+ a bunch on all points. Our Shoretel system was initially purchased from CDW about 3 years ago. CDW had to call someone in from out of State to run the install, which went well enough, but in the aftermath we wanted some support and at the time CDW didn't have anyone local, and we were not very pleased. I suspect that has changed, but can't say because we switched vendors.
Switching vendors was a *MAJOR* pain - I was not involved in the negotiations, and I'm glad. Initial purchase was by the second IT manager of my tenure here. Switch to new vendor was by third IT manager in my tenure here. Now fourth IT manager is threatening to move us back to CDW. So, who did we switch to from CDW? NCA, who have been just fine in their support. However, current/fourth IT manager is a CDW bigot. I don't care too much, except that I'd like to be sure that CDW actually has staff on the ground here, rather than needing to fly someone in if we need on-site support (not likely to need it, as the Shoretel kit has been very good, but it's what I'd like.) Sigh. So it goes... Kurt On Wed, Nov 9, 2011 at 10:54, Matthew W. Ross <[email protected]> wrote: >> I would be interested in hearing of any licensing gotchas or things to be >> aware of. > > One license "gotcha" we just recently experienced: We have a user who uses > their "Personal" license. This gives the users an extension, mailbox, etc... > But this user wanted a feature which was only available to the "Workgroup > Agent" license. (What the user wanted to do was to sign in/out of the > workgroup remotely, which apparently a "personal" license can't do.) What we > found out is that we can't upgrade the license, nor can we get a refund. If > we choose to do this, we just have to purchase the additional license (at > over $200). > >> Which vendors switches are you using? > > Shoretel makes you choose and stick to a vendor. I am unable to purchase > additional licenses/phones/switches from a different vendor without > completely transferring my vendor. We are using NCA (http://www.ncanet.com/) > and we have had "good to excellent" support from them for over 10 years. We > briefly looked into other vendors in our area. > > If your question is more of a "which hardware switches do you use": A mix of > the Shoretel 120s (IP phone capable or 24 analog lines) and the Shoretel 24As > (Cheaper, 24 analog extension only switch). Oh, and a Shoretel T1 for our PRI. > >> I'm not as involved in the financial side of this, I'm coming at this more >> from the technical side (I currently have zero knowledge of phone systems >> but obvious once you move from a monolithic analogue system to an IP system >> it starts to merge with network/server stuff). > > I'm not really a phone guy. My predecessor was a phone guy. He is the one who > got the school to move to Shoretel, and I thank him for it every time I use > it. While now there are good, useable alternatives, it's worth looking into > other solutions. But I have been extremely happy with this product. > > > --Matt Ross > Ephrata School District > > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: Paul Hutchings > [mailto:[email protected]] > To: NT System Admin Issues > [mailto:[email protected]] > Sent: Wed, 09 Nov 2011 > 09:51:16 -0800 > Subject: RE: ShoreTel > > >> Thanks Matt that helps and awful lot as it's the nitty gritty that tends to >> get overlooked. >> >> I would be interested in hearing of any licensing gotchas or things to be >> aware of. >> >> Which vendors switches are you using? >> >> I'm not as involved in the financial side of this, I'm coming at this more >> from the technical side (I currently have zero knowledge of phone systems >> but obvious once you move from a monolithic analogue system to an IP system >> it starts to merge with network/server stuff). >> >> Thanks again, >> Paul >> ________________________________________ >> From: Matthew W. Ross [[email protected]] >> Sent: 09 November 2011 4:48 PM >> To: NT System Admin Issues >> Subject: Re: ShoreTel >> >> Shoretel is the the phone system we're using. >> >> Pros: >> >> * Very easy to use. >> * Works great for windows environments. >> * Has good support for mass deployment of analog phones (which some do not, >> and we use a lot of). >> * Can be used as your intercom (Using IP phones). >> * Support has been good for us. >> * Outlook integration (We don't use this, but it's there.) >> >> Cons: >> >> * Windows Centric (There is now a web based client which is a big >> improvement in this front). >> * Serious product lock-in: >> ** Their switches will only work with Shoretel. >> ** Their IP phones will only work with Shoretel. >> ** They license you per extension, and those licenses cannot be >> refunded/transferred. >> ** SIP phones do work, for an additional fee. >> * "Optional" support is not so optional. It is also primarily through your >> vendor, not Shoretel. >> * Not cheap. >> >> I hope this helps. >> >> >> --Matt Ross >> Ephrata School District >> >> >> ----- Original Message ----- >> From: Paul Hutchings >> [mailto:[email protected]] >> To: NT System Admin Issues >> [mailto:[email protected]] >> Sent: Wed, 09 Nov 2011 >> 07:14:01 -0800 >> Subject: ShoreTel >> >> >> > Anyone here using Shoretel for their phone system? >> > >> > From what we've seen so far we're confident they're a good fit both in >> terms >> > of features and architecture, and (most importantly IMO) the client >> software >> > appears to be pretty good to use. >> > >> > Any tales (on or off list) of how they have performed would be >> appreciated. >> > >> > Thanks, >> > Paul >> > >> > -- >> > MIRA Ltd >> > >> > Watling Street, Nuneaton, Warwickshire, CV10 0TU, England >> > Registered in England and Wales No. 402570 >> > VAT Registration GB 100 1464 84 >> > >> > The contents of this e-mail are confidential and are solely for the use of >> > the intended recipient. 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