I wish I could say it ain’t so, but this news is confirmed. Mitel has made an official lifecycle announcement that includes MiVoice Office 250 and other related solutions. Sometimes products come and go without much fanfare, but this one was a favorite of end-users and programmers alike.
In this blog, I’ll give you some important dates to keep track of and save you some time by outlining your next steps.
What Other Mitel Products and Solutions Are Affected?
In addition to MiVoice Office 250 — including all of its related components — this end-of-life announcement also includes the following solutions:
- Mitel’s 85xx Digital Phones
- MiVoice Office Application Suite
Important Technology End-of-Life Dates
There are quite a few dates to keep in mind, and because not all will affect all users, I’ve sorted them by solution.
MiVoice Office 250
This phone system, including the HX Controller and all marketing kits it’s found in, will be discontinued on January 31st, 2022. After this date, you won’t be able to buy any of these systems from Mitel. Additionally, you won’t be able to buy any parts for this system except for Software Assurance renewal parts, after June 30th, 2022.
After January 31st, 2023, there will be no scheduled software releases, and after June 30th, 2026, Mitel will no longer offer technical support apart from their Software Assurance offering.
85xx Digital Phones
Along with system cards, expansion cards, and bays, these will not be available after June 30th, 2022.
MiVoice Office Application Suite
This suite will no longer be offered by Mitel after January 31, 2023. No updates will be made after January 31, 2024, and the end of technical support will be June 30, 2027.
Why Is Mitel Phasing Out the MiVoice 250?
As frustrating as it can be when manufacturers stop making parts and designing updates for a popular product, they are a business like everybody else, and they need to keep up with where the market is going. In this case, Mitel stated that a significant percentage of small to midsize businesses are shifting to cloud voice and UCaaS apps like Microsoft Teams and Webex by Cisco — technologies that most have found to be worth implementing.
Want To Keep Using Your Mitel Phone System?
You already know what all of us phone experts will say — that something better is available, and now’s the best time to get a head start on finding a new solution. However, we’ve all been through a lot of changes in the past few years, and it’s understandable to want to get as much life out of your investment as you can — as long as it remains reliable and secure.
Fortunately, we have enough parts and components on hand to easily last a few more years. Also, as a Mitel Platinum partner, our technicians are certified to provide best-in-class support.
However, we can only help you troubleshoot and maintain your system, not overhaul the system itself. So if you don’t already have Software Assurance on your system, it’s a good idea to add it soon. This extra layer of support will help you access the latest features and security updates directly from Mitel.
Just don’t push it — past June 30th, 2026, there’s no guarantee your system will be protected from hackers or continue to perform reliably. And if the last few years have taught us anything, it’s always better to shop for solutions when you have plenty of time to decide.
Ready To Explore Other On-Premises or VoIP Phone Systems?
There’s no time like an EOL notice to make you reevaluate your current solution. I’m happy to report that you will probably be much happier with what’s now available. In addition to on-premises and cloud voice solutions that can make it much easier to bid farewell to the old MiVoice 250, there’s also a much more comprehensive communication solution — UCaaS, where voice calling meets video conferencing, conference rooms, scheduling, and more.
The Easy Way To Find the Best New Phone System
One big pain point in getting a new phone system is having to research it. If the biggest reason you’re sticking with your old system is you don’t want to have to hunt for a new one, then the good news is you don’t have to. Our phone experts will ask you some targeted questions about your organization, what you do, and how you do it, and pinpoint the best solutions. Who knows — once all is said and done, you might be happy that Mitel forced your hand.
