Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!rutgers!apple!ames!elroy!gryphon!vector!telecom-gateway From: OLE@csli.stanford.edu (Ole J. Jacobsen) Newsgroups: comp.dcom.telecom Subject: AT&T and the 'Simple PBX' Market Message-ID: Date: 12 Jun 89 12:22:43 GMT Sender: news@vector.Dallas.TX.US Lines: 16 Approved: telecom-request@vector.dallas.tx.us X-Submissions-To: telecom@eecs.nwu.edu X-Administrivia-To: telecom-request@vector.dallas.tx.us X-TELECOM-Digest: volume 9, issue 198, message 5 of 6 A while back, there was some discussion about AT&T PBX equipment (Merlin and the like). I'd like to point out that while Merlin offers great features (we have one at work), it is probably the most expensive system you can buy. (The cheapest Merlin phone is over $200, a "reasonable" one, the kind most employees would want (BIS-22) is $395). For larger businesses this is probably OK, but I am really surprised that AT&T hasn't entered the "simple PBX" market. Panasonic has a 6 CO line, 16 extension system for about $700, it requires only one "wizard's console" and supports *standard telephones* (my rotary phones from the 30's and 40's work just fine). Again, you cannot fault AT&T for quality, but I really wonder about their pricing (look at what they charge for a FAX machine these days!!). Ole "Make it as ubiquitous as dialtone!"