Looking at Shortel System

[MaxxFusion]

We are in the process of looking for a new phone system. We have an outside consultant proposing a solution to us for our needs.

We have narrowed it down to 2 phones systems. Its between the Cisco and Shortel. We are running the AT&T MPLS network already and have about 14 locations with a total of 400 phones. I have seen the demo on the Shortel and really like the system. Our consultants are telling use that if we go with Shortel then we are limited to using only Shortel phones becuase they dont support SIP and can not do any type of integration with any of our applications. They also say that there isnt a phone that will run a xml app.

Can anyone help and shed some light on this?

Thanks,
Frank

[eazeaz]

Cisco vs Shoretel

From my limited experience i have the opinion that a phone should be a phone. When you start integrating applications into the phone you had better be ready to integrate full time staff.

To me, this goes under the same category as the LG refrigerator with the touchscreen and web browser.

Our people have enough trouble figuring out how to make conference calls.

I do realize that every company is different.... just throwing in my .02 cents.
You will see by my posts though that I am no shoretel marketing person. I beat them up sometimes. I can tell you though after having sites with Cisco, 3Com and Avaya phones, that I would never want to go back.

[Forum]

If you are truly interested in Shoretel, then do your Due Diligence, and ask to get a copy of Shoretel's Roadmap. Even better yet, Have Shoretel present it to you either in person, or via webex. You will have to sign an NDA, but that's no big deal.

If you can't seem to accomplish this through the dealer you currently have (or 'consultants'), let me know, and I will arrange it for you. I feel this will answer both of your questions and more, and that you will be pleasently be surprised.

Unfortunatly, I am tied to that same NDA, so I can not just answer your questions.

either way, let us know your decision.

Charles

[MaxxFusion]

Thanks. I will do that. I have a local rep that already did a demo for me on the Shortel system and I fell in love with it. I am at a bit of a disadvantage because my boss the CFO and CEO like Cisco because of the name behind it.

[cburgy]

That is because Cisco tends to circumvent IT and go directly to the Board and CxO to try and beat Shoretel. I'd be happy to chat with you about Shoretel versus Cisco as well. In fact, we've hired a number of Cisco certified individuals who have been converted into Shoretel/Juniper/Foundry fans...

[Hula Networks]

Hula Networks view on Cisco vese Shoretel

Hello my name is Joe with Hula networks. This is a common question who is better? Cisco says they are bigger and stronger thus better. Shoretel uses its reliability, simplicity to manage, install, scale, and the powerful feature set they offer to better position themselves against Cisco. fact is Cisco cost more on all levels to purchase, install, manage, matinance and to power.

Shoretel headless system allows you to remotely manage the system from anywhere in the world that you have internet access. Thus eliminating the need for costly travel most of the time. The switches have no moving parts and no spinning memory thus they are much more reliable then Cisco's server based solution they die and become out dated. We have used both Cisco and Shoretel internally. We have deployed both Cisco and Shoretel as well. When it comes to an installation you can knock out a 400 phone site in two nights with Shoretel with just two guys. Cisco would take two weeks with 4 CCIE's and alot of headaches.

Regarding phones fact is Shoretel actually is very flexible this way. You can keep old analog phones in hose if you want. Yes they take up more resources on the switch but it works. The personal call manager is so powerful it really does not matter what phone you use because you will be using your PC to do all your dialing and call transfers.

Feel free to call me up at 650-625-4107 and let me know what I can do to help.

Best Regards,
Joe