This question doesn't apply to any Livingston
products, but I don't know where else to post
this and get an informed answer.
Does anyone use Universal Call Distribution or
Advanced Call Distribution to distribuite
the load over your modem pools? How about
Centrex?
How much are you paying for this, and did
you have to have Centrex for these features?
I got some unbelievable numbers from NYNEX
and massive rewiring charges.
Thanks in advance,
Ed
"Maybe I should go into the phone business"
-------------------------------------------
| e-mail: elongstr@spectra.net |
| WWW: http://www.spectra.net/~elongstr |
| Voice: 607-798-7300 |
| Fax: 607-798-7771 |
| Data: |
-------------------------------------------
On Tue, 17 Sep 1996, MegaZone wrote:
> Once upon a time alexm@agetech.net shaped the electrons to say...
> >Not just that, the Ascend are also supposedly can also do frame relay. I
>
> So? We do Frame Relay too on the PM-3. You missed that *huge* PM-3 thread
> that has been going for over a week?
>
> >also like the concept of an Ascend connecting to an Ascend considering
> >most of the ISDN routers are Ascend in the first place.
>
> You like paying for it too I guess - I've seen their pricing. They're
> current best deal is the MAX 4000-EX bundle. This is a limited time offer
> that expires soon and it requires a trade in unit:
>
> Base unit (4/PRI): $18,600
> CSU/DSU x4 : $3,000
> ISDN Signalling : $1,000
> 48 digital modems: FREE (normally $36,000)
> TOTAL ISP PRICE : $22,500
>
> You know why they are giving away the modems? These are their OLD 8 modem
> cards, NOT the new 12 modem models. They need to dump obsolete stock that
> they couldn't sell anymore - so they are suckering people into this bundle.
> Since it is a bundle you can't split it and still get the deal. And note
> that they make you get the 4PRI base when the modems are only enough for
> 2 PRIs - AND YOU CAN'T PUT MORE IN! The 4000 only has 6 slots, with the 48
> modems al six are full. Even with 12 modem cards you only get 72 modems,
> still not enought to cover all channels.
>
> Think about it - at this *deal* price, ignoring the modem cost since they are
> free, ISDN channels are $244.56 EACH.
>
> For ISDN only a 2 PRI T1 is $118.98 per port at our ISP prices - and that is
> our everyday ISP price, not a limited time deal.
>
> It is hard to figure out a fair modem comparision. Do you count all 92
> channels? A PM-2 with 2 PRIs and 46 modems runs $355 per port. But that
> means a modem on every port. You just can't do it with the MAX, and with
> this deal you have 48 modems on 92 channels... Dividing this deal price by
> 48 gives $468.75 a port. But is that fair - ignoring the other ISDN ports?
>
> I have an idea. Lets give them the benefit of the doubt and say the 44 ISDN
> ports are $118.98 each. That is $125.58 off. Times 44 is $5525.52. So lets
> apply that to the 48 full featured ports as the 'modem cost' divided by 48
> yields $115.12 per modem. For a total cost on each modem port of: $359.68
>
> Yay. So for this magnificent deal you pay $4.68 more per modem line, assuming
> an equal cost for the ISDN only lines. And for that you get their older
> modem technology that is being dumped to make room for the new cards. And
> this price is good until 9/30/96 at 5PM. Oh sorry, there *is* more.
>
> You can't just buy this. These prices are part of a trade in program. To
> get them you must sacrifice a unit - so this isn't good for growth, it is
> a box swap scheme to get into your business. To be fair, you trade in
> analog only for analog plus ISDN.
>
> You trade in one comm server from another vendor for each bundle. And
> in addition to the above you get first year free tech support and first
> year free software upgrades and cash rebate of $2550 ($53.125 (hey, Ascend
> listed it that way) per modem port on the MAX) - for a final cost of $19,950
> which is 66% off of list. (Before rebate is 62% off - full list is $58,500.)
>
> Wow - let's see. Livingston gives LIFETIME FREE technical support and
> software upgrades, on all products, at all times. No special deal.
>
> ok, now, lets see what it cost per port pure ISDN - $216.85 for 96 ports.
> Still more than $118.98. Counting just modem lines it is $415.63 each.
> Now, my benefit of the doubt figures as done above: $97.87 difference, total
> difference of $4306.28. Spread over 48 modems adds $89.71 each, for a total
> cost of $306.56 each - a savings of $48.44 a port over a PM-3.
>
> Is it worth it? Will you actually use the ISDN ports that you can't put
> modems on, or are they idle? If they are idle their cost should be added to
> the modem ports. Are you happy with their old modem cards? That's what you
> are getting. How much will you pay for software and support after that
> first year is gone? I bet the costs add up to the more than $2200 or so you
> can eek out with this deal, which you get:
>
> IFF you have a unit to trade in. (How much did you pay for that unit, we
> really should be adding in the costs of that units value as part of the
> payment. That would probably shoot the deal right there.)
> IFF you rush to do it now.
> IFF you support a paid subscriber base on at least 20 analog ports (Ascend
> requirement)
> IFF your primary place of business is in the US or Canada (ditto -and did I
> mention this product isn't available for E1?)
>
> Of course, you may find VAR's pushing this - they get a 10% commission on
> each bundle - $2000. Gee, sounds like Ascend is desperate to dump these
> boxes, doesn't it?
>
> You know what is funny? All through their pricing material Ascend compares
> their box to what? Guess? The Livingston Portmaster! Not the PM-3 of
> course, but the PM-2. Not very fair, but still, wonder why they are so
> anxious about Livingston products.
>
> >Do these "DIGITAL MODEMS" do both analog and ISDN, or how does that
> >work.
>
> Short answer since I've given the long answer several times (someone want to
> fill in the rest? I'm teaching a training this week and I have very little
> time to do this):
>
> ISDN is handled by the motherboard. You only need the digital modems *if*
> you *also* want to handle analog calls. If the PM-3 detects an analog call
> coming on on a B channel it will automatically switch that call to the
> first available modem.
>
> Livingston PM-3 Architecture
>
> +---------------------------------------------------------------------+
> | PM-3 Chassis |
> | |
> | +-------+ |
> |+---------+ +--------+ | High | +-----------------+ |
> || Digital | | Digital|---| Speed |---| Routing | |
> - PRI --| Switch |--digital--| Modem |---| Back |---| Engine | |
> |+---------+ +--------+ | Plane | +-----------------+ |
> | +-------+ |
> | |
> +---------------------------------------------------------------------+
>
> -MZ
> --
> Livingston Enterprises - Chair, Department of Interstitial Affairs
> Phone: 800-458-9966 510-426-0770 FAX: 510-426-8951 megazone@livingston.com
> For support requests: support@livingston.com <http://www.livingston.com/>
> Snail mail: 6920 Koll Center Parkway #220, Pleasanton, CA 94566
> See me in person: Internet Expo, Boston, MA, October 16-17, Booth 422 ;-)
>
>
>
>
>