The British Museum embraces VoIP

The British Museum has deployed a VoIP network as part of a major upgrade of technology infrastructure at the London-based attraction.

Pinacl Solutions was awarded the five-year contract to implement the VoIP infrastructure alongside a brand new CCTV network and IT support system.

Graham Head, head of information systems at the museum, told Computer Weekly: "Our immediate requirements were for unified technology with a single point of management."

"We also needed a network that we could extend rapidly as required," he added.

Pinacl conducted beta testing for the use of a wide variety of products, including wireless technology and PDAs, to gauge feasibility for future use.

New communications and IT infrastructure also had to be implemented throughout all the listed buildings of the British Museum.

This meant that Pinacl had to be careful not to interfere with the architectural wood, plaster or mouldings while installing the new technology or drill holes in excess of 25mm without permission.