EXHIBIT 23.1


                          INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT


     We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement
(Form  S-8)  pertaining  to the  Inter-Tel,  Incorporated  1997  Employee  Stock
Purchase  Plan of our  report  dated  February  13,  2002  with  respect  to the
consolidated  financial  statements of the Company included in its Annual Report
on Form 10-K for the year ended  December  31,  2001 and the  related  financial
statement  schedule  included  therein,  filed with the  Securities and Exchange
Commission.


/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Ernst & Young LLP

Phoenix, Arizona
April 29, 2002