The background
South West Communications Group provides The Donkey Sanctuary with a strategic long-term partnership for all its communications needs following the initial installation of a telephone system in 1999.
The Donkey Sanctuary was founded by the late Dr Elisabeth Svendsen MBE and became a registered charity in 1969. The Donkey was left a legacy of 204 donkeys from another struggling charity and so purchased Slade House Farm in Sidmouth, Devon, to house its growing number of donkeys. The Donkey Sanctuary supports projects to relieve the suffering of donkeys in 27 countries worldwide through community education and veterinary work.
The challenge
The Donkey Sanctuary has been a long term customer of South West Communications Group following the installation of a 130-extension Alcatel 4400 PBX telephone solution in 1999 to replace the incumbent BT system. This installation marked the beginning of a successful relationship which has evolved over the years as The Donkey Sanctuary has grown and as developments in communications technology have helped the charity.
One of the key challenges was to overcome the limited Internet access created by challenging terrains of the East Devon coast. Internet access for the charity’s headquarters at Slade House Farm, neighbouring farms and network of farms and support workers around the UK all needed to be addressed.
The solution
Following the initial telephone system installation in 1999, South West Communications Group recommended an upgrade to an Alcatel-Lucent OmniPCX Enterprise solution in 2004. In addition, it provided a leased line for Internet access, broadband connectivity for its remote workers and farms, and wireless access for educational events and festivals as part of an evolving solution from a single supplier that comprises:
• Telephony for more than 250 users
• Free calls between sites using a converged voice and data network
• 20 broadband connections across the UK
• High-speed Internet access via a private leased line
• Wireless connectivity for events and live webcam
• Business continuity
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