Inter-Tel Digital Endpoints and Asterisk - PBX Info :: Your Free PBX, PABX and Telephone Information Resource

Josh Delcore · 04-03-2006, 06:33 PM

I am new to the PBX world and was wondering if anybody could help me.

I am looking at getting a new PBX for our 20-30 person office. We currently have an old Inter-Tel Axxent (yes it is an Axxent and not an Axxess) which is maxed out at 24 lines all ending with Inter-Tel Digital Endpoints for phones.

I am looking at two options:
1) Inter-Tel CS5200 IP system. We then hire a company to come in and install everything for $10,000-$12,000.

or

2) I set up a Asterisk@home so I can learn and administer it. This would cost a few $1,000 and I would be able to fix things instead of calling our phone company and paying $125+ an hour.

My main question is, is there a way to connect Asterisk to the Inter-Tel Digital phones? Are the Inter-Tel phones not able to be used with other equipment? Do I have to buy all new phones if i go the Asterisk Route?

My second question would be has anybody worked with the CS5200 or Asterisk@home that could give some good advice?

Thanks,
-Joshua Delcore

InterTel_Guru · 05-02-2006, 06:04 PM

Inter-Tel Phones only work with Inter-Tel PBX systems.
The old style digital phones that worked with the Axxent do not work with the CS-5000 system. If you still have an Axxent, throw it in the trash can and buy a CS-5000 system -you wont be disapointed!

--denwa.uk.com-- Inter-Tel Experts UK!!

**rixride** · 06-09-2006, 01:58 PM

Or Ebay / Craigs List to sell your equipment would be good options too.

JCP2000 · 07-07-2006, 03:08 PM

While you can't put your Inter-Tel Digital Telephones on a Asterisk, YOU CAN connect Inter-Tel 86XX IP Telephones using SIP. Inter-Tel has even released a special FLASH for the 86XX phones to allow improved operation with Asterisk.

The CS-5200 is an inexpensive, proven solution and the Asterisk is a development platform. You mentioned how cheap it was to get, but you are not considering endpoint cost and development time. You will also find dimenished functionality in the Asterisk compared to Inter-Tel.

I have Asterisk full version. Great for custom apps, but I would never run my business exclusively on it.

SilentJ619 · 08-08-2006, 05:10 AM

I would go almost word for word what JCP2000 says. We support Inter-Tel and the Asterisk solution. Both have they're place in the buisness enviorment. The Inter-Tel 5000 is loaded on the Debian OS, uses a flash drive and can have either IP or digital phones. If reliability and voice quality is what your looking for stick with the Inter-Tel. If you have plenty of time and a boss who is patient and doesn't mind phone problems go with asterisk. Asterisk is a great system you just better be able to handle and fix any problem that comes before you if not plan on spending more time at the unemployment office (joke). Not to say that Inter-Tel hasn't their own software issues......every company out there does, its just about who has the support staff to TS and fix them when you system is down.

superfoneguy · 11-17-2006, 06:16 PM

InterTel_Guru:

"The old style digital phones that worked with the Axxent do not work with the CS-5000 system. If you still have an Axxent, throw it in the trash can and buy a CS-5000 system -you wont be disapointed!"

I know this is an old thread, but you can use the old Executive, Standard and Basic fones on the 5000 series systems. Thought I'd point that out...

***ITEngineer*** · 11-18-2006, 06:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by superfoneguy

InterTel_Guru:

"The old style digital phones that worked with the Axxent do not work with the CS-5000 system. If you still have an Axxent, throw it in the trash can and buy a CS-5000 system -you wont be disapointed!"

I know this is an old thread, but you can use the old Executive, Standard and Basic fones on the 5000 series systems. Thought I'd point that out...

This is a valid point the 4000 series phones will work the with 5000 with a DEI module. However there are several things to consider when making this change The 5200 will support up to 96 digital phones and up to 14 pots lines or 3 T-1 PRI's. If you now have 24 pots lines and can not upgrade to a PRI then be aware of the limitation. Depending on how you license the product 5200, 5400, or 5600 it will support in addition up to 500 IP Phones. The core of the system runs on Debian Linux that is pretty much locked down so you will never see it. You can run a few commands by using SSH to login to the box. It will provide Basic Unified Messaging like Asterisk but does not provide the web interface for voice mail and the operator console that Asterisk does. You can add the Console for an additional fee. Unlike Asterisk to run SIP IP phones in the 5000 you will have to add an additional server to run SIP.

And while I would not throw the Axxent in the trash I would put it on Ebay or the likes as there a few boards in the Axxent that are worth a few bucks to people who have to keep them running.

superfoneguy · 11-18-2006, 07:24 PM

That's a great post above. I would just add that:

True Outlook integration for Unified Messaging is possible w/ the external EM server. This is an add-on server which also supports speech recognition, faxing in/out and up to 10,000 mailboxes. With the promotions available, a customer can get a very good package deal. Of course not as inexpensive as Asterisk.

While I have only read documents about the Asterisk system and not installed one (though I have already replaced one), I would be willing to bet Inter-Tel's Contact Center Suite s/w package, Attendant Console, Unified Communicator and available 3rd-party s/w options like Netphone from Computer Telephony Solutions are pretty tough to beat. However alot of businesses just don't need that kind functionality...

***ITEngineer*** · 11-19-2006, 07:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by superfoneguy

That's a great post above. I would just add that:

True Outlook integration for Unified Messaging is possible w/ the external EM server. This is an add-on server which also supports speech recognition, faxing in/out and up to 10,000 mailboxes. With the promotions available, a customer can get a very good package deal. Of course not as inexpensive as Asterisk.

While I have only read documents about the Asterisk system and not installed one (though I have already replaced one), I would be willing to bet Inter-Tel's Contact Center Suite s/w package, Attendant Console, Unified Communicator and available 3rd-party s/w options like Netphone from Computer Telephony Solutions are pretty tough to beat. However alot of businesses just don't need that kind functionality...

Thanks, I think the applications are tough to beat as well.

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