I JUST came across this forum while scavenging the net for info about the sx-50 I inherited with a small 50 room motel in the New Orleans area back in 2001. I don't see how I never came across it before because I've tried looking for help on so many different occasions, but support info is scarce, especially from Mitel itself. I've even tried chasing down a van with a Mitel logo on the interstate... unsucessfully. So before I even begin; just from all the old sx-50 posts I have read over, I already feel a lot less alone and hopeless, and I want to thank every tech answering those sx-50 posts. You guys already seem like a great bunch, and I've learned more in reading those posts than I have doing anything else.
On to business. My most immediate need (hopefully before Thanksgiving) is to get an Auto-Attendant and Voicemail system added to the sx-50. Frankly, I'm tired of answering the damn phone for people who have no idea who they are calling or for telemarketers that think they are calling a residence and for those guests that get incoming calls like it's going out of style. Ok, enough of that. Anyway, I am only assuming that VM and Auto-attendant comes together because there used to be a guy named Warren who ran ads in the back of a lodging magazine who was selling an Auto-attendant with VM (100 hours I think) for like $3000 and lodging while he was here installing it. It seemed like a great deal and I was ready for it, but I can't find the ad anywhere anymore. So I'm here to inquire with the forum techs hoping that someone is able to handle this type of job. Now, I don't know if the advertised units were new or used or if that price is even still current, because things change over time and it's been a few years.
What I am looking for now is current info on what I am looking at spending for such a setup; what options I have when purchasing such a setup; or if anyone happens to have one sitting in their shop they are unloading or know of where to acquire one (cheaply), and can make arrangements for setting it up onsite, or (depending on complexity) instruct me on how to install it and just provide phone support in case I get stuck on something.
I am totally ignorant of PBX systems so all longwinded enlightenment replies are welcome because I am great at digesting technical info, but there is so little of it and I still don't know the basics of exactly how a PBX works so I am afraid to touch anything in the phone room. It just looks huge and intimidating. All I fool with is the Attendant console and I've even had to learn a lot of that from hearsay, guesswork, and trial and error. So now I'm ready for someone from among the group on this forum to take me under their wing and really get me on a level where I can maintain the system, do some basic diagnostic work, and understand exactly how all the parts (hardware and software) in the "big scary box" work together so when something breaks, I'll be able to gather information from the system, pose a few questions on here, and then take a course of action. As things stand now, I don't know anything about model numbers, trunks, COS cards, SX-50 types, programming, etc etc. Hell, I didn't even know you could dial into the system to reprogram it until I read it here. But just give me some instructions and we'll be on our way.
So I thank all of you for your patience in reading this long post and all your replies both here and in PM is extremely welcome. I know some of you guys on here know each other pretty well so if you want to discuss amongst yourselves who wants to take this task on, that's fine too. I'll warn you that I like to learn fast and ask a LOT of questions when learning about new things. If you guys need to know anything about my system, feel free to ask on here too so I can post it for anyone else who might want to know.
Thanks again everyone,
Jun
Just a pure AA like EZ and others sell may be all you need. AA/VM's can get pretty pricey pretty quick and require more than just the machine. EZ is not necessarily the best, just the one I usually sell. Maybe someone in the Metairie area will chime in here. John C. (Not Garand)
50's have a magic phrase C.O.V. :-)
Carl
Unless your sold on adding VM, CMP Callextend works well with a 50. They're easy to install, setup and maintain.
John C., you're definitely right because AA is really the only thing that is critical (i.e. I got better things to do than talk to telemarketers), but I was only thinking of doing them together out of convenience for the tech/me. I mean if I decide later on that VM is wanted, then that would mean a whole other trip out here to add that too. I figure why not knock it out all at once since it was within budget.
I don't know what a C.O.V. is, but it seems from your replies like there is more than one AA available...like from 3rd party manufacturers. I thought that there would just be a Mitel SX-50 AA. It never even occurred to me that there would be more than one. If I went strictly with AA, would there be one I could add VM to later?? Because I hate making purchases that I regret later on. However, in this age of cell phones and internet, I guess it's not so critical to have voicemail. But then it seems like it would just be a nice feature to have for the guests anyway. Is most of a cost of AA/VM on the AA side or the VM side? I've always thought the AA side would cost more, but you guys are making it sound like the VM is like 80% of the cost. And I've heard about guests being able to set WU calls on their own. Is that even available on the 50?
I wouldn't count on anyone in the Metairie/New Orleans area chiming in here. I've already had two local guys not even get back to me with a quote. So I could care less. I'd rather do business with someone who is at least enthusiastic enough about what they do to be on a PBX forum sharing information with others in the field. No matte what I decide to buy, I'm buying it from someone on here that fields questions and that's just that.
Thanks again.
Jun
I don't know about 80%, but it is definitely over 50. COV is Mitel's integration for their VM. In all my time in motels (17 years) I've never used their VM, that's what cell phones are for. Motel phones are now mostly expensive alarm clocks.
Default wakeup from room in the 50 is 169. To set, lift handset dial 169 + time (in military time), hang up.
to cancel, set time to 9999.
Im not sure if you received the PM I Sent yesterday, but we can help you out with all of your needs.
Click on my contact info if you're still interested.
Reataylor is right, AA/VM is $$$$.00, AA by itself is $$$.00 And if you get seperate units, you don't have to tie up the VM unit answering outside calls. And the AA uses plain old single line ports, whereas, VM uses COV ports, which you probably do not have, unless you have some Mitel Superset 3 or 4 phones. (The console runs off a special port in the system, so don't mistake it for some sort of special Superset.) That means even more $, altho COV cards are coming down in cost, because the SX50 is no longer a current system. And again, VM is not in real demand any more, what with cell phones. One more thing, some hospitality franchises do not allow AA's, so if you are a franchised property, check with your rep. I know that's not good news, but neither is losing your 'flag'! John C. (Not Garand)
You could hook up VM without COV, but it would have to be some kind of single line integration. I hooked up an Innovation Systems on a 200D without too much trouble. But the other consideration is integration with the PMS. Not to mention the number of AA's I could have installed for all that moulah.
Lightninghorse is also right. If you're a franchise, better check on their requirements.
Keep in mind that integrating VM to a 50 analog port and to a 200D analog port ain't even close.
Something about the software. What MS55 or something vs. Lightware 15? Big strides. Most of the inexpensive VM manufactureres laugh when you mention SX-50.
I'll put a plug in for Fred at Resale Systems. Make him sell you a DuVoice cheap and you're good to go.
Carl
BTW in passing C.O.V. stands for control over voice, Mitel's implementation of digital lines to control Supersets.
COV integration is cheap y'all. Just adding a card is no big deal, Reataylor, the default wake-up code for the 50 is 69, not 169. COVoice made a wonderful voice mail integration for the 50, 200, etc. you can turn auto attendant on or off depending on trunking programming, and if VM is not a big issue, then why do most Major Flags REQUIRE IT? Jun, I sent you a PM yesterday.
Ok, the discussion is quite a bit for me to digest right now so I guess I'll just shoot from the hip. Based on John C.'s statements, it would seem that two individual stand alone setups (one for AA and one for VM) would allow me to upgrade independently and select an AA I like and mate it with a VM I like...or do they have to be compatible somehow? Although I don't really see what could possibly make one AA better than another AA. I mean all it does is play a pre-recorded message and then register what key buttons are pressed and forwards the call to the proper extension, right? What would make one surperior to another except for longevity? I'm sure there are options that I haven't even thought of. Please educate me. EZ?? DuVoice?? CMP?? And is COV even an AA/VM system?? Based on the descriptions so far, it seems more like an interface that adds digital capabilities to the 50 and VM just happens to be one of the things that it can support once it has this upgrade. I'm only assuming this because there is a lot of talk about analog vs. digital with regards to both systems and ports. I had always assumed everything was digital already because I still can't even imagine how a PBX system can route seven phone lines to service about 60 phones without ever running out of lines if there wasn't a little computer was there sorting all the ingoing and outgoing calls. But it seems now that "analog" just refers to ports and lines used for regular voice service even if the whole system is digitally controlled, and "digital" refers to a line that has the ability to give directions to the PBX itself beyond just simple phone button commands. You're going to have to correct me if I am way off base here. Therefore, I would naturally think that I can go with AA immediately with no problem on one of my analog ports, then later add a COV upgrade to support one of the various VMs you guys are discussing. But when I add the COV/VM would it have its own AA that comes with it?? Then I would just use the COV AA and disconnect and sell the analog AA right?? or are all AAs analog as far as the 50 goes, and the COV discussion just has to do with VM? I looked up the DuVoice and from a quick glance, I don't know how it actually hooks up. It says it's standalone so would it just hook up to analog port and handle everything from there or would I still have to get a COV upgrade so it can plug into a digital port. And how do you guys know I don't already have a COV card. If I pop the big cover off of the PBX brain what do I need to look for to see what I have. No matter what route I will go, I needed an AA as of yesterday and I'm definitely sold on a future VM expansion if I don't already buy it together.
Thanks again,
Jun
P.S. What does the attendant console port on the PBX look like? Will it be obvious and clearly labeled when I'm looking at it or is it in a certain location?? I'm going to take the plunge and pull the cover just to look 'under the hood' tonight and get myself acquainted..hehe..good thing my internet doesn't have anything to do with the PBX or else I wouldn't be able to run here for help. I'll let you guys know how it goes...I remember someone saying all solid green lights is good and I remember someone else saying never work on a system on Friday...don't worry, I'm mostly just looking. Wish me luck.
Ok, Last is first. The attendant console connection is a modular jack on the right edge of the Main Backplane circuit board. All the circuit boards you see the edge of when you take the cover off, plug into the Main backplane circuit board. The real name for the main backplane circuit board is "Master Control Card" or "MCC" for short. For further reference, it is effectively flat against the wall. There are 2 different models, but we don't need to discuss that for now. On the right edge of the "MCC" you'll see a blinking single character LED, that may have only a single period ".", or more displayed, as well as a modular jack that is for the console and ONLY the console. You might consider recording what is blinking on the display for future reference, since it is a 'heartbeat' indicator and we can tell a lot from what is displayed, SOMETIMES.
To remove the cover, unlock the lock on the bottom, if it is locked, and it may not be. Then swing the bottom out 2-3 inches, lift straight up 2-3 inches and then pull straight off the front. If it won't swing out, it's locked, find the key which you hopefully have or it may be hanging next to the phone system. It looks for all the world like a gas cap key and actually is the same blank as 1 type! No key, holler. Someone here may be able and willing to provide 1. Whoo, out of breath, maybe someone else wants to offer some more insight on AA and VM and COV and.... John C (Not Garand)
Let's start with the basics. In SX-50 land, you can install a 2-port Auto Attendant on an analog line if you have the ports available. One of the least expensive devices is the Call Managment Products CMP Call-Extend box. It finds its way into many a smaller property because Mr. Patel insists on buying it. It's relatively inexpensive, about 1/4 the price of the COV voice mail sytsems we're talking about and you already know why you would want one.
You could buy a Panasonic 2-port VM/AA for about the same money, but that's also another thread.
https://www.callmanagementproducts.com/prod03.htm gets you to the product.
The reason for using COV extensions in an SX-50 is because Mitels aren't very smart when it comes to handling calls. In a perfect world, your call is answered by the AA, transferred to a room and if the room answers, the AA hangs up.
What if the room is empty? Now the AA answers, transfers the call to VM and the caller can leave a message. If you use an analog voice mail, the system would have had to stay with the call the entire time, because analog integration is very poor in an SX-50.
With COV, the AA gets the call, sends it to a room, and hangs up. Thirty-six seconds later, that no answer call can ring a different port and it will know that this is a recall from NoAns condition and play the appropriate message.
The holding time of the ports is just what it takes to get the information, or record the message, or retrieve the message. It spends no time listening to ringback tones or waiting for the called party to answer.
As long as you're going to keep the SX-50, there are at least 2 companies that make a COV voice mail system. The COVoice claims to be the "licensed" vendor of the COV Mitel integration and it's the higher priced of the two systems. If you add PMS, it will cost you more that what you expected. It only comes new in 4-port increments, and when you get to a system of this price, it's both AA and VM. When your PMS send a code to clear the room, it does exactly that; all messages are erased, and there is no oops key.
https://www.vsrusa.com/html/hospitality_sollutions.html gets you there.
The second COV is made by a company called DuVoice. It's probably the one you were quoted before as it is a little less expensive than the COVoice. They also have a PMS interface and are located here
https://www.duvoice.com/documents/brochures/ss_dv2000-dv4_hospitality.pdf Since none of these companies are fond of you buying direct, and you don't know a whole lot about the integration, it would be a lot simpler to use the Locate an installer tab above and make someone else do it. Yes, you'll put some bills in his pocket, but you'll also end up with
someone who understands your system and makes it work.
Just my .04 worth.
Carl
I have installed several Call Extends made by CMP. I have found them easy to use and to program. There is a tweak that needs to be done if they are used with certain Mitel switches, although I have never used those in combination. I believe it has to do with the flash/recall timing. They are very interesting little boxes.
OMG! Maybe it's time to call a technician in for this person that is versed in Mitel! Whaddaya think?
WT, we're just trying to send the lady down the real path, rather than the primrose path. But, your point is valid now. June, you should be knowledgeable enough now that you won't get taken. Another AA is made by a co. called EZ, and they make a slick little-known VM, that works with SX50. And re the PMS, keep in mind that the SX50 is NOT fully compatible with PMS systems. Rooms can not be shut down by the PMS, there is no provision. John C. (Not Garand)
One of my friends runs a bridge players site. His name is Jun Chen.
Carl
OOOOOK, Carl. (Hmmmm) Jun, click on the "Installer" tab up at the top and ask for Mitel techs in your area. Generally, only 'Good Guys' hang around on this site. John C. (Not Garand)