atcomsystems.ca/forum Forums TDM Business Telephone Systems Mitel Telephones & Systems Mitel SX-200 EL/ML Migration

Well, just to be clear. I sincerely apologize to anyone that was offended.
Months of lurking before joining has made me well aware of the amount and quality of help available here.

Thanks.

OK, we STILL need to know the Make and model of system(s) you are trying to integrate, and why, if you think it may be of help. John C.

Let me jump in here and mediate

KLGIT you have to understand that a lot of us old "phone fogeys" have spent countless hours(and I do mean so many you can't count them - approaching bailout bill status) being derided by IT types. We have untold hours being patient with "computer whizzes" at PMS (Property Management Systems) companies trying all manner of things they suggest because their egos will not let them listen to a lowly "phone tech" (who knew how to solve the problem in five minutes). Most of the phone guys on here have a knowledge of computers and networking that is well above average - most of it learned by the seat of their pants - asking questions, listening and observing - and then by trial and error. Trial and error because we have had to figure out ways to make things work when the computer whizzes would just sit and scratch their heads.

We have also watched as customers (especially hotels) have had priests come in to bless their computer systems that are encased in environmentally sterile glass boxes) and then still pay thousands of dollars for someone to fix it while we walk into phone rooms to see lamps, tables, and all other kinds of detritus piled so close to the phone system that there is no air circulation in a room that is hotter than Iraq in August with the customer leaning over our shoulder saying, "I can't believe you guys can't keep this thing running - it's just a phone system."

In other words even though most phone systems these days are very sophisticated us "phone techs" are treated like GWB by Hollywood and the media."

That being said the people here (probably just like you) think it's "cool' to figure things out and get them working - especially when the manufacturer tells you can't do it" and they like to share that knowledge. (I hope that you will do the same on the networking and computer side of this forum).

I have found people on the Sundance Forums to be incredibly patient with any questions I have had - even ones that turned out to be very basic. I have had people be incredibly generous with their time - even offering to take a system home with them so they could upload a file and print it out for me when I was in a bind. And whenever I have figured something out I have tried to make sure I come back and share that information with everyone else.

So FLGIT I am glad you are here and keep asking question if you have them, but cut us "good ole boys" some slack if we get a little testy sometimes. It might be that we are a little "backed up" by the Opossum stew and collard greens we had the night before and well be in better humor when we get "reg'lar" again.

"OK, we STILL need to know the Make and model of system(s) you are trying to integrate, and why, if you think it may be of help. John C."

Sorry to be repititious but...... John C.

Yeah - sorry I got sidetracked

Hey, sometimes the 'side-track' is the only way to 'get there'. John C.

Dane,

As a "phone tech" for the past 40 years, I can say you hit the nail on the head. I just came from a client that is a 250 room hotel with an IBM PMS running Opera and a Mitel SX-200 EL 6 bay system. The IBM system is in a really cool looking stainless steel and glass enclosure, located in one of the most climate controlled rooms I have ever seen with absolutely sterile conditions. They pay a computer whiz more than I make a year to "resolve" their problems with that system.

The lowly Mitel is located in the basement, directly adjacent to an old elevator control room where, occasionally, one can hear arcing and relay chatter. The "phone room" is also the Video on Demand room (the big blue box containing the porn), the cable TV amplifier and distribution room, the cable company's "head-end" with two racks of channel modulators, the whiz-bang "DSL" to every room internet solution, the graveyard for all things broken....AND....all this is contained in a 10' by 10' room. The heat in that room, even with an air conditioner running 24/7 is enough to cause heat stroke in a human.

The IBM is constantly "down." Waiting several days for a fix is "OK." Interfacing with the Mitel is a series of interface boxes and "devices" so the IBM can accept data from the Mitel.

The Mitel is on a UPS. The maintenance people like to use the UPS to run their saws, drills and sewer cleaning equipment. It is absolutely unacceptable for the Mitel to be down for more than a minute. Does ANYONE know what a circular saw does to the electrical circuits?

Between having to figure out how to keep the metal cabinets of the Mitel from melting and peeling layers of old metal lamps, bare electrical wire surplus and endless mop heads, broken broom handles, etc. from off the MDF, I probably spend 20 minutes a week on the Mitel. It just keeps running.

My point is that there is a "class distinction" between the pampered and revered IT people and telephone crafts people which is totally ridiculous. The fact is all modern telephone systems are single purpose computer systems. The people that complain that telco people are less than forthcoming with "information" should look to their own house. Have any of you ever tried to get a port opened up on a client's network from the IT person? I'd rather hang 1,000' of bridle wire and install 500 42a blocks that have to deal with these prima donnas. How about getting information on passwords on a network? Yet, they are "offended" when we hesitate to allow them installer access into the equipment that we must maintain and keep working "no matter what."

I get it that companies today are cutting back. The interesting thing is that the most critical equipment of ANY company is the phone system and most companies treat the phone equipment, which is probably the most reliable of the office equipment, worse than the garbage.

I propose a solution. Open a forum topic and moderate it with experienced network IT types and allow the telco people to ask all kinds of questions like the IT types ask of us. What do you think will happen?

Rcaman

Rcaman

Appluase, Applause!!!!! That said, your Great idea probably would flop. Us phone types are so used to having to dig it out for ourselves, and/or getting a ration of ---- from the IT folks, we'd ignore the forum topic. But, it's STILL a good idea! John C.