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OVERVIEW
The Avaya Partner is great for tiny operations that need dial tone and voicemail very cheap, but not much else. The unit consists of a main carrier cabinet called a KSU (Key Service Unit) which holds up to five cards including the processor. Out of the box, it offers 3 lines and 8 extensions, but can go to 15 lines and 40 stations.
THE GOOD
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Can be had on the cheap
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Reliable equipment
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Well-known brand
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OK value for the money
THE BAD
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You get what you pay for: and the Partner is priced very cheap
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Can be a little touchy with programming changes (unfortunately, an Avaya trait)
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Features are rather spartan, but for the cost......it works.
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Odd voicemail system; yet, functional
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Not many phone types available
THE UGLY
WHAT IT IS
Hardware
1 – Avaya Partner ACS Release 6 Processor (3x8)
1 – Avaya Partner Mail
Phones
1 – 18D Phone
1 – 6B Phone
Service
1 – Analog Loop-Start CO Line
WHAT IT DOES
Had telephones been around in the BC era, the Romans would have loved this system. It is so spartan it is unbelievable. Still, for the money, it is a good, reliable little switch. It comes with basic features, such as caller-ID (depending on the processor you get) and message waiting (if you invest in the proprietary voicemail system). Default features also include call transfer, paging, intercom, call hold, and speed dialing. However, that is just about it.
The optional voicemail system is archaic, yet functional. It is a 4-port on-board voicemail flash card that can store about 100 hours worth of messages. However, don't even dream of advanced features. The major drawback for this system is its inflexibility. If you want to renumber the extensions, this is near impossible to do. It seems to be missing some key features found standard on most of today's systems.
Still, all-in-all, it does have some good points . It is an easy switch to use – mainly because it has few features. The Partners have been around for well over 20 years – and they have a very reliable track-record. They are fast to set up and program – again, primarily because there are not many settings to set. Unfortunately, there is not much else to write about this system.
At the time of this writing, Avaya is considering dropping the Partner ACS. However, fear not. The IP Office 500 (6.0.1 V2 cabinet) can run a pack of the Partner phones. So, chances are, when the system is retired, it will still be supported and your investment is still on the safe side.
THE BOTTOM LINE
If you are a tiny operation (under 8 users) and need a basic phone system with a couple of key features, this is a good choice – especially if you are on a very limited budget. Although you can grow over a 3x8 setup with the Partner, we wouldn't recommend it. You would be in pain transferring calls to a heap of stations on this system. Still, restaurants can't get enough of this switch. It is cheap, reliable, and basic.
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