NetStar implements IP telephony for Pitcher Partners

Stan Beer
Wednesday, 21 September 2005 11:00

IT Industry - Deals

ICT solutions provider, NetStar Australia, has been chosen by large second tier accounting firm Pitcher Partners to deploy a converged Cisco IP Telephony solution.

The solution includes unified messaging, wireless communication and desktop video capability for four hundred staff in Pitcher Partners’ new Melbourne offices.

Pitcher Partners provides accountancy services to businesses of all sizes. IP Telephony had been considered in the past and with the move to a greenfields site, the benefits were obvious, accoring to the company.

“We understood the benefits that IP Telephony could deliver and migrating our old PABX solution didn’t make sense,” said Damon Burgess, IT director at Pitcher Partners.

“The reduced costs, increased efficiencies and sophisticated applications that IP Telephony offers meant it was the best choice. It will also enable us to continue to improve our communications infrastructure in future as new applications and capabilities become available,” he said.

With staff spread across four floors, there was a need to deliver efficient communications capabilities. NetStar Australia proposed a solution including Cisco and Performance Solution (PSL) equipment and wireless communications to deliver new capabilities and employee mobility.

“Our email calendars are now integrated with the voicemail system for unified messaging,” Burgess said. “When a call comes in, the system looks at the person’s calendar. If they are in a meeting, it delivers a tailored message to let the caller know when they will be available, rather than routing them to a standard voicemail message.”

Previously, Pitcher Partners had a DECT phone system to enable support staff members to stay mobile whilst making and receiving calls around the office. To deliver this functionality over the IP network, a Cisco Aironet Wireless solution was implemented to overlay the four floors with wireless capability.

“Utilising wireless IP handsets means that support staff can maintain mobility around the office,” Burgess said. “Our next step will be to make wireless capability available to any device and extend the ability to work wirelessly around the office to more staff.”

Future plans also include exploring the ability to deliver XML applications to the Cisco screenphones.

“There are a plethora of options available in delivering XML applications to screenphone handsets,” said Alex Hill, senior account manager at NetStar Australia. “Pitcher Partners will look at pushing information out to staff including messaging and Internet feeds. There is also the possibility of integrating functions such as control of security or audio visual systems via the screenphone interface.”

“An immediate benefit for Pitcher Partners was the costs savings associated with rolling out a single cable across the new office space, rather than separate cables for voice and data,” said Hill.

“Staff and customers will also benefit from the efficiencies delivered by the unified messaging and wireless solutions.”

The final piece in the new converged solution is desktop videoconferencing, which will be implemented over the coming months.

“We want to push the boundaries of the office, allow partners to work remotely when needed and enable staff to participate in video conferencing from their office,” Burgess said.

“NetStar Australia is seen as having expertise in networks, not just voice, and they were able to provide guaranteed quality of service. You really don’t start to appreciate the potential that a converged solution offers until you begin the implementation. This is really just the start and we are looking forward to further enhancements and the additional benefits this system can deliver,” he said.