Mitel MiVoice Connect Announces End of Life – Now what?

Look back at how we got here.

• Mitel bought ShoreTel in 2017 with the aspiration of getting into the cloud (UCaaS) world with ShoreTel’s cloud offering.
• Private Equity (Searchlight Capital) then bought Mitel in 2018, planning to be #1 or #2 in UCaaS.
• The pandemic hit, and Zoom and Teams took off, leaving Mitel in 7^th place in the UCaaS space and going in the wrong direction.
• Searchlight decided to kill the Mitel Connect Cloud UCaaS product by partnering with Ring Central to move those customers over.

In 2022, Mitel announced the End-of-Life of the ShoreTel/MiVoice Connect (premise PBX) for the end of 2029. We all thought that meant software patches for OS and security concerns would continue to be updated through the end of 2029, but we were wrong.

Mitel recently moved up its End-of-Development for ShoreTel & Mitel MiVoice Connect users from 2029 to 2025, announcing no additional OS updates, patches, or security updates after December 31, 2025. MiVoice Connect will be supported in a maintenance-only mode through Dec 2029.

While Mitel is adhering to the “Letter” of the Agreement by supporting Connect until 2029, we feel they missed the “Spirit” of the Agreement by fundamentally ending support by ending software updates at the end of 2025.

The end of development fundamentally ends the support of the product in Packet Fusion’s eyes. Essentially, users have two years to devise a plan to either get their existing system up to date and secure or formulate a plan to move to the cloud.

The end-of-design announcement for the Mitel MiVoice product typically indicates that the manufacturer, Mitel, will no longer be designing or producing new versions or updates for this specific product line. For users of the Mitel MiVoice systems, this announcement can have several implications:

1. No New Features or Updates: The product will no longer receive new features or design updates. This means that the technology may become outdated over time compared to newer products in the market.
2. Limited Support: While Mitel may continue to support the MiVoice products for a certain period, this support will likely be limited. It could mean reduced availability of technical assistance and potentially longer wait times for service.
3. Security Risks: One significant impact is on security. As the product will not receive new updates, any future vulnerabilities discovered may not be addressed, which could increase security risks.
4. Replacement Planning: Users may need to start planning to replace their MiVoice systems with newer technology. This could involve budgeting for new hardware, software, and potentially training staff on the new systems.
5. Compatibility Issues: Over time, compatibility with new technologies or software may become an issue, as the MiVoice system will not be updated to work seamlessly with the latest technology.

Explore the Cloud

We live in an “as a service” world for almost everything, and the communications world is no different. Exploring unified communications (UCaaS) and contact center (CCaaS) platforms that consolidate technology across phone messaging and meetings is worthwhile. No one is more experienced in connecting you to the right enterprise communication solution than Packet Fusion.

Receive a Complimentary ShoreTel/Mitel System Review

Is your ShoreTel/Mitel system working the way the manual said it should? Take our no-charge ShoreTel/Mitel system review and improve the performance of your existing phone system. Let us help you assess your needs, create a roadmap to harden your system, or seek a path to the cloud for UCaaS.

Psst >> Curious about the future of Mitel?

If you are interested in reading about an interview between Packet Fusion CEO Matt Pingatore and Mitel CEO Tarun Loomba about the future direction of Mitel, [click here].

Have you read our latest blog on “What if I do nothing?” and ignore the short-term end-of-design and 2029 end-of-life warnings? We answer that question in this video/blog series.

About Mitel MiVoice Connect

Mitel MiVoice Connect, previously known as ShoreTel Connect, is a business communications platform offering a range of features for voice, video, and collaboration. It’s designed to meet the needs of modern businesses, providing a unified communications solution. Here are some key aspects of MiVoice Connect:

1. Unified Communications: MiVoice Connect integrates voice, video, messaging, conferencing, and collaboration tools into a single platform, making it easier for teams to communicate and collaborate.
2. Flexibility and Scalability: The system is known for its flexibility and scalability, making it suitable for businesses of various sizes, from small companies to large enterprises.
3. User-Friendly Interface: It offers a user-friendly interface, allowing easy access to its features, such as voicemail, call handling, and directory services.
4. Collaboration Tools: MiVoice Connect includes collaboration tools like instant messaging, audio and video conferencing, and desktop sharing, enhancing team collaboration.
5. Mobile Integration: With features for mobile integration, users can stay connected with their teams and access communications tools from anywhere, using their mobile devices.
6. Customization and Integration: The platform allows for customization and integration with other business applications, such as CRM systems, to streamline workflows.
7. Cloud, On-Premises, or Hybrid Deployment: MiVoice Connect can be deployed in the cloud, on-premises, or as a hybrid solution, giving businesses the flexibility to choose the best model for their needs.
8. Reliability and Security: It is designed with a focus on reliability and security, ensuring that communications are secure and the system has high availability.
9. Cost-Effectiveness: For businesses looking to consolidate their communication tools, MiVoice Connect can be a cost-effective solution, reducing the need for multiple disparate systems.
10. Support and Services: Mitel offers support and services for MiVoice Connect, helping businesses with implementation, maintenance, and troubleshooting.

About Packet Fusion ShoreTel/Mitel Support

Packet Fusion is a provider of unified communications solutions and support services, and they are known for offering support for Mitel products, including MiVoice systems. When it comes to Packet Fusion’s support for Mitel systems, here are some key aspects to consider:

1. Expertise in Mitel Products: Packet Fusion specializes in Mitel solutions, offering deep expertise in the installation, maintenance, and support of Mitel’s range of products, including MiVoice.
2. Comprehensive Support Services: Their support services for Mitel products typically include troubleshooting, technical support, system updates, and maintenance. They may also offer consulting services to optimize the use of Mitel products in your business.
3. Customization and Integration: Packet Fusion can assist businesses in customizing and integrating Mitel systems with other business tools and applications, ensuring a seamless communication experience.
4. Training and User Adoption: They often provide training for end-users and IT staff to ensure that businesses can fully leverage the features and capabilities of their Mitel systems.
5. Migration and Upgrade Assistance: For businesses looking to upgrade to newer Mitel systems or migrate from other platforms, Packet Fusion can offer guidance and support throughout the migration process.
6. Managed Services: Some businesses opt for managed services, where Packet Fusion would handle all aspects of their Mitel communication systems, from setup to ongoing management and support.
7. Scalability and Growth Planning: They can assist businesses in scaling their Mitel solutions as the business grows, ensuring that the communication infrastructure evolves in line with business needs.
8. Reliability and Availability: Packet Fusion aims to provide reliable support to minimize downtime and ensure that communication systems are always running smoothly.
9. Custom Service Agreements: They may offer customizable service agreements to match the specific needs and budget constraints of different businesses.
10. Post-Implementation Support: Beyond initial implementation, ongoing support is critical, and Packet Fusion typically provides this to ensure that Mitel systems continue to operate effectively.

For businesses using Mitel products, especially those without extensive in-house IT resources, partnering with a provider like Packet Fusion for support can be beneficial. It ensures that they get the most out of their Mitel communication systems and that any issues are promptly addressed by experts. Click here to learn more about Packet Fusion ShoreTel/Mitel Support.