> Dealers add value by installing, programming, and maintaining the system. > I > don't mind purchasing from dealers, and paying them for the installation. > > But a system that prohibits end user programming is of NO value to me. > >
That makes absolute good sense. When someone wants to install and program their own system from the beginning, I usually recommend Avaya Partner because their manuals actually make sense. As far as Toshiba goes, I've never been able to get good help for their systems, they were much more restrictive than Panasonic as to who could even get trained on their systems. I don't know if that has changed at all, but that's the way it was a few years ago. Is Panasonic clueless? in many ways yes! the dealers will be the first to agree to that. Sometimes their actions make sense, sometimes it only makes sense from their own viewpoint. But Panasonic has designed their new TAW and TDA system software to specifically allow the end user to program it. The difficulty for some is that the initial setup of the TDA needs to be done by the "certified" installer. The TAW848 is not that way though. The software and capabilities are similar to the TDA yet there is no need for any certification. All the panasonic voicemail systems also do not need any certification to purchase or install. Once a TDA system is installed, the software can be given to the end user, but if the installer thinks there are areas the user doesn't need to access, they can be blocked and password protected. It would depend on the relationship of the installer and the user though as to what is open. If the customer doesn't like one dealer, they can find another. I've gotten a number of calls from people looking for a new dealer. Users on this list are perfectly capable of learning and installing their own systems, and probably would do better than many "cert" dealers. I wish all my customers where that capable. But such people (in my experience) are an exception rather than the rule, most users and customers, though, are not capable of understanding what it takes, and don't want to. In fact, many installers are not capable of understanding it. I get calls usually at least once a week from alarm installers and electricians who are trying to install a system but have gotten lost and given up on it. Hence there are probably hundreds of installers and dealers monitoring this list who are happy to give free professional advice, and hundreds of users who are happy to receive it, as well as return their own great comments and suggestions. Great value to all,... and to all a good night! Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and a Happy New Year. Charles _________________________________________________________________ KX-T Mailing list --- http://kxthelp.com/ Subscription changes: http://kxthelp.com/mailman/listinfo/kxt
