New School Phone system – Are you ready for IP Telephony Term 4?
If your PABX Phone system is an aging legacy system, then you need to evaluate options for a new communications IP (Internet Protocol) Telephony System.
IP technology was originally about the DATA network in most schools but now you must include voice and video communication on the one network. Principals – You need to ensure your network is actually ready for IP telephony as it allows community collaboration, anywhere / anytime virtualised access and better communications.
Why implement IP Telephony?
- Reduce Telecommunications costs ( including mobile phones)
- Use your current Data Network and have Voice, Data, Video, Paging and IM on one network
- You can call directly between classes
- Use for incoming and outgoing calls
- All staff can have IP based phones
- Instant messaging (IM) for staff anywhere, anytime
- Integrate voice mail and email through staff notebooks and PCs
- Staff can access parent’s numbers while in class
- School can send automated messages about absenteeism
- Parents and Teachers can interact faster
- Make security calls for emergencies while in the classroom
- Broadcast school messages
- Send emails and voicemails to staff and parents
- Ensure cheaper conference and long distance calls
- Save on broadcast speaker systems
- No need for Multiple expensive cable wiring runs
- Moves, Adds and Changes for staff are easier
Operational efficiency including the Phone system is any school’s aim. The new IP phone system must have:
- “QOS” – Quality of Service
- Support for data, voice, video, pagers and other mobile devices
- Redundancy in the case of any potential failure i.e. power/ switch failures either in the school LAN or WAN network
- Budget Benefits - able to have Unified Communication but with cost savings
- Security / Safety measures in place
- Management tools that make it easy to add/ modify new users
- Time allocated = Minimal Staff Servicing time
- Mobile Phone / new devices connectivity
- Integration with applications such as Outlook and CRM solutions to allow Unified Communications
Note: IP Telephony is different to VoIP. IP telephony uses your private network for calls not the Public Internet. VoIP uses the Public Internet therefore bypasses the usual TELCO providers.
If you would like a CHECKLIST to plan your IP Telephony Project or just advice, please call 1300 368 010 or email us.