We have a number of very small businesses for which the IP Office hasn't been a good fit. The old Partner system was really good but IPO in Partner mode is not. Can anyone recommend a different phone system for small companies who like to see their 2 or 3 lines and all users on buttons? Hair salons, retail stores, churches, etc...Thanks in advance!
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Alternate phone system suggestions 3
- Thread starter tnestel
- Start date
smokinjoe2938
Programmer
you can still purchase partner systems just not supported by Avaya
- Thread starter
- #3
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amriddle01
Programmer
Panasonic 824s etc are aimed at the low end of things like that 
intrigrant
Systems Engineer
We use Panasonic for those customers but competition is high on that market, plenty to choose from.
tampasteve1
IS-IT--Management
It is a pretty open market for the small systems. I have used both the Transtel Lynx and the Xblue X16 systems for people swapping out small Partners and other key systems. Both are good systems for the price. We do not like that Xblue sells on Amazon too though. This is one reason we started selling the Transtel Lynx. The system is very price competitive and support is good. Both systems are limited by growth, however. They max out at 16 stations, but for the small key system they are nice, IMO.
We offer the NEC 1100 Which is a bit painful to program but solid when installed.
Joe W.
FHandw, ACSS (SME), ACIS (SME)
“This is the end of the world, make sure to buy your T-shirt before it is too late"
Original expression of my daughter
Joe W.
FHandw, ACSS (SME), ACIS (SME)
“This is the end of the world, make sure to buy your T-shirt before it is too late"
Original expression of my daughter
The NEC DSX40 is a perfect fit for you. Super easy to program, can be run in square mode, cheap voicemail option, nice phones. I install a few a year. You can get great package deals from online NEC vendors. I don't like the Panasonics as much but the KXTDA50 is a decent system. Also easy to configure.
I think the Panasonic 824 is the worst system ever put out on the planet. The Panasonic TDA50g is OK. NEC DSX40 is a real nice system but will be retired soon, it's bigger brothers the DSX80 & 160 are already officially put to sleep.
The ESI 50 prices out real cheap and is real easy to install, program and use. They have bundles that come with 8 phones and voice mail for dirt cheap. It also has some advanced features like ESI-Link (ESI's version of SCN), voice mail to email, remote IP phones etc.. if ever needed.
The ESI 50 prices out real cheap and is real easy to install, program and use. They have bundles that come with 8 phones and voice mail for dirt cheap. It also has some advanced features like ESI-Link (ESI's version of SCN), voice mail to email, remote IP phones etc.. if ever needed.
memphisribs
Vendor
Curious, Why doesn't the IP Office fit? Is it cost? or function? In the current release most of the features match the Partner. Thanks,
47 years in the business and counting.
47 years in the business and counting.
amriddle01
Programmer
Customers like that basically want a "Key system", the IP Office emulates that but not very well
- Thread starter
- #14
Thank you for all the feedback! Memphisribs, I installed one Partner mode IP Office and the customer hated it. Mostly because of one single feature - the way calls to go auto hold if you punch another button. In Partner mode you can't turn that off. I also thought it was a pain to program. And amriddle is right, regular IPO doesn't work because these very small customers really want to see their lines. When they only have a couple and are not likely to grow much, it's hard to train them away from it.
If you go to a site like and purchase a system on your own. Set it up for a small non-profit or something like that, How then do you deal with licensing?
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- #16
- Thread starter
- #17
tlpeter, I hear you, but I am trying to sell systems that the users will be happy with. When you are a small business and you have always seen your lines, it's a huge change. We're in a pretty small mid-western area, maybe people are less flexible here!
We're in a pretty small mid-western area, maybe people are less flexible here!
dialtonetek
Programmer
Hello all,
I have several sites where I have direct line appearances?
Also in Partner mode doesn't the system program just like the partner system?
Station 10 & 11, same program codes as the partner.
You can also add the Essential license to program easier.
I have several sites where I have direct line appearances?
Also in Partner mode doesn't the system program just like the partner system?
Station 10 & 11, same program codes as the partner.
You can also add the Essential license to program easier.
Not an answer to the poster's question but what is the point of having each line appear on the set? It's been my experience that when you are upgrading to an IP Office, or any system, that you just explain to the customer that there is no need with the new technology and, that, by pressing a 9 you're freeing up buttons on the phone for features that they'll actually use to make life easier instead of wasting them on useless line buttons. I also explain to them that all of our service providers send the caller id of the pilot number in the huntgroup, even on pots, so it makes no difference what line you dial out on? Just seems like a better explanation to the customer of how things work nowadays would solve the problem and eliminate the hassle of dealing with another equipment brand and the time spent learning that system.
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mikedphones
Vendor
Tnestel,
I get what you are saying about the partner mode and auto hold. I was going to think out loud here, but it may not be the best answer.
Does anyone know if he programs the system in ip full mode and unticks auto hold and changes mode if it would carry over or is it a total wash of programming?
Also, you could get creative with regular IP office mode by simply assigning line appearance buttons but would need to explain to them that they would get a double blink on incoming calls (one on the appearance key, one on the line button itself).
I am rambling, but I have to say in the end, if you can just get them to be full IPO mode and tell them the Park 1,2,and 3 are like public hold buttons that anyone can pickup just like the old line buttons, it's not that bad. I totally hear you, but we have got it down to the presentation and it's working for us selling full IPO mode.
Plus! you can add cool short codes like 101 for hunt group enable 200, 102 for hunt group enable 200 which just means that by dialing the shortcode, anyone can turn on or off their phone for incoming calls, or if they have an auto attendant, full IPO mode also gives you the ability to have a mailbox associated with a group of phones which Partner mode does not. Later on, you can offer a VPN home user, click to call email contact with tapi, remote support them and so much more.
You should buy one and just mess with it for a couple of weeks in full mode. You may be surprised how close you can come and then just polish how you present it. I learned, not to stumble in the presentation, but be more matter of fact so they don't 2nd guess you.
Lastly, as for dial 9, I prefer not to, but you could mess with that an suppress it, but it may not be 100% perfect.
I nursed the ACS for the little guys as long as I could, but I have had my fill with noisy ports, burnt tops of mods, and repaired units that still flake out on occasion. A fresh new IPO in in IPO mode is the way to go.
Hope this helps. My 2 cents.
Mike
I get what you are saying about the partner mode and auto hold. I was going to think out loud here, but it may not be the best answer.
Does anyone know if he programs the system in ip full mode and unticks auto hold and changes mode if it would carry over or is it a total wash of programming?
Also, you could get creative with regular IP office mode by simply assigning line appearance buttons but would need to explain to them that they would get a double blink on incoming calls (one on the appearance key, one on the line button itself).
I am rambling, but I have to say in the end, if you can just get them to be full IPO mode and tell them the Park 1,2,and 3 are like public hold buttons that anyone can pickup just like the old line buttons, it's not that bad. I totally hear you, but we have got it down to the presentation and it's working for us selling full IPO mode.
Plus! you can add cool short codes like 101 for hunt group enable 200, 102 for hunt group enable 200 which just means that by dialing the shortcode, anyone can turn on or off their phone for incoming calls, or if they have an auto attendant, full IPO mode also gives you the ability to have a mailbox associated with a group of phones which Partner mode does not. Later on, you can offer a VPN home user, click to call email contact with tapi, remote support them and so much more.
You should buy one and just mess with it for a couple of weeks in full mode. You may be surprised how close you can come and then just polish how you present it. I learned, not to stumble in the presentation, but be more matter of fact so they don't 2nd guess you.
Lastly, as for dial 9, I prefer not to, but you could mess with that an suppress it, but it may not be 100% perfect.
I nursed the ACS for the little guys as long as I could, but I have had my fill with noisy ports, burnt tops of mods, and repaired units that still flake out on occasion. A fresh new IPO in in IPO mode is the way to go.
Hope this helps. My 2 cents.
Mike
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