NEC has been a staple in the voice communications industry for decades, with a history of over 100 years in business. At the end of 2024, NEC will stop selling on-premise phone systems. Users of existing NEC phones will need to create a plan to move off of them. In this blog, we’ll help you navigate through these changes. We share how you can move off NEC’s phone systems and help your business communicate in a modern, secure, and effective way.
When is NEC decommissioning on-premise phones?
Technically, as of December 31, 2024, NEC will no longer be producing these or selling them. There may still be inventory available elsewhere, but they will not be actively selling on-premise phones – including the popular SL2100 & SV9100 models.
Can I still get NEC support for my existing phones?
Technically, you can still get parts until the inventory runs out. However, for technical support, existing extended warranties will be honored, but NEC plans to end support for on-premise models in 2026.
What should you do if you currently have on-premise NEC phones?
It’s a great time to reevaluate your existing communications solutions. What’s holding you back from leveraging a cloud solution? There are benefits to using cloud technologies, from scalability to flexibility. If you’ve been using an on-premise solution because it’s what you’ve always done, there’s no better time for change.
Modern cloud-based communications suites are a great choice for most businesses. Unified Communications (UCaaS) solutions provide your organization with the tools to communicate seamlessly through video, voice, chat, and more. Advanced features like file sharing, channels, and large meeting capabilities give your team even more ways to collaborate.
As with any shift, the key is planning ahead. Knowing that NEC will stop selling and supporting on-premise phone systems in the future, you can plan for your next move now. Creating a roadmap for a strategic implementation of a new UCaaS solution gives you time to budget accordingly, train your team, and foster adoption internally. Avoid having to make an impulse decision on technology that’s so integral to your business. Taking a proactive approach can save money, as well as make the migration to a new communications solution smoother – and less stressful.
ADNET’s recommendation
We’re a huge advocate of Microsoft Teams, which we’ve been using for years. Being able to communicate effectively regardless of physical location is huge – especially for a company with multiple offices, partners located globally, and a hybrid, work-from-anywhere approach. But even if everyone’s in one space, Teams offers plenty of benefits – from competitive pricing to easily scalable licensing.
Arguably one of the biggest perks to a system like Teams is how it seamlessly, securely creates an extension of the technology to mobile devices. Your team not only has access to video conferencing and chat on their laptops – they have it on their mobile devices as well. Your cellphone literally becomes a secure extension of your business UCaaS solution. Whether you’re walking around the office or out of town on a business trip, you have a complete Unified Communications Solution at your fingertips.
As we’ve shared previously – Teams really can replace your existing phone system. If Teams isn’t the right fit for you, there are other cloud options available that offer similar benefits.
ADNET can help you make the change from an on-premise phone system to a reliable, secure, cloud-based solution, including Teams and others. Reach out to us to learn more – we’re here to help!
