By Viper Communications
Avaya has announced that they will be releasing a new versions(7.0) of the IP 500V2 at the end of March. This new version has many new changes, most notably the ability to use Norstar phones on the IP office. The following modules are being introduced to work on the IP Office:
New Hardware:
TCM-88– Digital Station Base card. Plugs into the control unit, up to 4 can be used. Similar to the Digital 8 Base board that supports Avaya sets
DS16A– Expansion Units that supports 16 Digital Nortel sets (similar to DS16)
DS30A– Expansion Unit that supports 30 Digital Nortel Sets (similar to DS30)
These modules support the Norstar T7000 and M7000 series telephones and expansion modules. They also support the cordless T7406E as well as Digital Mobility Solution and the Norstar Digital Conferencing Unit. Please note this unit support Norstar series phones, not Meridian phones, like M2616 or M3904.
New Telephones available with Release 7
New IP Telephones
9608 – 4 interactive softkey buttons to provide up to 24 programmable buttons on screen
9621G – color touch-screen display. 10 “touch” buttons emulated a total of 24 buttons on screen
9641G – color touch-screen display a little bit bigger than the 9621G
BM12 – 12 button DSS that can emulate 36 buttons, max 3 modules can be added to 9608 and 9641G
New Digital Phones
9504 - 4 Line black and white backlit LCD Display
9508 – 3.8 Inch bland and white backlit LCD Display, full duplex speakerphone
BM12 – 12 button LCD DSS for 9500/9600
Other Notable Changes:
Quick Mode
This is basically how the Partner version comes up, simple GUI interface with 9 hyperlinks. Now you can have your IP Office MU-LAW come up in this simplified mode as well. This is recommended for 20 users or less only. The system will default in this mode, which makes the system operational out of the box. All phones will have two intercom buttons, a voicemail box, and line appearances. After the system boots up, it can be easily changed to standard mode, and will remain in that mode unless you change it.
System Capacities
Quick Mode Supports up to 100 phones (Nortel or 98 Avaya digital) and 72 trunks (not simultaneously) Curiously, it is only “recommended” for 20 users or less, but you do have the option.
The ETR phone capacity has not changed, still only (18) Partner 18D telephones supported.
Embedded Voicemail – comes as a 2 port 15 hour. It is now expandable to 4 ports 20 hours, and 6 port 25 hours. Each expansion does have cost associated with it.
Editor’s Opinion
I’ll be the first to admit, I was skeptical. When Avaya first purchased Nortel, they hinted of their long term plans of Norstar phones working on Avaya IP Office systems, like one happy family. Given Nortel's history of not playing well with others, I was hesitant. I was sure there was going to be some sort limitation, similar to the Partner “mode” of IP Office. But lo and behold, Avaya has announced that Release 7 will be available at the end of March (not that behind schedule surprisingly). It seems that the Norstar phones will work like legitimate digital telephones on the IP Office. Now, of course they have their own station modules, but they work side by side with the other digital modules. I would not recommend being a “guinea pig” on the new version, but hey, you never know. We are eager to get the new modules on the test bench, and will keep you informed as to our opinion on the new version.
The purpose of these new modules is to give existing Norstar customers a migration path for future growth on the IP Office. Norstar’s ICS family was discontinued soon after Avaya purchased Nortel last year. The Nortel BCM is still a current product, but with the new integration, I question how long the product will stay available. Avaya has mentioned that they are not selling new T7316e’s to go with the IP Office, which is not a good signal. It had been rumored in the beginning that the BCM product was actually going to be the survivor of the IP products, and they were just going to re-brand the BCM as the IP Office. That does not seem to be the case, as the Avaya manager, although it has gone through some changes, does still seem to be the interface that will be used moving forward. It had been rumored that the Element Manger interface was found to be superior, but for whatever reason, it does not seem like Avaya adopted this interface.
I think that the “Quick Mode” of the IP Office is actually the most exciting announcement of the Release 7. It has the simplicity of the Partner Mode, without the limitations. Now you can have a less experienced technician set up the majority of the phone system without going through the more confusing standard mode. When it’s time to set up an IP Extension, switch modes, program, and switch back. I can see how this ease of programming will appeal to a wide variety of customers familiar with the ACS/ICS family. I’m always a bit hesitant how a product will work until I see it in action, but this is very promising for small/medium installers. It will make installing IP Office's a lot less intimidating. I’m really looking forward to it. I think this change will almost eliminate the need for the Partner versions, unless you are re-using Partner telephones. And even in that scenario, you are still limited to the 18 Partner telephones.
Although the new release is scheduled for the last week of March, we are already seeing that the new Norstar compatible modules will not be available until April. Based on past experience, I wouldn’t expect to see this product until at least May. As always, we will keep you up to date with the availability.
Stay tuned…….
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