atcomsystems.ca/forum Forums TDM Business Telephone Systems NEC Telephones & Systems NEC Aspire

We are getting quotes for the NEC Aspire system for our new building and the NEC Aspire price is only 60% of the price of the other systems (NEC Neax 2000, another one from Intertel and 3Com).

Why is the Aspire so much cheaper? Btw, we are getting a quote for a phone system with around 50 phones.

The Aspire is a key system, w/ key system limitations. Which these days usually is just related to growth. Key systems have pretty much the sames features as a PBX & sometimes more.
The NEC 2000 IPS is a PBX & you pay for that.
Intertel(a key system) has always been pricey.
3Com has its moments where it is useful, but you are buying the name. I, of couse love the NEC 2000 IPS. I use the IP funtions of the NEC & get great reviews & results. These are, of course, just opinions.

Hmm. What are the key system limitations you are referring to? In terms of growth, our vendor said the system can grow up to 256 phones and that's MORE than enough for our needs. Right now we are looking at a new system because we maxed out our 32 phone capacity!

The Aspire system is really not a Key system it is a Hybrid and as a Hybrid it can be programmed to emulate a PBX or it can be a key system or it can be both.

The Aspire is also IP capable and there is talk of expanding past the 256 station limit in 1st Qtr 2005.

In fact The Aspire is manufactured by NEC Infrontia who is also manufacturing the NEC Elite IPK series.

Having worked on both systems I will tell you that the software is far more capable than the Elite. And as such it can be configured to do many things.


DJ

How's the ease of administration on this unit and is it reliable?

Administration is quite easy as you can program from the desktop via the ethernet port built into the CPU.

As far as reliability I have sold several systems and no return service calls.

DJ

Is there anywhere to get tech manuals on the Aspire? I'm interested in learning more about it. Like the good Dr., I am a big fan of the 2000; I also do a lot of work with IPK's and do both IP and CCIS networking with both. I've actually taught both for years as a contractor for NEC. I am mainly a consultant/freelance project manager who works for NEC dealers; we're considering partnering with a Reseller and would have the ability to sell the Aspire as well as the IPS and IPK. The sales guys I know from the various dealers claim they get killed by the Aspire vs. IPK price comparison. I'd like to know a little bit more about the tech side of the switch.

If you are serious about selling the Aspire systems contact NEC and get the Sales manager for your areas number and contact them directly.


DJ

I have substantial experience with the Aspíre and like it a lot. It is registered as all three types of system: PBX, Hybrid and Key System. Although it can technically provide 256 hard-wired extensions, it could do so only if the system didn't need any trunks.

Jim

I saw this post and it interested me because my company recently tried to become an authorized Aspire dealer but were turned down due to another local company already selling it. We use Vodavi and the TA series Panasonic on the small end and sell Siemens HiPath 3000 for the larger end or if we need to quote a voIP application.
We are not competing well with the Siemens on both price and capability and are looking for something along the same line as the Aspire. It needs to have Key or Hybrid features (lots of programmable buttons, simultaneous internal/external page, flexible voice mail etc.), be able to support IP Hardphones and softphones and grow to at least 120 stations or so. That would fit about 98% of the customers in our area. Any suggestions on systems to look at? I've already inquired about the Vodavi XTS but I don't think it supports IP phones (only system to system IP). Any comments on the Intertel system?

Timbo