Navigating the End of Legacy Telecom Systems: How Towner Can Help You Transition from NEC, Mitel, and More

Legacy telecom systems are becoming increasingly challenging to maintain and integrate with modern technologies. With recent announcements from NEC and Mitel signaling the end of their traditional systems, many businesses face the critical task of transitioning to new solutions. Let’s explore what these changes mean, the risks of staying with outdated technology, and how Towner can help you navigate a seamless transition.

Navigating the End of Life Telecom Systems: How Towner Can Help You Transition from NEC, Mitel, & More

Why Legacy Telecom Systems Are Becoming Obsolete

The rapid evolution of communication technology has left legacy systems lagging behind. Businesses today need solutions that offer flexibility, scalability, and integration with modern tools. Traditional PBX systems and other legacy setups often lack these capabilities, creating frustration for CTOs who want seamless integration with newer technologies.

Recent announcements from major providers like NEC and Mitel underscore this reality. Both companies have decided to discontinue key legacy systems, making it essential for businesses to consider alternative, future-proof options.

The Impact of NEC’s Exit from Premises-Based PBX

NEC, once a giant in the PBX market, has announced it will exit the premises-based PBX business globally, except for Japan, by the end of 2024. The company will instead focus on its cloud-based offerings, such as UNIVERGE BLUE UCaaS and CCaaS. This move affects countless businesses that rely on NEC’s systems for their daily operations​

What Does This Mean for Your Business?

• End of New Product Sales: NEC will cease sales of new products by December 31, 2024.
• Limited Support: Support for existing systems will continue only until March 31, 2030.
• Pressure to Migrate: Businesses must now consider transitioning to cloud-based or alternative solutions to avoid service disruptions.

• Q: What does NEC’s exit from premises-based PBX systems mean for businesses?
  A: NEC has announced the end-of-life for its premises-based PBX systems, encouraging businesses to transition to cloud-based solutions like UNIVERGE BLUE.

Mitel MiVoice Connect: Understanding the End-of-Sale Timeline

Mitel, another major player, has announced the End-of-Sale for its MiVoice Connect platform, with the final new system sales set to end on July 6, 2024. Following this, add-on sales will stop by December 31, 2024, and all technical support will cease by December 31, 2029.

Key Deadlines for Mitel MiVoice Connect:

• July 6, 2024: End of new system sales.
• December 31, 2024: End of add-on sales.
• December 31, 2028: End of hardware repair.
• December 31, 2029: End of technical support.

Remaining on this platform exposes businesses to several risks, including cybersecurity vulnerabilities, limited scalability, and reduced support quality.

• Q: What is the End-of-Sale date for Mitel MiVoice Connect?
  A: The End-of-Sale for Mitel MiVoice Connect is July 6, 2024, with support ending by December 31, 2029.

The Risks of Staying on Sunsetting Telecom Platforms

Choosing to remain on legacy platforms like NEC PBX or Mitel MiVoice Connect comes with several risks:

• Cybersecurity Threats: Unsupported systems are vulnerable to security breaches and compliance issues.
• Operational Downtime: Reduced support can lead to increased downtime, affecting productivity and customer satisfaction.
• Competitive Disadvantage: Businesses using outdated technology may struggle to adopt new tools and integrations, falling behind competitors who are more agile and technologically advanced.

How Towner Can Help You Seamlessly Transition to Modern Solutions

Towner Communications is here to help businesses navigate the complex transition from legacy telecom systems. We offer a proven, end-to-end approach to ensure a smooth and successful migration:

1. Expert Assessment and Planning:

   • We begin with a detailed audit of your current telecom environment, identifying all critical components and potential integration challenges.
   • Our team develops a customized migration plan aligned with your business goals, minimizing disruption and maximizing efficiency.

2. Customized Solutions: From UCaaS to Hybrid Models:

   • UCaaS Migration: Move to a cloud-based platform like UNIVERGE BLUE or other leading UCaaS solutions, providing scalability, flexibility, and integrated communication tools.
   • Hybrid Solutions: For businesses not ready to fully transition to the cloud, we design hybrid models that integrate existing on-premises systems with cloud-based solutions, offering control and cloud benefits.

3. Seamless Integration with Existing Systems:

   • Our expertise includes integrating new communication solutions with your existing business tools (like Microsoft Teams, Salesforce, and other CRM platforms) to ensure a smooth transition without disrupting daily operations.

4. Experienced Migration from Legacy Systems:

   • Towner has successfully helped businesses transition from other sunsetting systems like Toshiba and Avaya, providing specialized support to address unique challenges such as data migration, user training, and maintaining business continuity.

5. Future-Proofing Your Business Communications with Towner:

   • We help you not only migrate but also future-proof your communications. Our solutions are designed to scale and adapt as your business grows, ensuring continuous access to the latest tools and technologies.