Nortel/Avaya

For over 25 years, Barry Communications installed and serviced Nortel telephone systems, and we were consistently recognized as one of Nortel's most consistent and stable resellers in the country.

When the Canadian company filed bankruptcy in 2009, it represented one of the largest failures in the telecommunications equipment business. Since then, a painful dismantling of the once might telecom giant has occurred. Nortel sold its CDMA division to Ericsson; sold its core packet network business to Hatachi; and, sold its enterprise division to Avaya.

Included in Avaya's acquisition of the Nortel Enterprise Solutions (NES) line of business was the Nortel BCM and Norstar Product lines.

Barry Communications Customers with Nortel Systems

Barry Communications will continue to provide support on your Nortel System as we always have. We have contracted with Avaya for continued access to the Nortel BCM Support Services (technical support, software access and replacement parts). The only change is that due to the elimination of the Nortel Partner program, we can no longer support Remote Monitoring. Also, Avaya's policy will require us to purchase a 2nd tier technical support agreement from them – a service that Nortel used to supply to us at no charge. Please note that this may result in a small increase when your contract renews.

Nortel/Avaya Business Communications Manager Platforms

While Norstar systems, BCM1000, BCM200 are BCM400 are no longer for sale, Barry Communications will continue to sell Business Communications Manager 50 (BCM50) and Business Communications Manger 450 (BCM 450) platforms.

Avaya's Business Communications Manager is appropriate for companies that want to streamline internal operations, improve remote communications, increase employee productivity, reduce costs, and enhance customer service. Business Communications Manager delivers a common browser-based management platform that delivers unified communications capabilities, proven and reliable voice processing, and an extensive range of feature-rich business telephony applications.

The Migration Ahead

Given the overlap between Nortel and Avaya products, Avaya has announced that research and development efforts will focus on its IPOffice Platform, which will serve as its Small & Medium Business Platform (SMB) solution.

At Barry Communications, we believe that it is likely that it is only a matter of time before Avaya phases out the Nortel BCM and Norstar product lines altogether.

Be assured that we will continue to stay at the forefront of these business developments, and the many other exciting developments in communications technology, particular around VoIP. Please feel free to contact us, if we can be of assistance with any questions that you may have regarding your company's communications situation.