08/21/2007

Nortel Networks Corporation - A Brief History of Your Office Phone System

In offices across the United States and the world, phones drive business. Phone systems enable the vital communication portals that allow cross city, state, and country decisions to be made, whether a simple lunch order or a multi million dollar closure. One corporation that has been involved in this daily business-communication cycle from the infancy of telecommunications has been Nortel Networks Corporation. However, Nortel has not enjoyed a linear, smooth growth; like many companies aged 100 years or more, several transformations, for better or worse, have occurred to shape the giant Nortel Networks Corporation is today.

Nortel began its trek through the world of business in 1895 as Northern Electric, a spin off company of Bell Telephone Company of Canada, incorporated to manufacture business-to-business phones as well as other devices. Northern Electric morphed further into the Northern Electric and Manufacturing Company Limited before the turn of century. With its headquarters and first factories centered in Montreal, Northern Electric continued with phone and other device manufacturing and selling into the early 1900’s, when, in 1914, a merger with Imperial Cable resulted in a new Northern Electric, co-owned by Bell Canada and Western Electric, a U.S. company.

Business continued to grow for Northern Electric after the Western Electric merger until an anti-trust suit was brought against AT&T/Western Electric in 1946, forcing Northern to be sold exclusively to Bell Canada, and in turn forcing Northern Electric to stop producing and distributing products built for Western Electric. Due to this critical financial and logistical set back, Northern began manufacturing and distributing their products, including television sets. In 1964, Bell Canada bought full ownership of Northern Electric and in 1973, took the company public. Within this period of time, two vital decisions were made to advance Northern Electric; first, in 1969, Northern began working on digitizing their telephone systems. Second, steps were taken to enter the U.S. market, including their first U.S. factory opening in Michigan in 1972. These steps resulted in Northern shipping its first digital switching system in 1975.

With a company name change to Northern Telecom Limited, a push to concentrate the company’s emphasis on digital technology, and a merging of parent company Bell Canada Enterprises, Bell Canada and Northern Telecom, and Bell-Northern Research in 1986, business was thriving. In 1995, the company we know today was branded; its 100 year anniversary unveiled the company's streamlined corporate identity, Nortel Networks Corporation.

Gary Evans is CEO of Hi Line Supply, a Dallas-based telecommunications company with 20 years experience in finding Nortel Norstar, selling Norstar Meridian, and refurbishing Norstar BCM telephone systems. With a company at the forefront of telecommunication equipment, their services reach beyond Texas and the US to their international clients.

 

 

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08/08/2007

Understanding Meridian Phone Systems

Understanding Meridian Phone Systems

Most people will describe their phone systems as Nortel Networks, Northern Telecom, or Meridian Phone system. With so many options out there, it's easy to see how someone can get confused. But don't fear, we can sort this out together.

Nortel Networks used to be Northern Telecom some many years ago. Northern Telecom... northern tel... Hey! Nortel! That's a pretty slick abbreviation. Good job marketing department, that's a pretty catchy name. I love when marketing people come up with things that make you step back, and just admire the brilliance of the idea. Like the marketing department for Budweiser. Even if you don't like beer, those guys just know how root their commercials into pop culture. Remember the Budweiser Frogs? Brilliant! Hey, that's another ad campaign that rooted itself deep into pop culture. Then you have the other kind of marketing approach. You know, the guys who think up those annoying ads. Yes, those ads. The ones that make you want to Hulk smash your TV because they are just that annoying. Like the people over at Quizno's who thought using ugly, screeching, hamster looking things. Seriously, what the heck were they thinking? It wasn't bad enough that the commercial itself made your ears feel like they were being stabbed with a hot soldering iron, but they played it over and over and over again. Somehow thinking that it would be better the 50th time you saw it.


Anyways, now back to Nortel. Nortel is one of the largest phone system manufactures in the world. They make everything form central office switches, to Norstar and Meridian business phone systems, to single line residential phones for home use.

So you want to upgrade or expand your Nortel phone system? The first thing you need to do is find the model number. This will put you on the path to buying a compatible phone system. If you order the wrong model, then well, it might not work at all (now who would of thought that?).

Be careful about buying Meridian, thinking it will work. Just because your phone says Meridian, doesn't mean you can go out and buy another Meridian phone. Nortel decided it would be a great idea to call almost everything in the business phone world, Meridian. Chances are, if you have a Nortel phone system, you have a Meridian phone. Meridian was put on everything from Centrex phones, to Norstar Phones, to SL-1 PBX phones, and of course, there are Meridian phones. Confused yet? Don't worry, you're not the only one.

Now look at the bottom of the phone. Sometimes there is a model number. The model number reads something like this, M7324, M7310, M7208, M7100, T7316, T7316e or T7100. By the way, if it has any of the model numbers listed it's on a Norstar phone system.

Here are some of the Meridian PBX and SL-1 model numbers: M2008, M2006, M2616D, M3901, M3902, M3903, M3904 and M3905.

and finally here are some model numbers for Nortel (and Aastra) Centrex phones: M5316, M5208, M5008, M5312, M5216, M5212, M5209, M5112, M5009, M9417CW, M9316CW, M9110, M9116, M9120, M8004, M8009, and M8314.

Remember, there are many more model numbers that I'm not listing.

Now if you can't find a model number, try finding a part number. It will almost always begin with the letters NT followed by several numbers and letters. If searching for your part number brings back your part number with a dash and two digit number, don't worry. That 2 digit number is just the color code. For example, the part number NTMN34BB may return a result for NTMN34BB-70. This would be a charcoal Meridian M3904 phone.

Hopefully this will help with your confusion and to better understand Meridian phones a little bit better.

06/04/2007

Nortel T7406 Cordless Phone

The Nortel T7406 is a full-featured multi-line cordless phone. It frees your from remaining at your desk, and missing important calls. The T7406 alls features digital spread spectrum frequency hopping which greatly reduces interference allowing for a crisp, clear conversation no matter where you are. It's operating range is 300 ft and is backwards compatible with Norstar and Business Communication Manager which allows for full integration while maintaining their features. The T7406 has a maximum site density of 6 handsets, two wall bases supporting three T7406 handsets each.

 

The T7406 also features 5 hours of talk-time or 72 hours of standby time with its Nickel Metal Hydride battery. The base has the ability to simultaneously charge the primary handset as well as an optional spare battery. Accessories include leather case, belt clip, and spare battery.

Nortel T7406 cordless phone

Check out the Nortel section in our Ebay store for the T7406 and other Nortel phones and phone systems!

17:52 Posted in Telecom Equipment | Permalink | Email this | Tags: Nortel, T7406

05/30/2007

Nortel i2007 IP Telephone

The i2007 IP Telephone incorporates a 5.7" color touch screen. Built-in USB port supports standard USB mouse and keyboards for simple point-n-click access and navigation. The i2007 IP  also enables realtime multimedia presentation from external application servers through support of Virtual Network Computing, transcending the IP Phone into a true Information Appliance.




  • Features:
    • Up to twelve programmable line/feature keys (Nortel Communication Server dependent) and four dynamic state-sensitive soft function keys.
    • Supports both prepackaged and customized multimedia content from external application gateways.
    • Softkey access to administration tools including initial configuration, network and local diagnostic and user preference menus.
    • Provides for power options with compliance to the IEEE 802.3af Power over Ethernet standard and local AC power via a universal power adapter
    • Built-in amplifier supports amplified and un-amplified headsets.
    • Manual setting of 10 Mbps and 100 Mbps connections supported for legacy switching equipment that does not perform auto-sensing.
    • Desktop or Wall Mountable.
    • Compatible with the following systems: Sucession 1000 rel 3 or later, Communication Server 100 rel 4 or later, Meridian, and (BCM) Business Communications Manager 3.7 or later.
Look at our auction for Nortel i2007 IP Telephone

23:01 Posted in Telecom Equipment | Permalink | Email this | Tags: Nortel, i2007

05/19/2007

Did You Know? Features and Specifications of a Nortel Meridian M3904 Phone

At Network Liquidators, we stock large amounts of new and used/refurbished Nortel Meridian M3904 Telephones. All new phones come with a 5-year warranty and refurbished phones come with 2-year warranty.

Nortel phones are great for small and large business alike. The M3904 is capable of supporting up to 12 lines. Options include a large display, personal phonebook, call log and caller ID. It also supports the use of Personal Directory PC Utility which allows you to download up to 100 contacts to the phone.

The phase 3 option features full-duplex hands free speaker phone as well as the Full Duplex Handsfree Accessory that easily snaps into the Accessory Connection Module.

meridian M3904 telephone




Key Features:
  • Multi-line digital phone with five-line x 24-character display
  • Personal Directory and Call Log
  • Interactive soft keys for quick access to numerous features
  • Fixed feature keys:
    • Hold, Goodbye, Volume Control, "Smart" Mute and Headset w/LED, Options, Message, Directory/Log (includes Redial), Applications, Shift
    • Handsfree with LED
  • Direct-connect headset port
  • Supports up to two snap-in cartridge accessories for the Analog Terminal Adapter (ATA), External Alerter & Recording Interface, and Personal Directory PC Utility. Or add the Full Duplex Handsfree Accessory (with phase 3 M3904 only) or the Computer Telephony Interface Adapter (Meridian 1 only)


Check out our Ebay store

00:12 Posted in Telecom Equipment | Permalink | Email this | Tags: Nortel, Meridian, M3904