The background
South West Communications Group provides Norton Hill School with a flexible and cost-effective IP telephony solution using its existing data local area network to ensure it remains at the forefront of communications technology.
Norton Hill School, in Midsomer Norton, Somerset, is one of the country’s highest achieving secondary schools with an OFSTED inspection in 2007 judging it to be “outstanding” (the highest possible grade) in every single 1 of the 38 categories. It serves 1,400 pupils from Midsomer Norton and the surrounding villages in north east Somerset.
The challenge
Norton Hill’s existing Samsung telephone system had become outdated and was full to capacity. The addition of new classroom blocks being built on site prompted the school to upgrade the entire system.
As a school with a reputation for excellence in all areas, it wanted a telephone system that would be at the forefront of communications technology and have the flexibility to facilitate future growth and changing requirements.
The school wanted to reduce costs where possible and also to have the ability to handle a high level of calls, especially early in the morning when the reception staff are particularly busy taking calls regarding student absenteeism.
Norton Hill School was keen to minimise disruption for their staff and students, so any work undertaken would need to be carried out in the 6-week summer break.
The solution
South West Communications Group used the schools existing data network to support an Alcatel-Lucent IP telephony system as part of a flexible solution that included the following:
- IP telephony system
- Automated attendant, including absence mailbox
- Virtual pigeon holes for staff
- Direct dial-in (DDI) numbers
- Call barring
- Tannoy facility
- System management
- Call routing
- On-going support
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