VoIP helps council cut costs

Operating across seven sites and employing 450 people, the council requires a converged network infrastructure capable of supporting VoIP technology.

According to network provider Indigo, the new network is based on an Alcatel-Lucent Omni PCX Enterprise system and provides the council with a more cost-effective and easy-to-manage voice and data solution, including rich contact centre functions for incoming calls.

The VoIP network also interconnects all of the council’s main sites with advanced routing capabilities, sending all internal telephone calls to subsidiary sites free of charge.

Jenny Hall, ICT operations manager for the council, said: "Although it is more sophisticated, the new system is more straightforward to use. It will allow us to incorporate FMC and other advanced features as and when we need them - making us future proof."

Last week saw mobile VoIP get the backing of Howard Spink, director for customer interactive solutions at IT services and solution provider Dimension Data.

Mr Spink said the technology can help customer service staff become a more responsive "mobile workforce".