We currenly have a digital centrex phone system with Nortel Meridian
phone.  Mine, for example, is model M5316.  Basically, we pay AT&T a
monthly fee to provide us with a bunch of services (voice mail, etc)
and 2 direct dial numbers for each phone.

We'd like to move to an internal phone system where we only pay for a
few outside lines, everyone has extension numbers, and we can add as
many internal phones and extensions as we like.  I'd like to use our
existing phones.  Is this possible?  Is there a box or something we
can get that would work with this?

I'd like to use our existing phones if possible.

---

Request for Question Clarification by crabcakes-ga on 14 Nov 2002 21:27 PST

davious,
I think I may have an answer for you, but I need to know a few extra
bits of information. Depending on your clarification, it may be
possible to use your Meridian phones, but if not, would you be willing
to trade/sell them for newer phones?
Which Centrex Digital Phone system are you currently using? Does it
have the ability to have voice mail and other services now?

How many actual phones do you want to end up having (With the
potential for gorwth understood) . Do you want it to be scalable?

How many internal numbers would you like to have, more than 100? How
many employees?

Where is your geographical location? In the US? In which zip code?

What would be your price range?

Would you be able to set up a simple system yourself, or would you
require someone to come in and set it up?

How many  incoming lines (CO lines) do you have currently entering the
building from the outside?

If you give me more information to go on, I may have your solution!

Regards,
crabcakes

---

Clarification of Question by davious-ga on 15 Nov 2002 09:50 PST

Thanks for the response.  I'd rather be able to use the existing
phones, but failing that trading them, selling them, or writing them
off are the only remaining options.

We currently have around 10 phones, each one has a number of services
provided by AT&T including 2 direct dial numbers, voicemail, call
forwarding, call conferencing, etc.

We're located in Vancouver, Canada (west coast).  

The issue is a lot of our staff right now don't use the phone all that
much, so they don't need the dedicated direct dial lines.  We'd like
to have say 10 incoming lines and be able to add more phone internally
without adding additional monthly cost.  I realize this would mean
everyone would have extension numbers instead of direct dial numbers.

We'd probably want someone to install it.  What I really need to know
is if it's possible to use the phones with an internal system instead
of AT&T or a digital centrex provider.  If there was say a box I could
buy that would support these phones then just knowing the name of it
would help so I could ask local providers about it.  So far, I haven't
been able to find anything like this yet, though.

Hello davious,

Thank you for the additional information. 

According  NATG, located in B.C., Canada, most phone systems use their
own proprietary phones, and don’t work well “mixing & matching” . This
will mean comparing the cost of a new Norstar system, using your
existing phones, with another system and new phones. This site also
provides good tips for selecting a phone system.
 http://www.natgtelecom.com/home.html

NATG’s home page 
http://www.natgtelecom.com/Buying%20Tips.htm

NATG’s Yellow Pages Ad 
http://www.yellowpages.ca/searchCustomer.do?type=DISPAD&listingId=578893&len=10&cityId=VANCOUVE&provinceId=BC&categoryId=01294125&city=Vancouver&categoryName=Telephone+Equipment+%26+Systems&categorySym=phone+systems


Once you purchase or lease a new phone system, you will need to pay
your local phone company only for the number of CO lines to your
building. Consider a service contract from the installation company
that covers not only the system, but the phones (If new ones are
purchased), the inside phone lines and jacks.

Here is a list of phone systems that meet your needs:

1)Toshiba
“The Strata DK14 provides capacity for up to 4 CO lines, 8 digital
telephones, and 2 analog station ports for faxes, voice mail, etc. The
Strata DK40i (This one sounds likely for your needs) provides capacity
for up to 12 CO lines and 28 telephones including many combinations of
digital and analog stations. Configuration flexibility allows a
variety of combinations of CO lines, telephones, and peripheral
devices to be connected to your system.” (I have sent out e-mails
about the compatibility of this system with your phones-just in case,
and will post the response if and when I receive it!)
http://www.toshiba.com/taistsd/pages/prd_dk1440i.html

http://www.toshiba-phones.com/strata_dk14.htm


2) Panasonic KX-TA1232,  now on sale for $1,159.95 “The KX-TA1232 is
an advanced hybrid system. It is initially configured with 8 telephone
lines and 16 telephone stations. It can grow to 12 lines and 32
stations with the addition of expansion modules”. It has caller ID,
voice mail, auto-attendant, and a door opener feature (Works like an
intercom entry). This system even connects to a serial printer  or a
PC, to record calls! (I have e-mailed them to see if this system
supports your present phones, as it is not clear from their website.)
This system will also block users from making unauthorized
http://www.panasonictelephonesystems.com/Info/KX_TA1232.htm?SID=8W96H1FTPP638NUA9GLRSENGLQB6CK7E&PID=1202

http://www.ablecomm.com/KX-TA1232.htm

http://www.orlandodigital.com/systems/TA1232.asp

Panasonic Pricing
http://www.panasonictelephonesystems.com/Catalog/Model_KX-TA1232.htm?SID=8W96H1FTPP638NUA9GLRSENGLQB6CK7E&PID=1202

3)NEC Electra “The Electra Elite 48 is the ideal choice for an initial
key telephone system.  As your needs grow, the system can easily
migrate to an Electra Elite 192 for a total of 192 ports, while almost
all your existing hardware and phones remain in place.” IT appears you
will need to use proprietary phones with this system. This system does
have voice mail, caller ID, Voice over Internet Protocol Trunks (VoIP)
and more.
http://www.pjpdata.com/phones/electra48.htm

http://www.natgtelecom.com/NEC_Electra_Elite_Key_Telephone_Equipment.html


4) Nortel Compact 3x8 – Will probably work with your present phones,
but supports only 8 phones.

http://www.nortelnetworks.com/products/01/norstar/systems/3x8.html

http://www.natgtelecom.com/Norstar_KSU%27s.htm

5) Norstar Compact ICS , the next step up, handles up to 4 incoming
lines (CO lines) and 16 stations (phones). IT has paging, music on
hold, voice mail, and toll restrictions.
http://www.telephonemagic.com/meridian_norstar_cics.htm

6) TalkSwitch 48-NLS, $1,395 , features 4-16 incoming lines, and 8-32
extensions, with voicemail.
http://www.talkswitch.com/
Features of Talk Switch:
http://www.talkswitch.com/pbx_feature/talkswitch.html

Phone System Installers in Vancouver:

Santel Communications installs phone systems, including Nortel
Systems.
http://www.yellowpages.ca/searchCustomer.do?type=DISPAD&listingId=683029&len=10&cityId=VANCOUVE&provinceId=BC&categoryId=01294125&city=Vancouver&categoryName=Telephone+Equipment+%26+Systems&categorySym=phone+systems

Algo Communications:
http://www.yellowpages.ca/searchCustomer.do?type=DISPAD&listingId=70994&len=10&cityId=VANCOUVE&provinceId=BC&categoryId=01294125&city=Vancouver&categoryName=Telephone+Equipment+%26+Systems&categorySym=phone+systems

devious, I hope my answer has helped you in choosing a new phone
system. In researching your answer, I came across some small console
type phone systems, that were a bit less expensive, and certainly
easier to install. However, once I realized they seemed inadequate for
your needs, I no longer researched them. If you have a receptionist
who can answer and direct calls, the console type phone system may
work for you.I beleive they will limit the number of phones you can
have. Let me know and I will add the information on console systems.If
you feel the above systems are not what you were looking for, please
notify me via the Answer Clarification process. This will allow me to
further research your question, before you rate the answer.

Regards,
crabcakes

---

Request for Answer Clarification by davious-ga on 18 Nov 2002 11:31 PST

Thanks for all the info.  So, just to clarify, which systems will work
with my existing phones?  We have two types: a Nortel M5316 and a
Nortel M5208.

---

Clarification of Answer by crabcakes-ga on 18 Nov 2002 13:59 PST

davious,

Thank you for your clarification. I was hoping to get a response to
several e-mails about your phones and compatibility with other phone
systems, but alas, I have received nothing yet.

I did call two different Nortel/Meridian systems dealers today, and
I’m afraid I have bad news, and both reps I spoke to confirmed the sad
facts. Your phones, the Nortel  M5316 and a  Nortel M5208 are meant to
be used with incredibly large systems, such as a hospital or very
large business, and that the phone system for those phones runs into
the many thousands of dollars. Both of the reps I spoke to wanted to
know where you got those phones! I was told that your current phones
would NOT be compatible with a smaller phone system, such as the one
you’d like to use. The line of phones that are compatible with smaller
Nortel phone systems would be the 7000 series phones, I was told.

So, now your choices are: 
1)	Keep your phones and purchase a huge phone system
2)	Purchase a smaller phone system, and its accompanying phones
3)	Stay with the method you are currently using.

It seems like your most cost effective way would be to purchase a
smaller system, and sell your current phones. Perhaps the person who
installs your new system will know of a potential buyer. You could try
eBay as well. Sadly, your phones are selling for about $20.00(USD)
today on eBay
http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?cgiurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcgi.ebay.com%2Fws%2F&MfcISAPICommand=GetResult&query=m5316&categoryid=&ht=1&category4=28051&SortProperty=MetaEndSort&BasicSearch=&from=R2&catref=C3

and $40.00(USD)
http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?cgiurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcgi.ebay.com%2Fws%2F&MfcISAPICommand=GetResult&query=m5208&categoryid=&ht=1&category3=28041&SortProperty=MetaEndSort&BasicSearch=&from=R2&catref=C3

eBay also is selling a Norstar system , starting bid is $3,300 (USD)
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2071643026

This system was recommended by Ken (one of the reps with whom I spoke)
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2072849392


These are the two businesses with whom I spoke today:

BusinessPhonesDirect.Com 2453 Lewis Avenue Signal Hill, CA 90755
PHONE:(866)777-7466 FAX:(562) 424-5620 . Spoke with Chris.
 http://www.businessphonesdirect.com/specials.html

Nortel MICS – spoke with Ken
http://www.wiertel.com/nortmics.html


I also came across this telecommunications company in your area:
dba TELECOM 
“SmarTalk NRG phones from dba Telecom (Vancouver, BC, Canada —
800-663-4476) can be used alone or as part of a system with up to ten
phones to take full advantage of its features. These wall-mountable,
three-line phones boast one-touch call forwarding, transfer,
conference calling, voicemail retrieval, and caller ID display. They
also have a large digital readout to easily program speed dial, toll
restriction, and distinctive ring, and to manage a list of up to 40 of
the last incoming and outgoing calls. “ This was all that was listed
on this site (At the bottom of the page), but perhaps you could give
them a call.
http://www.cconvergence.com/article/TCM20000508S0080/2
Another interesting small business phone system is the Siemen’s
Gigaset.  It supports s 2 incoming lines and  has 8 mobile extensions.
http://www.commweb.com/article/COM20020329S0002


I hope this has helped you in your decision to purchase a new phone
system. I certainly understand your wish to use your existing phones,
and if I were in your shoes, I would try to do the same. I was hoping
to find a Norstar/Meridian system for you, thinking that your current
phones would be compatible, and am disapointed to learn they are not.

By looking at the picture of the CICS system on eBay and viewing the
sites I have provided, you can get an idea of what is available and
the costs involved. If and when I get an e-mail response from the
sites I wrote to, I will post them. In the meantime, if you need more
clarification, please don’t hesitate to ask!

Regards,
crabcakes

---

Clarification of Answer by crabcakes-ga on 19 Nov 2002 08:00 PST

darious,
Thank you for the stars and the bonus! I was kicking myself while
composing your clarification, for not having made the phone calls in
the first place, instead of sending e-mails. Then I remembered, I
answered your question at 11PM! By the way, of 3 sent e-mails asking
about your phone compatibility issue, none have been answered!
I wish you luck with your new communications system!
~ crabcakes

---

Clarification of Answer by crabcakes-ga on 19 Nov 2002 11:27 PST

Hello again, davious !
 
I just got a response from one of my e-mails, confirming what we
already knew(This is in response to the Panasonic system in the first
part of my answer):

No  you can't use Nortel phones on Panasonic 1232 systems.  As far as
I know
the M5316 will only work on the Option series of systems from Nortel.
Although we do sell some parts, I wouldn't be able to configure a
system for
you.

Sorry.


------------------------------------------------------------
Florin Pal
TWAcomm.com, Inc.
Oceanview Promenade
101 Main Street, 3RD Floor
Huntington Beach, CA 92648
V: 877-892-2666 x230
F: 714-960-8095
E-Mail FlorinP@TWAcomm.com
Immediate Ordering #: 877-TWAcomm / 877-892-2666

Just wanted to let you know of the response!
~ crabcakes

Saved me lots of research time, thanks!