[Asterisk-Users] IP Phone recommendations?

[Damon Estep]

Many use cisco IP phones, almost any model. Support and firmware access
has a fee.
SNOM 190 works well, free firmware, good community support.
Lots of reports of good luck with Polycom phones (IP500), but they wont
provide any support when used with * and you have to get your firmware
from the net, not from polycom, even if are willing to pay.

> -----Original Message-----
> From: asterisk-users-bounces at lists.digium.com [mailto:asterisk-users-
> bounces at lists.digium.com] On Behalf Of brian at txshirts.com
> Sent: Wednesday, December 29, 2004 8:51 AM
> To: asterisk-users at lists.digium.com
> Subject: [Asterisk-Users] IP Phone recommendations?
> 
> Hey gang,
>   I'm looking at escaping from a Nortel Meridian CISC system to
> Asterisk/Digium/SIP phones.  I'm currently in the testing and proof of
> concept phase.  I'm going to need a SIP phone and don't want to
> re-purchase and have "orphans" around.
> 
> We currently run Nortel 7310 phones and they work great.
> I'm sort of overwhelmed by all of the different IP phones.  I was
hoping
> some folks would share what they have found.
> My primary goal is to replicate the 7310's features and to allow room
> for growth in the future with telephony applications.
> 
> Our primary driver is configurability and features that we can get in
> Asterisk, that we can get without a lot of money from Nortel.
> 
> Namely-
> Voicemail, telecommuting workers on the pbx, better call handling,
> better automation.
> I'd like to be able to integrate smart features like directory and
call
> handling to the handset, but I'll freely admit I'm just starting out.
> My initial goal is to just to get onto Asterisk and get it working.
> I'll worry about cool stuff later.
> 
> Our integration and migration plan is as follows:  If anyone has some
> suggestions or pointers I'd love to hear them.
> 
> 1. Test and evaluate Asterisk with TDM400 with 1 FXO/FSO port each.
> 2. Configure Asterisk to be the primary PBX and slave the Nortel
> Meridian system to it using a second TDM400.  This avoids immediate
> replacement of all handsets.  Will allow immediate access to features
> such as Voicemail.
> 3. Overtime, upgrade desk phones to IP phones.  When all phones are
> replaced, decommission Nortel and sell on Ebay.  :)
> 
> Cold turkey option is to spend the extra $ and buy the handsets
upfront
> and just ditch nortel without a transition period.
> 
> We currently have 4 pbx lines and 1 dedicated fax/credit card line.
> We have 10 handsets.
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> Brian Greul
> Texas Shirt Company
> www.txshirts.com
> 713-802-0369 / 713-861-6261 (fax)
> 
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