Upgrade from analogue phones

subbass · 1 May 2013 at 19:34

We use a mixture of analogue and digital phones on a old PBX system over ISDN30 lines. What would be next considerable step up without "breaking the bank"? VOIP? If so, is there a way to utilise some of existing digital phones as well to keep cost down?

DRZ · 2 May 2013 at 09:03

It seems unlikely unless your current system has a path to a system that will support both. I seem to recall that certain Alcatel systems can do both.

What's your budget?

#Chri5# · 2 May 2013 at 09:09

What's the PBX?

For instance, Siemens HiPath PBXs can support analogue, TDM and IP phones - it all depends on what cards are installed as to what capacities of each type it can support.

What is driving the need to upgrade?

subbass · 2 May 2013 at 22:39

DRZ said:
It seems unlikely unless your current system has a path to a system that will support both. I seem to recall that certain Alcatel systems can do both.

What's your budget?

I'm just thinking ahead and getting ideas what's out there on the market. So no firm budget at the moment but knowing the owners of the co. it will be little as possible

In due course, I'll probably get a consultant in to discuss options, demos from telecoms/voip companies etc of course.

#Chri5# said:
What's the PBX?

For instance, Siemens HiPath PBXs can support analogue, TDM and IP phones - it all depends on what cards are installed as to what capacities of each type it can support.

What is driving the need to upgrade?

It's actually a Siemens HiPath but I don't know the specific model no. Reason for upgrade is that it's very old and running at maximum capacity so no room for expansion.

Upgrading to a more "modern" PBX will be nice so it being on the LAN with integration to CRM's will be needed.

#Chri5# · 3 May 2013 at 08:31

It's not my specialist area but I know you can upgrade the motherboard in HiPaths to support the different software version (v4, v5, v6 etc). An HG1500 card will support IP phones and CTI services. You can also upgrade the chassis (within reason) and keep the investment you already have in cards. The other good about the HiPath is the older handsets work on the current PBXs, so upgrading doesn't mean having to buying new phones.