atcomsystems.ca/forum Forums General General Telephone & Systems Information Opinions needed

My brother has access to a Nortel system (I don't know the model yet, so far he only has the desksets, but will be getting the KSU shortly). But from the looks of the desksets, I'm guessing it's a relativitly recent system, and looks to be hardly used. The company he got it from simply vacated the building and left the system behind.

My question (and please be honest): Do you think this is a project I could tackle, given my 1A2 tinkering? I know there is little in common between the two types of systems, and am guessing the real gotcha is learning how to program the KSU. As of now I have no idea what sort of documentation will be coming with the system, I'd guess little to none.

He already has a digital phone system in place, so I could take all the equipment home and tinker/learn about it here, and do the actual install at some point down the road - probably a long way down the road.

My initial recc. to him was to pay a pro to do it, but based on other threads I've read, most companies don't like installing systems that the customer already has onsite, and I can understand why.

Just looking for opinions, will post the model later today.

Thanks
Matt

Stick to your initial recommendation. In a case like that, I don't think many would mind. It's when it's been bought off eBay or some other internet low-balling site that we have issues with.

With no Nortel training, you'd have a hard time figuring it out by yourself. Get the pro to install it & spend a couple of hours training you to program it.

Thanks Dave -

That makes a great deal of sense. Actually I think I may even skip the programming lessons, as I don't want to be the one who gets called when programming changes are needed. By then I'll of forgotten something, or some other thing I hadn't been trained on will come up.

Inevitably I'd probably mess something up and bring the system down, which is a position I don't want to be in.

Thanks for your post -
Matt

Going with a Pro is best advice and well worth the price. Be careful in the selection process because every Tom, Dick & Harry out there is either an Avaya or Nortel Pro.

John, John, John.....such a skeptic....

Good Luck.

Matt,

Sent you a PM. We can help you out.

Rick

Ken, :nono: :nono: :nono:

Don't forget that you're "Upside Down" to the gurus that designed this great piece of technology.

It was probably designed that way so that the caller would be less likely to be "Put on Hold" too easily, thus the called party will answer their questions right then & there as they should.

That's something I never could understand. Both Avaya and Nortel are labeled as "trunk slammer favorites". I can understand Avaya, particularly Partner because it is comparatively easy, even has those CG friendly 8 position jacks for connection. But Nortel? Only reason I can see is that it is a very popular system but the difficulty in programming doesn't seem to stop the trunkers. Which is why I predict that the IPO will be the next Trunk Slammer Special.

-Hal

I'm glad to hear someone else say Norstars are not so easy program. I always thought it was a hassle. 3 digit codes to perform basic functions... really? But the telcos loved to put them in so there are a bunch of them out there and anyone servicing phone systems will run across one eventually.
Now, to topic. IF, you can find a manual and have a chance to take it home, then go for it. IF, you can figure it out tell your brother you'll install it. The wiring is easy as it gets. Chances are it will work as is, but you'll have probably have issue of lines ring/not ringing at every extension. IF, you any doubt, hire someone who can do the job with confidence.

PS I assumed it was a Norstar. What if it's a Vantage? Yikes!