Finding A PBX Compatibility Chart
If you're looking for any kind of telephone and PBX compatibility listing....lots of luck. But if you're willing to dig you just might find what you're looking for.
Searching for a single source that would give PBX models and the phones that are compatible with them is likely wishful thinking. I am not aware of a list that lists all models of all phones for all vendors. Plus the vendors keep adding new models making this a moving target anyway. For Avaya alone it would be a large spreadsheet and would contain a lot of "what ifs".
For example Avaya has BRI ISDN phones that will work as two pair and one pair phones, what you can use is determined by the vintage of the PBX and the station cards you have in the system. Avaya also has two kinds of digital phones (one pair and two pair) but you cannot mix them on the same station cards. And you are again restricted by the software release of the PBX. Avaya also has phones that will only work on the smaller systems and not on the larger systems.
Avaya also has several models of IP phones. The latest PBX release can use all of them but as you go back in time, the list gets shorter.
I would guess that all the other PBX vendors operate in the same way.
The only rule that is fairly consistent is that analog phones will work pretty much on any PBX, at least for dialtone. Digital and IP phones will only work on the vendors system be it Avaya, Cisco, Nortel, whatever. That is because each vendor builds in features to those phones that won't work on a competitor's switch.
For another example....Nortel has a compatability chart on their web site. You will need your software release and switch type to to do any kinf of comparison.
If you haven't caught on to a theme here this is it. A "one size fit's all" single source for comparing telephones and PBX system compatability doesn't exist. That is unless you're willing to make it up yourself.
That does sound more complicated than it needs to be though. Simply narrow your parameters and variables to be considered...and focus on just those vendors you would most be interested in. Then research each of those vendors online and by requesting information in hard copy. That will also make whatever you find a better representation of fit for your specific needs.
Now if you need a comparison of PBX systems themselves that I can do. Just drop by the resource area of the PBXInfo online community at PBXInfo.com and you should find what you're looking for.
There you go. Maybe not what you were hoping..... but sometimes what we want most we really have to work for. However, if all you really need is a simple comparison of PBX systems themselves.....that you can do.
Michael is the owner of FreedomFire Communications....including DS3-Bandwidth.com and Business-VoIP-Solution.com. Michael also authors Broadband Nation where you're always welcome to drop in and catch up on the latest BroadBand news, tips, insights, and ramblings for the masses.
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