I am looking at purchasing a new phone system and am not sure as to which one to choose. I have narrowed it down to about 3 or 4 brands, but would like some input to help make my final decision.

The systems that I am down to are: Panasonic TDA, NEC IPK or Topaz (Available in Australia - I believe this is a rebadged Nitsuko), LG Aria or an Alcatel Omni PCX.

What I would like to know is some sore or bad points and also good points of each system and a recommendation of which one would be best.

The specs for the system will be:

15 Digital Handsets
5 Analogue Handsets
4 ISDN Lines
2 PSTN Lines
1 External Pager
1 Music on Hold Port
The option for some sort of dialling option would be good (DISA?)
Ability to have extension voicemail would also be good (maybe for the future)
Ability to connect VoIP in the future is a maybe too

Any information with regards to this would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you in Advance.

[This message has been edited by JimBeam (edited October 26, 2004).]

All phone systems have exspectaions and limitations. One main factor you must consider if price is your concern, is the avaiablity of parts and its Resonable service life. Does the manufacture produce enough units to easily find spare parts 10 years later? Or will it be discontinued after 100,000 units. My point is simular to car buying. If manufactures sell a lot of a particular brand of cars then there will be alot of parts 10 years later. Find your local Phone guy and work with him. He may not sell what you think you want but will provide a solution to your endless needs and a system that he can suport. Depending on the type of business you are in can also be a key factor. Although, It may be your first phone system it won't be your last.

Thank you for your response. I will take your advise and do a lot more research before making my decision.

Thanks again.

I have just started learning the Alcatel Omni PCX 4400, I have done two seperate 5-day courses with Integ (www.integ.net.au), they are also our System maintenance company. I have found them most helpful.
Our 4400 is in a hospital so we expect a very high grade of service. After doing the two 5 day courses I have found the 4400 pretty easy to understand the whole system and to do changes.
Depending on what you want, I always think service from the Vendor is the number thing you want after System requirements.
We also have three Siemens PABXs, one being a Hicom 350E (which would be two big for what you want). So I am not just biased to the Alcatel.

[This message has been edited by dtu (edited October 31, 2004).]

[This message has been edited by dtu (edited October 31, 2004).]

"Depending on what you want, I always think service from the Vendor is the number thing you want after System requirements."

I could not have said it better myself.
Unless you are planning on doing the installation, setup, and future maintainance yourself, find a good vendor who will provide high quality service.
Ask for references. Check the references. Ask other people with similar sized systems who they use and what they think about the service that they are recieving.
A good vendor can make a mediocre system work well. A poor vendor can make the best system a nightmare.

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Toshiba Telephone Repair