Choice Technologies, an IT systems and integration company, has successfully implemented an improved communications backbone at the Department of Water Affairs, Roodeplaat Dam division. The new IP telephony system based on the original local area network (LAN) platform, delivers voice connections and new advanced telephony features to over 100 Water Affairs employees.
Water Affairs previously used an outdated analogue telephony system. With the new system in place, the department is now able to reduce its communications expenses with an estimated 35% over the next three years.
"We`re improving our services to citizens while cutting our operating costs - and in this age of streamlined government budgets, that`s very important," says Ulrich Looser, assistant director of Resource Quality Services (a division of the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry).
Based on 3Com`s NBX IP Telephony solution, the new system delivers built-in processing features, built-in: voice mail, automated attendant, hunt/call groups, call detail reporting, computer telephony integration (CTI), and PC-based visual voice mail/e-mail. Additionally, it features NBX system software that simplifies third-party applications integration and offers extensive multi-site IP connectivity options.
By connecting three operation centres at Roodeplaat through a secure virtual private network (VPN), the department also made savings on wiring and installation, ongoing maintenance and administration.
"The old system did not offer the call management features required and caused bottlenecks. Additionally, our area is also often affected by cable theft and the new system based on a combination of LAN and Ethernet connections overcomes these challenges," says Looser.
Adds Mark Morey, Choice Technologies sales executive: "The new system was chosen for its superior performance, pricing and low total cost of ownership. The converged 3Com voice and data network is dramatically improving Water Affairs` responsiveness to citizens, research groups and other government departments.
"The advantage of the NBX system is its simplicity and ease-of-use. As NBX is Ethernet-based, the department is still able to rely on the existing network infrastructure for phone service without the need to use separate cabling. Moreover, the scalability of the NBX system ensures that the department`s telephony needs will be met well into the future," says Morey.
The 3Com NBX system was implemented within two weeks and to ensure user adoption Choice Technologies conducted onsite training sessions.
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