Panasonic's Drop ListPanasonic's Drop List

Panasonic issued a memo to its dealer base stating:

Panasonic issued a memo to its dealer base stating:

What shouldn't be surprising is this gear is available through the gray market, eBay, Panasonic dealers and even still some of the listed gear is still stocked in distribution. So, is this an indicator that TDM is dead?

Hardly. Panasonic is still selling its analog key advanced hybrid equipment KX-TA824 and KX-TAW848. They also offer their Hybrid IP KX-TDA50, 100, 200, 600 and then their pure IP-PBXs: KX-TDE100 and 200. This is their product line up and it's pretty focused on the SMB market.

Does it mean that customers can't get support? Depending upon their dealers they may get support or hear that "the product is no longer 'directly' supported by call center staff at Panasonic and [they] need to upgrade to a newer system."

It seems that the migration path isn't what all the marketing suggests. While we will continue to see the end of factory support of many analog and even digital TDM boxes; still, we won't see the elimination of TDM. Then, all the manufacturers of old do have Hybrid solutions in place and many of these systems, just like Panasonic's Hybrid 100, 200 and 600; can transform by minor changes (processor card and software) to a pure IP-PBX box that retains most of the customer's original investment in hardware and software.

Panasonic also states twice in their memo that, "these products have been withdrawn from marketing for a number of years."

Yes, maybe it's time to move on but only at the customers' convenience (or sometimes at inopportune moments). TDM, at least for Panasonic, isn't dead and still has a following; same for Avaya, NEC, Nortel to name a few. Else why do they keep making TDM boxes?

The migration path is in fact, not what many had envisioned or continue to argue as the death of the TDM. Instead, holding onto assets (investments) that work well with little maintenance, continues to be what the SMB expects and demands. I also think this is truly reflected in Panasonic's product lineup and in almost everyone else's offerings that are considered as "traditional" manufacturers. Until customer perceptions of telephony change and IP telephony aligns itself with those perceptions, TDM and Hybrid IP-PBXs are menu choices that will likely be here for some time.

These products have been withdrawn from sales for a number of years. Support for these products will be provided to registered Dealers. Support for these products includes on-line documentation and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). Dealers seeking technical support at the Panasonic BTS Technical Support Center will be referred to the web site.

What shouldn't be surprising is this gear is available through the gray market, eBay, Panasonic dealers and even still some of the listed gear is still stocked in distribution. So, is this an indicator that TDM is dead?

Hardly. Panasonic is still selling its analog key advanced hybrid equipment KX-TA824 and KX-TAW848. They also offer their Hybrid IP KX-TDA50, 100, 200, 600 and then their pure IP-PBXs: KX-TDE100 and 200. This is their product line up and it's pretty focused on the SMB market.

Does it mean that customers can't get support? Depending upon their dealers they may get support or hear that "the product is no longer 'directly' supported by call center staff at Panasonic and [they] need to upgrade to a newer system."

It seems that the migration path isn't what all the marketing suggests. While we will continue to see the end of factory support of many analog and even digital TDM boxes; still, we won't see the elimination of TDM. Then, all the manufacturers of old do have Hybrid solutions in place and many of these systems, just like Panasonic's Hybrid 100, 200 and 600; can transform by minor changes (processor card and software) to a pure IP-PBX box that retains most of the customer's original investment in hardware and software.

Panasonic also states twice in their memo that, "these products have been withdrawn from marketing for a number of years."

Yes, maybe it's time to move on but only at the customers' convenience (or sometimes at inopportune moments). TDM, at least for Panasonic, isn't dead and still has a following; same for Avaya, NEC, Nortel to name a few. Else why do they keep making TDM boxes?

The migration path is in fact, not what many had envisioned or continue to argue as the death of the TDM. Instead, holding onto assets (investments) that work well with little maintenance, continues to be what the SMB expects and demands. I also think this is truly reflected in Panasonic's product lineup and in almost everyone else's offerings that are considered as "traditional" manufacturers. Until customer perceptions of telephony change and IP telephony aligns itself with those perceptions, TDM and Hybrid IP-PBXs are menu choices that will likely be here for some time.