Meridian Upgrade - 25.40b to Release 7

[ba7389]

This may not be the best place to post this type of question, but will give it a try.

We are consolidating two buildings, each of which is served by an Option 11C. Neither of the switches has enough TNs/ISMs to support the consolidation. Pricing to upgrade the combined switches to Release 7 is well beyond budget (more like buying new again), so I am looking at acquiring a used, but upgradeable earlier release to defer cost pain. Am willing to re-key, but would prefer to not have to replace proprietary digital sets (about 450 M3904) and would like to allow for IP sets.

Question - Are there other alternatives that I should consider?

Thanks,

Bruce

 

[Firebird Scrambler]

Release 25.xx was Nortel's official upgrade path to Succession / CS1000. Would they be willing to merge the ISM's from both 11c sites onto one new system?.

All the best

Firebird Scrambler
Meridian 1 / Succession and BCM / Norstar Programmer in the UK

http://www.linkedin.com/in/davidbromley

If it's working, then leave it alone!.

 

[ba7389]

They are willing to do so, but cost is prohibitive (at least seems that way to me). Without any additional stations, and including replacement features/cards that are not supported by Release 7, first two price quotes came in at $170K and higher. As we probably have $70K invested in mostly used equipment currently, the upgrade pricing doesn't seem practical.

Thanks,

Bruce

 

[TDMtek]

From what I read maybe you could look into finding a used 61C SG OR MG PBX, Release 5 or 5.5. Turn one of the Opt 11 cabinets into a RC or MCR.
You would be able to reuse all your M39XX sets. You didn’t state what software level the opt 11 are at. But this way you would only have to upgrade one system. Of course you would need additional hardware and a way to link the Main site with the remote site.

 

[TDMtek]

Sorry you did state the release of the opt 11's.

 

[Pir8Radio]

so you don’t have enough TN licenses on either 11 to support all 400 phones and just add the cabinets to one system?

I’m just saying, maybe as a last case scenario.... Don’t everyone beat me up for this.. But if you didn’t have the money and HAD to put these two systems in one building, couldn’t you just link the two systems with a few TIE PRI's and crossover cables, and treat it just like you have been... just in one building? The bright side would be some kind of redundancy because it’s still two different systems.

 

[johnpoole]

two choices, new system or tie the two together using dsc's.. i've seen it happen and it's not as bad as you would think.. the end users will not need to know which system they are on if it's programed right

john poole
bellsouth business
columbia,sc

 

[ba7389]

The irony of this is that the way I have them networked now, most people don't realize that they are separate systems. The central site has 4-digit dialing to 4 branch offices, and each of the branches dials 8 + 4 digits to reach users on the central site switch. Still considering that option, but really hoping to be able to do it with a single system.

I have physical cabinet space to accommodate, but am short a few TNs. Going through now reducing numbers of channels on PRIs between switches, deleting unneeded digital and analog ports, etc. If one of the secondary market dealers comes up with a Release 5.5 with enough ISMs, may still have an answer.

Dealers are now telling me that Avaya/Nortel is permitting them to sell or upgrade only to Release 7, and only on the CS1000E platform. The CS1000M is no longer an option. As it's likely I'm not the only customer who has delayed upgrades, Nortel appears to have found a way to force compliance and generate revenue. Not knowing what the future of the combined companies holds, am really reluctant to invest anymore in this legacy equipment.

Thanks for all suggestions, and let me know if any other ideas surface.

 

[guycable2]

I would shop a little bit for the upgrade. We recently discovered a very good discount from Avaya on a migration from Option 11 to CS1000E Release 7. Combining two Option 11s like you would like to do. We only had around 150 ISMs but it came out around 50k.

I would bet you could get closer to your budget if bought some of the necessary cards on the secondary market too. Some vendors will work with you on that.