Now if the word “recycling” evokes images of waste paper in kerbside tubs, or the bottle bank at Tesco, don’t worry if you think we’re about to suggest that you put your expensive Meridian Option PABX out for the dustman. The market is not that bad yet. But it’s not far off.

Like so many other perfectly servicable used telephone systems, the dash to VOIP has resulted in a tide of late-model BT Meridian Nortel Option 11, Option 61 and Option 81 phone systems coming onto the market. Some have been upgraded to “level 25″ software in recent times at considerable expense. Yes, this is the software that the salesman told you would ensure that “your investment would be protected” until the sun was taken out of service due to its environmental impact on global warming. Or later, perhaps. Tragically, there are lots of systems displaced by “VOIP boxes” that look like ending up in “telecomms orphanage”. Pampered and formerly valuable, but unloved and homeless. Yes, it really is that bad. Why?

One point to remember is the sheer number of BT Meridian Option 11, Option 61 and Option 81 used phone systems installed across the UK. More installed, means, therefore, more de-installed as the market changes, which means more systems looking for a home.

Oh, and around software release 25, BT/Nortel began to restrict the use of spare slots on systems. Simply, you bought a system based on what the working configuration was at “day one”, meaning that you could not simply slip in a used card into an empty slot. If you needed more capacity, the slot needed to be activated. For a price. Likewise for upgrades, gaining new features meant losing the right to use the empty slots. The net result of this shrewd marketing move was that it became less attractive to add on to an existing system with used equipment. And the number of systems “out there” was decreasing anyway, all these factors making the resale potential look distinctly poor.

So, to make it absolutely clear, more systems coming out, an oversupply of parts, restrictions on reuse, and fewer opportunities to reinstall displaced equipment. This is why we may not be bidding for your old Option 11. I hope you will understand.

Remarkably, in some cases, it is possible to find a new home for your very expensive PABX. Here’s an outline of what a potential buyer will need from you:-

Keycode Sheets(s):- this lists the total potential capacity of the system and the software packages installed. Very few systems are the same, most different. This data has a marked influence on value. If voice mail is installed, then you will need to find the one for the mail module as well. Look for a blue card A5-sized wallet with A4 sheets inside it. You are safe to pass copies of these on to a potential buyer, as there’s nothing confidential or security-related on them. But keep the originals.

Card Listing:- Just what it says. There will be a designator “FALC”, “DLC” “SSC”, plus a part number “NTAK79BC” or similar, plus a “Release Number” (”Rls 05″) on each card. Oh, and quantities of these cards as well (please!)

Telephones:- Often called “terminals”. Disregard any analogue ones, but look for the “system telephones” normally equipped with an LCD display, and with a number on the base “M3820″, “M2616D”. In the case of the 2616D series, the letters “EH” indicate a model that may be more desirable than others. List colours, and if the body of the telephone has been faded by sunlight (common with light grey ones).

Finally, drop us a line, as we may be able to help. We do have access to a “lonely hearts club” web facility for systems looking for a new home which occasionally gives good results.

And, has this slump meant that parts are being sold at silly prices?  Well, yes and no. In the case of “no”, it’s because stockists are trying to realise some return on inventory that has been sitting in storage for a long time, in some cases years. And any ethical reseller will not want to depress the market any further for the sake of a quick return.

Meanwhile, we hope that the market gets better. But we don’t think it will. Sorry.

Rob Govier

Telecom Green Ltd