sundance-communications.com/forum Forums Other TDM Phone Systems ESI Telephones & Systems ? re: end of life notification from ESI

...hello. I am sure that we have all gotten notice now that ESI will no longer be offering support on some of there older systems. We have several customers with many of the systems that are at the "end of life".

What are some experiences you guys have had as to how to approach customers or other alternative options.

I am sure it will be awkward conversation with customers to have as some of the systems where only about 5 years or ago.

Any thoughts would be greatly apprciated.

Thanks,

John

We send all of the clients affected a letter stating MD issues and state that we can continue to service the equipment as long as parts are available and then offer them a trade-in value for their existing equipment for a new system. I think we only have one 20+ left and one 128+. All the rest have taken us up on the offer to upgrade.

We used to have a sliding scale which was linked to how old the system is. Now, it's just a flat percentage. Most customers who know the value of their business and how much they are dependent on telephone communications with their customers want to keep current and will take advantage of the upgrade offer. Some, however, would still be using a tin can and string if the tin can wasn't so hard to get.

Rcaman

Do your homework. The guys real close to me have ESI parts on the shelf. I'm still not very happy that an Avaya ACS R8 processor is still sky high, but ESI parts are pretty reasonable. I'd think they can hold out for a few more years.

Carl