dealer in his area.

That is a possibility. I am sure that Uncle-Buck will respond soon and provide us with the answers we ask for. After all he is a Financial adviser and knows how important the Telephone System is in the operation of his business. Most certainly he will interact with further information in order to obtain the information he needs. Myself and several others here certainly have the ability to connect to his system and determine exactly what he has and how to get the most bang for his buck. Gotta be a financial advisers dream come true.

Wow! You guys sure are responsive.

breeze, I will open the hood and see what's under there. Thanks for your guidance.

grider, ESI referred me to a firm that appears to be a "good" local reseller. We talked on the phone late Friday afternoon and he seemed very friendly, professional, and responsive. I will definitely call him when/if we need him. But it didn't occur to me to ask him what we actually have because I didn't know there are so many variations of the product. I just thought we had an IVX S-Class box.

Avalon, I don't mind paying for advice and service from competent, trustworthy vendors. But the first two experiences we had with local ESI resellers were pretty dismal. No need to bore you with the details. You probably know what it's like to deal with people who are more interested in how much money they're going to make than in how much value they're going to add.

uncle-buck, Is your system connected up and now in operation in your office or are you getting ducks in a row first then planning to install later.

How many phones are in operation or will be in operation?

John, we're getting our ducks in a row.

One of my clients referred me to his phone man who stopped by yesterday and said he can install the system. But he indicated he can do a better job if he has an installation manual. So, I made a few phone calls to try to locate the manual, and got a real education. Nobody I talked with would send one. Apparently, they didn't want to antagonize ESI by servicing someone in another territory. I don't really understand it, but I did finally manage to locate an installation manual.

So, I'm confident that my client's guy can install the system, but also want to have a plan in place in the event of an equipment failure or glitch, now or in the future. That's why I called ESI and asked for the name of another dealer in my area.

We have two lines and four phones - so it should be pretty simple.

Thanks for any suggestions or advice.

Bert

I don't have any doubt that your client's phone man can install the system. The difference is, for example, I can probably figure out how to do your taxes, but someone who has been trained specifically in corporate taxes could probably do a better job. The difference you will experience between someone who could probably figure it out and someone who has paid to go thru the proper training from the manufacturer could mean the difference between you being happy with the system, or having a perception that the system is junk. An installer who has been trained by the manufacturer can make that system shine. Someone who just figures out how to install it by looking in the book will probably just make it work, but most likely with inadequacies (sp?).

My suggestion would be to go straight to the trained ESI installer. Then, if you insist on using your client's phone man, use him for moves and such.

That's very good advice, 5years. The challenge has been finding an ESI installer in the Houston area who is both trustworthy and competent - and willing to install Norvergence equipment. I think we've found one, but without actual experience or a referral from some that I know, it's just speculation.

You can find a financial advisor by calling in to a financial services firm and asking for one - but you're far better off asking a friend or business associate to refer you to an advisor they know and trust.