Java_Bob

Thats ALOT to take on with no telephone knowledge.... You can always hire PBXinfo folks to help you

akshatp

Thats fine I dont mind hiring someone to help, but I dont want someone to install it.

I would prefer to hire someone help me understand how it works and giude me along the way. And when I have trouble installing it, which i am bound to have having no prior experience, I want to be able to ask quetions, not only how to make it work, but why it wasnt working the way I was doing it.

Make sense?

Any recommendations on who to choose for help or why?

Pirates_Ghost

From the sound of it you'll have no choice but to hire on a consultant to work out a project plan for you on a system akin to the NEC.
HOWEVER...good luck finding someone to be a "bounce" with out paying $$$$$$$$$.

You can find many a person (myself included) who are more than willing to help you write up a proposal. Even this board will answer basic questions, but to be a "crutch" is a risky business for any of us in the consulting field. We can't afford the hit to our reps. if you misinstall or cause a problem, know what I mean?

I'm not trying to say you don't know anything, as you obviously DO know alot, just not telecommunicaitons/PBX.

It reads to me what you REALLY would like is a personal tutor, which on the one hand is great, as you would like to learn hands on (as most of us did) but the cost of that (as I doubt you'll find any willing to aprentice you for free) is prohibitive.

Basic questions, or even the "Why didn't this work, this is what I did" is what this site exists for, so ask away at will (and (somewhat) free of charge).
Otherwise, I wish you the best.
Cheers

__________________
You can't wield supreme executive power just because some watery tart threw a sword at you - Look, if I went 'round saying I was an Emperor, just because some moistened bint had lobbed a scimitar at me, they'd put me away!

SilentWind(but_deadly)

That was put very well by pirates ghost (as usual). The installation and programming of a phone system is not rocket science and I studiosly avoid putting on airs in that direction. That being said, it is a legitemate skilled trade. There are several different categories of knowledge that combine to make a phone tech. Do you have basic wiring infrastructure knowledge ? Have you ever used a punch down tool, do you know which row you punch down the 25 pair amphenol breakout cable from the phone system onto a 66M block. Do you know the difference between an analog and a digital phone and an analog and a digital phone system port, and all their varios implications. Do you know what a DID is ? Should thier fax lines run through the system ? What is CFNA and what does it have to do with voicemail ? What's the difference between Auto Attendant and Voicemail ?
My point is not to irritate you, but to back up the suggestion that, if your going to pull this off in the real world, your probably going to need a tutor, on site, from your area. Will you be a proficient phone technician after being tutored to install one phone system? If so all I can say is ;
you rule the planet.
As the Pirate's Ghost sayeth, post back and we'll do what we can.

RichardMorris

I totally agree with the previous posts. It's not rocket science but it is a science. I've seen so many "computer guys" who think that there is nothing to telecom. I was at lunch with a bunch of computer types one day and heard one say "oh, anybody can do phone stuff" he motioned like he was picking up a phone and then hanging up. All I could do was shake my head. Back to the question, can you do it? Gonna be tough I think your boss may unrealistic an has put you in an bad position.
My first thought was, since you seem to be more computer oriented, is to look at an IP system, like something by 3 Com. Mmmm, that may not be such a good idea.
My second thought was to hire a consultant. As mentioned, could be expensive. Check with your local Graybar, AllTel ect. They have guys come in all the time that put in key systems and would be available for you to subcontract to. Make it known up front that your intentions are to be able to do it yourself someday. This should avoid future conflict.
Third. Partner with (90's buss word) with an established company that does not offer the services that you offer. This will create a synergistic relationship that will compliment both parties. Make it a win win (sorry more buzz), they do the phones and you be there to support them where they lack skills in a certain area.

I don't know anyone in Telecom that graduated from DeVry or some other trade school. I'm sure they're out there but Telecom is a come up thru the ranks pulling cable, "here's a manual, go install this" kind of industry. Do what I did. Buy a system and experiment.

BTW how many lines and phones (ports) are you needing to install? Key system or PBX? If it's over about 150 or so ports, you're into a PBX and it's a whole new ballgame .
Richard