So guys, do you still dislike the E-MetroTel solution? Granted I like the way both the IP Office and the UCx operate in their own respects and I have an IP Office and UCx SIP trunked together working wonderfully....I still edge more towards UCx, especially since there are no key codes to open features, etc. A single user extension cost pays for everything.
The only problem, is that if you are an Avaya guy, you aren't going to like how all the Nortel feature codes work....but if you are a Nortel guy, you'd like the UCx. I still am not knocking the IP Office though.....I just agree with you guys above, that Avaya is getting ridiculous with their fees and license structure, and their lack of regards for small businesses.
Based on my shopping observations, a local 250 store chain, Midwest Supercenter "Meijer", ditched their IP Office in their latest expansion of new stores, and have gone with some type of open source with Polycom IP Phones, their stores have over 200 analog phones and spectralink wireless for team leaders and store directors as well. I was quite shocked to see they ditched Avaya, as they were an Avaya customer since the System 75 days (except for a small experiment with ROLM 9200s in the 1990s).
In addition to Mitel, Toshiba, Shoretel, Panasonic, and Samsung, the E-MetroTel UCx is a perfect client for Class 1 communications.
Amriddle, which phones did you say Mitel is discontinuing? The 5300s? I recently purchased a Mitel+Aastra/6869i and it seems to be a pretty reliable Mitel/Aastra SIP phone.
Joseph Sus Jr. Nortel Emetrotel Consultant