27 August 2008
Communications integrator supports public sector transformation targets with delivery of VoIP telephony
Fife Council is reaping the financial and business productivity benefits of a new IP-based communications network, which has seen more than 12,000 council phones across 350 sites replaced by advanced VoIP handsets.
Affiniti, the communications integrator which managed the switch as part of a wider project to deploy a fully converged communications network, delivered the system under budget within Fife’s ambitious 15 month timeframe. This deployment marks a new step toward Fife Council’s objective to provide its 360,000 residents with better access to services and support.
While the short-term budget savings from the project were immediately ploughed into improving the health and safety and performance of IT networks in schools across the region, the Council also anticipates significant cost savings and enhanced business productivity in the long-term.
Fife Council Project Manager, Lee Parry said, "Switching to a converged network represented a significant investment for us but there is no doubt of its value. We have already reduced our annual phone bill from £2.5million to £500,000 and expect to have recouped the £7.5million capital investment by 2015 with ongoing revenue savings from 2010."
The new VoIP system has given the organisation access to a log of telephony users and equipment, with individual phone numbers attributed to employees. They will be able to be reached on these numbers whether they are hot-desking or working from home.
The ability for employees to log in and out of their VoIP phones proved its worth in July when a small fire resulted in 60 staff from the Catering & Cleaning and Procurement & Supplies departments relocating immediately to alternative accommodation.
"The ability to have phone numbers 'follow' us proved invaluable, facilitating business as usual following this minor fire," noted Fife Council Programme Director, Linda Robertson. "We were able to continue working without any disruption to council services and without the need for external IT support – much more straightforward than it would have been with our old system."
Ian Smith, Affiniti's Sector Manager for Scotland oversaw the project, "Fife Council is one of a growing number of organisations which have identified communications as a key enabler for business transformation and future growth. By switching to a modern IP-based network, companies can then choose to implement change at their own pace.
Either way, the added flexibility of IP allows future services to be added and as Fife has seen, the immediate benefits in terms of financial savings, business continuity planning and productivity are clear and measurable, an important consideration for both public and private sector organisations in today’s economic climate."
Affiniti, the communications integrator, specialises in designing, implementing and managing intelligent communications solutions for private and public sector organisations.
Some of its customers include: Experian, Carphone Warehouse, British Airways, Ford, Admiral Insurance, Edinburgh Telford College, Royal Liverpool & Broadgreen Hospital, Cheshire Police, Citigroup and Lloyds TSB.
Affiniti is part of the KCOM Group.
KCOM Group PLC provides a range of integrated IT and communications services to businesses, and internet and telecommunications services to selected consumer markets, within the UK.
The Group's portfolio of businesses works with both leading private enterprise customers and public sector organisations. Through its Affiniti, Smart421 and JAM IP brands, the Group delivers solutions covering unified communications, contact centre solutions, data management, applications integration and managed services.
The KCOM Group also includes a regionally-focused business, Kingston Communications, which supports small to medium-sized businesses. Through its KC and Eclipse brands, the business offers a wide range of internet-based and telecommunications services. The regional business also provides telephony and internet services to targeted consumers through its KC, Eclipse and Karoo brands.
The Group is listed on the London Stock Exchange and employs over 2,500 people across the UK.
Cristina Whittington
Nelson Bostock Communications
020 7229 4400
E: cristina.whittington@nelsonbostock.com
Cathy Phillips
KCOM Group
01482 602400
E: cathy_phillips@kcom.com
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