The University of the West of England (UWE) is using the
newly merged Alcatel-Lucent telecoms combo to install a converged
communications network for staff and students that will cut
costs.
The project, led by Alcatel-Lucent business partner South West
Communications Group, involves migrating UWE to a dual IP/TDM
network environment and connecting seven different campuses with
IP-based voice and data collaboration.
The university also plans to install several departmental
contact centres, and to extend the Alcatel-Lucent solution to all
4,000 UWE users over the next few years.
To reduce the cost of circuit rentals, Bristol-based UWE has
already deployed a VoIP solution with the Alcatel-Lucent OmniPCX
Enterprise IP-PBX phone system, supported by Alcatel-Lucent's
OmniVista network management platform.
Users have been equipped with Alcatel-Lucent IP Touch 4018 and
4028 handsets to enable IP call features, while the system supports
a number of DECT wireless handset users on a single site.
The key driver of the project was a new UWE student village and
sports centre, both of which required communications links with
other sites and campuses.
As it examined ways to reduce the cost of campus-wide
communications, the university proposed a converged voice and data
network migration that would not only cut costs, but also have the
potential to improve internal processes throughout the entire
organisation.
"The introduction of the new facilities marked the perfect
opportunity for us to conduct an overhaul of our existing
communications infrastructure," said Jonathan Barstow, UWE telecoms
team leader.
Barstow added, "Linking our new buildings using IP telephony has
not only reduced call costs and management overheads, it has also
improved our communications. The next stage is for us to roll out
these benefits across the university's seven campuses and introduce
unified communications solutions that will further enhance staff
and student collaboration."
The value of the contract has not been announced.
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