With the end of the fiscal year and the start of the next on the horizon, many schools are considering upgrades and changes to their communications system. Money in the budget that has yet to be spent, or a new allocation for the new fiscal year, is an excellent opportunity to reevaluate cost, efficiency, capabilities, and emergency response.
Here are things to consider.
The End of POTS?
Many schools and campuses that rely on an on-premises system are still using what the industry calls Plain Old Telephone Service, or POTS. In many areas, carriers are either eliminating POTS entirely or greatly increasing the costs.
Many carriers are pushing customers to convert on-premises systems that use a Primary Rate Interface (PRI) to one with a Session Initiated Protocol (SIP) service. Organizations that want to keep their existing phone systems will pay a hefty premium. With VOIP Networks, schools can keep their existing phone systems while enhancing their communications experience over a superior, redundant SIP network.
Schools can then opt for a hybrid system (that combines on-premises and cloud-based technology) or a fully managed private cloud-based system. Both can offer significant cost savings. Both alternatives also bring additional capabilities to schools and campuses. If designed correctly, they can also future-proof communications, allowing schools to implement the latest technology without disruption.
Benefits of Hybrid Communications
Many schools that aren’t ready to move all communications to the cloud—or want to manage costs by using as much existing hardware as possible—find hybrid systems an excellent solution.
The benefits of an on-premises system are many: easy to manage and monitor while leveraging the existing investment in on-site equipment. And it’s very secure.
The benefits of a cloud-based system are also many: it’s flexible, can be accessed from almost anywhere, and adding capabilities—such as integrating communications with other software—is relatively easy.
For an organization with an on-premises system, the decision to move to the cloud can be difficult, but it doesn’t have to be. A hybrid system that uses Mitel equipment and the Cloud9 managed private cloud platform makes it easy to reap the benefits of both configurations.
Compliance and Safety
Schools are more safety conscious than ever. Government regulations collectively known as E911 (Extended 911) require phones to communicate an exact location within a building to emergency personnel when calling 911. A system must tell emergency personnel what building and room the call is coming from.
In addition, schools need to communicate with teachers and staff quickly and efficiently when a possible emergency occurs. A notification on the intercom isn’t sufficient.
To help safeguard everyone in the building, Mitel offers a mass notification system called Mitel Revolution.
Mitel Revolution provides enhanced emergency notifications and real-time information using several methods. The result: On-premises and remote staff located virtually anywhere receive critical, accurate information and guidance quickly. The system can communicate with desktop PCs and desk phones, mobile phones, SMS text, intercom and paging systems, email, etc., to reach the widest possible audience with unprecedented speed.
Simplified Bidding
Organizations like Sourcewell, SHI, and MRA ease the RFP process by doing the most difficult work up front—bidding and vetting potential vendors—and offering partners that already meet price and reliability requirements. The “cooperative purchasing” process ensures that educational organizations benefit from a financially sound manufacturer that will meet their needs over the long haul. Schools also need to know that their new systems will be stable, reliable, and secure, while meeting all audit requirements.
Backed by five decades in the communications technology business, Mitel is Sourcewell’s preferred unified communications (UC) vendor. As one of Mitel’s largest and most prestigious channel partners, VOIP Networks has assisted numerous government and educational organizations, all of which have had different needs, different procurement checklists, and different levels of comfort with adopting new technology, to overcome whatever unique hurdles they face.
Reliability and Support
One of the biggest concerns many schools have about cloud-based technology is system reliability. Is it as stable and reliable as an on-premises system? The right partner can dispel those concerns with robust fail-safe and exemplary customer service.
VOIP Networks, for example, offers a managed private cloud with multi-instance architecture and geo-redundant data centers. Customers share their servers with no other users, unlike multi-tenant architecture (UCaaS), and each user’s dedicated hardware has numerous redundant sites in geographically diverse areas.
In addition, all VOIP Networks clients receive U.S.-based, white-glove support 24/7/365, starting even before the official engagement. When meeting with a school, VOIP Networks conducts focus groups and works with staff to identify their specific needs. The company also offers a complimentary proof-of-concept installation, which allows schools to try the equipment and software without obligation. Finally, to ensure that clients realize the maximum value from their communications investment, VOIP Networks provides full-system administrative and end-user training at no cost.
For more information, or to discuss your communication needs, please contact us at 800.494.0000 or sales@voipnetworks.com.