atcomsystems.ca/forum Forums Other TDM Phone Systems ESI Telephones & Systems esi ivx

I have a customer(wiring only) That has an esi ivx system and they are going to be moving. I have never worked on an esi before, and their corporate office sent the system. No one around here works on them or installs them. They wanted to know if we can do it because we're local. It is a radio station and they can have zero downtime. Is there s plsce to get refurb stuff cheap so they can have the new system up and running and then just swing the lines into it. Are these things programmed from a phone or a laptop? How hard is it compared to say avaya or norstar?

Depending upon how Old the system is, You can program with a laptop, Always from a phone.

You know, something ' always ' changes when a customer Moves from one location to another(even if they say ' no changes ') So, If they need to change anything You will need the passwords. There are 2 levels of passwords , Installer and Admin.

Again, all the programming is held on the Harddrive(or with the newer systems on a Flash Drive) All the recordings, all the voicemails, Everything.

So, If you were able to find something ' cheep ' It would have to have Their programming in it.

' zero ' downtime? maybe you can set up a couple of slt phones, forward their lines? Move the system, and unforward? Just a thought.

Shawn, If I understand you correctly you are saying that if this were a Nortel CICS you wouldn't be looking for assistance. You would install the Nortel in the new location and be pre programmed on game day. If that is a correct assumption then I feel comfortable telling you that you can do this with the ESI also with assistance from an ESI tech. The ESI tech of your choosing will be due a part of the compensation. I assume the radio station is paying you or your company and the ability to say "Yes I Can" will get you the job and the ESI tech deserves a piece for making the YES possible.

Am I close?

John, you are spot on. I don't suppose yoou want to leave the sunny south for some wintery fun? It will be end of November before the move. They have looked for someone local(within 50 miles) and can't seem to locate anyone. We are dead center between Seattle and Spokane about 3 hours either way. They are hoping to avoid that travel charge.

Shawn, If you have ever installed a Nortel CICS then there is only one reason you would turn down the project of installing the ESI and that would be that you don't want to.

If you want to do it then let's get started.

If you don't want to then I'll make some calls and find the closet reliable ESI tech.

Do you have a supplier for used eq that we could hang a second cab in the new location

Of course I do, that would be me! :banana:

Let me see if I understand what you want to do?

You want to put a system in at the new location that is an exact duplicate of the system currently operating in the old location.

Then on move day there will be duplicate systems in each location?

Yes, they will then sell the extra once move is made, or if they could rent one that would be good too. We sell norstar, so CICS is no problem

First we need to know what system they have. IVX is a common part of the name in several ESI systems. There is C-Class, S-Class, E-Class, X-Class,128 and then what is referred to as Original IVX.

I can figure out what they have by talking to someone describing the systems front cover or possibly they have some documents along with it.

Here is the info the customer sent:

The system appears to be of 1998 vintage. The phone sets are ESI (Estech
Systems, Inc., Plano, TX) type "EKT-A". The system has 20 sets and 6
incoming lines.

The control unit is as follows:

ESI IVX Standard Cabinet s/n 61118110166
ESI IVX Expansion Cabinet s/n 61218100093
ESI Model AP3388 Transformer (24 v, 3 amp)

There are three (3) port cards installed, with the 4th opening covered with
a blank panel. The port cards are dated 11/2/98, 11/16/98 and 11/16/98.

The Motherboard is s/n 1710811066 and dated 11/17/98. It appears to be
marked revision "E1".

The internal Seagate ST32122A hard drive has a date code of 9820 .

No laptop programming for that one.

It is a 2pair system. All programming thru a phone.

Thanks for the detailed information on the system.

A long time and well respected board member here has brought to my attention that he has all the components you need with the exception of a power supply. I'll let him chime in and discuss any arrangements about his equipment.

Now for the bad news. That particular system does not have the capability to extract the internal custom programming. That would have to be done manually and then entered manually to the second system.

Does your customer want to invest that much 2 man tech time into a system that is into the senior years of its expected life span or is this a good time to squeeze a new system into the budget?

Well, I guess John is talking about me "A long time and well respected board member", Thanks, John!

Now for the bad news, John pretty much said it already, the system they currently have is 10 years old, it ' might ' run for another 10, But, My guess is that as soon as you power it down , it might not come up again. I do have the equipment you are talking about. But, without knowing how the current system is programmed, I don't think it will do you any good.(the equipment I have is also 10 years old)

PM me if you still think I can help you with this situation. I really do think they should also look at a NEW system.

nonameyet just an FYI you can connect to those systems with Hyper term or procom

I was thinking about that, I know you can connect, But, I Thought it was only to upload new software?

It's been a while but I know you can do programming and I think you can do a backup. i know you could do these things remotely with the modem but I cant remember if you can connect directly to the cabinet

I talked to the customer and they seem to think there system is analog and the newer systems are digital. It is a radio station and they said it is easier to transfer caller around the station with the older system. They have a newer system at another site and it tougher to get the callers on the radio. So if they could find a refurb system like theirs they would like that.

Shawn, PM sent.

They have a newer system at another site and it tougher to get the callers on the radio

Are they referring to a newer ESI system or a system of a different brand?

Yes a newer ESI system

OK, here is how it is according to a wise old man in sunny Florida.

Since in post 1 you said corporate office is providing the systems and no one knows of an ESI dealer within 100 miles that means they are getting installed and serviced by the first guy or gal that claims to know a bit or two about phones. Since one location is so happy that they want to duplicate a 10 year old system (that is headed for a dirt nap soon) and the second location is unhappy with a later version dang sure isn't because of the difference between the two systems it is simply because the happy gang had some knowledgeable service along the way.

Shawn, you might be the first phone guy on the scene that is actually smart enough to know that they are more than just phones.

The problem in the unhappy location isn't the system it is the setup. I'll bet a dollar that they don't have individual extension keys programmed and the happy location does.

Here is how you (Shawn) can score some big time points with the customer. Find out who needs help over at unhappy location and I'll work with you on how to make them happy. Then YOU can send them a bill for what I do. Then we can continue on with the possibilities of the new location.

Typical GEEKS, if the customer ain't happy blame the equipment!

Shawn, I sent you an email.


Steve C. I was able to connect to my Old IVX using procomm, as I suspected, I didn't see any way to Backup or Restore the database, I was able to use the Capture file on Procomm to get a good ' picture ' of what is on the system and the indivual keys on phones. also, I could see what version of software and which Slot it is installed on.

Shawn,

2 PM's sent

John,

Thanks for the help on this one. I moved the system today and it went great. What a neat system.

Hi I have the esi ivx 20... I am trying to change the programmable keys so that the corresponding persons' name shows up when you press it. Currently it has old names in it, how can i change that?

Welcome tta

The changing of names takes place when you enter into installer level programming. It is not proper for me to go into detail in this open format on how that is done.

It can be done easily by your installer.

Changing of names can also be done at administrator level. You don't need your installer, but you should obtain the necessary information from your reseller. You can still mess up your system with administrator programming, but not badly enough to stop it working altogether! It's best to at least have your reseller train you how to do it.

I have an esi ivx 20. We have numerous phone lines conncted to our phone and we recently disconnected one and have several others. How can I change the key to connect to the new phone line?

That is easily done in installer programming, do you have access to the installer password?

Yes I do, how would I go about doing it?

It is under function 3 in either installer or admin programming.

When I select function 3, it goes to programming the extensions and stations. Do you know how I can change the actual soft keys to assign it to a specific outgoing phone line?

If you are just looking to add a line key on a phone to an already attached and active line on the ESI system....

Go to the phone and hold down the key you want to program for 3 seconds, it will go into program mode. Type in the number of the CO line that you want to appear on that button (1,2,3,etc..) then hit the key again.

tta, Is it possible for you to call me while you are seated in front of one phone connected to that system. If yes then I can get you through this.