Java_Bob

PG is the new bldg. close same LEC serving it??

Pirates_Ghost

Good question bob....but the answer is strange.
Yes....and no.
It's not that far (walking distance) but would be a diffrent LEC.

Addatel

If the Telco can port the numbers over all at once. Then ask them if they can call forward certain groups of numbers to a temporary group of DID #'s. They typically have a pool of test numbers, and the PRI out dial number will still show the existing number, not the test numbers, so no one is the wiser.

I.E. Telco takes (xxx)xxx-1111 call forwards the number to (xxx)xxx-8798 and then when the move is done, or that night they port those numbers over. If you are running both switches simultaneously, you can call forward yourself.

Then you have a fail safe in place if a few are missed, as they are still forwarded.

Are you going to move the system or install a whole new one?

If you can run both, you call forward DID's yourself until they are all cut. Then move all lines at once. Again the Telco would have to give you temp numbers. But they have never had a problem with that when I have asked. I am in Canada though so maybe it is different in the U.S.

They can in some cases allow the number to ring in on both PRI channels, at different sites, so you could have both systems ringing at the same time. Move at your convenience.

I would see what the Telco will do for you. Their switches are very versatile. They may charge you, but it is at least feasable. Then they can hang should the worst happen.

Java_Bob

Addatel, has some good points. call or better yet set up meeting with both LEC's and see what they can provide.

Pirates_Ghost

I see where you going, but the question has been raised why we need to "bother changing numbers to a new numberin plan, rather than just keep our own".

Like I said, the obvious: It's a HELL of a lot easier to move people in groups when they're getting new numbers and we don't have to worry about if their number gets shifted on the correct date (if at all) and we get all 3000 users under the single umbrella of one building/one prefix/one numbering plan, instead of 3 buildings/8 prefixs/4 numbering plans...

As most of us know, however, the obvious isn't always an easy push to the "powers that be" so I'm shopping round for other ideas to push my point....that we DO NOT want to keep the same numbers!

The trouble in changing numbers is stationary, business cards, directories all probalby would have to be changed.

Pirates_Ghost

Good point, but moot....they'd have to change that anyway...new addresss.

John_In_Dakota

Try this:

Send a note to all your customers, vendors, employees and whom ever and explain that you will be in the process of moving to a new location. While this process will be three weeks long you will try and make it an easy transition. There may be times that your phone will not ring for a day or longer but get over it. In time, three weeks everything should be ok so stop complain. All persons found complaining will lose their job. Also, explain to the people who were caught complain too much and lost their jobs, they can win their jobs back if they want to help move the 3000 phones.

Pirates_Ghost

I like you thinking there John...
BUT...need to modify it slightly.

"We will be moving to our new building over a three week period of time as we have roughly 3000 employees to move at that time. As such, in order to maintain our client responsiblities at both locations, we are moving to an entirely NEW numbering plan. This means that you will NOT maintain the same number from the old to new builing, but instead get a new number that will reflect the [insert company name here] dialing plan. This will allow us not only to keep both offices running seemlessly during this transition time, but also allow us to encompass a single Prefix for the company. We will be supplying you your new number with ample time to alert your customers, clients and anyone else of the number change. It is, therefore, up to YOU to supply those persons with this new information. If you fail to do so, then TOUGH SH**! YOU screwed it up, YOU fix it!"