Conference Phone with AVAYA's "Blessing?"

[marzahn]

So fellow Phone Geeks and Geekettes . . .

Has anyone discovered a digital or IP conference phone that is both modular and plays well with an Avaya Switch? I believe that Polycomm had one that did not work to well. Any ideas are most welcome.

[gwebster]

Avaya sells the B100 Series Conference Phones which include analog/SIP/H.323 models. Have a look at http://www.avaya.com/usa/product/b10...ference-phones for more information.

[marzahn]

Thank You for the Tip G.

Avaya sells the B100 Series Conference Phones which include analog/SIP/H.323 models. Have a look at http://www.avaya.com/usa/product/b10...ference-phones for more information.

I should have thought of that. However a year or so ago, I heard that the joint Avaya/Plantronics offerings were not working well.

A quick check revialed that the Avaya/Polycom 1692 and 2033 units would be good choices as they use the H.323 protocol. We are still H.323 in this building.

[gwebster]

The H.323-based 1692 is no longer for sale. It has been replaced by the B189. The 2033 uses UNISTIM and is also no longer sold.

Avaya acquired Konftel and that is where the analog and SIP (B179) came from. The B189 was jointly developed between the two companies. It runs similar software to the 9641G.

[marzahn]

Selected a Mix of Polycom and Avaya Conference Phones

The H.323-based 1692 is no longer for sale. It has been replaced by the B189. The 2033 uses UNISTIM and is also no longer sold.

Avaya acquired Konftel and that is where the analog and SIP (B179) came from. The B189 was jointly developed between the two companies. It runs similar software to the 9641G.

I selected a mix of Polycom and Avaya products for our locations:

* Avaya 1692 IP for larger rooms in satelite offices. I found a source of some new ones.
* Avaya 2490 (digital) for all conference rooms in the corporate office.
* Polycom Soundstation IP5000 for small rooms and offices in satelite offices.

I will be installing these over the next three weeks and will report back how they work. I am also interested in the B189. It sounds like something that I should review.

[gwebster]

The Polycom SoundStation IP 5000 utilizes SIP for signaling. In posts above, you stated that you are still "H.323 in this building". That implies that you will not be able to use the Polycom conference phone.

[marzahn]

Yikes

The Polycom SoundStation IP 5000 utilizes SIP for signaling. In posts above, you stated that you are still "H.323 in this building". That implies that you will not be able to use the Polycom conference phone.

I truly appreciate the heads up on this. Looks like the vendor overlooked this minor detail when offering their solution. I remember skimming over the tech sheet. However I missed that part as well.

[bruno46]

B189 is interesting, but they say it is not compatible with IP Office. what a shame.