Avaya opens hi-tech HQ in Guildford for its UK, and Ireland operations

Avaya a global leader in corporate networking solutions and services, has completed the relocation of its new UK and Ireland headquarters to Guildford - a sophisticated and `intelligent` showcase for communications technologies.

Over the past seven months, Avaya has equipped a state-of-the-art facility making extensive use of its own communications products and services. The facility comprises two linked buildings covering an area of 120 000 square metres to provide a good working environment for its employees.

The new offices, located on Cathedral Hill, have been fitted with 270 miles of cabling - exceeding the length of the M1 motorway - to allow for high-speed broadband communications.

Also, the Guildford Campus houses a wireless network technology allowing the use of laptop computers to be connected to the network without wires and has VOIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) capability for voice calls. The calls run over the company`s data network, thereby reducing the cost of calls.

In October, an Executive Briefing Centre is scheduled to open which will showcase Avaya`s latest products and services for companies from all over Europe.

Avaya has given much thought to providing a positive working environment for its employees. The Campus is designed to give maximum exposure to natural daylight. Inside the open-plan offices, Avaya has provided a cashless canteen, serving breakfast right through to dinner, a dry-cleaners, a kiosk selling greeting cards to gifts, and an ATM machine, to help accommodate the needs of its employees.

In moving its UK headquarters to Guildford, Avaya has relocated 600 staff from offices in Fleet, Farnborough, Winchester, Ascot, Bracknell and Gerrards Cross. Also, Avaya has taken steps to be environmentally-friendly - such as running a car-sharing scheme and a bus service, to limit the impact of traffic congestion on the local roads and promote flexible working.

"Despite global economic uncertainty, we firmly believe that the market in which Avaya operates - IT and telecoms networks - has a bright future," said John Winchester, vice president and general manager of Avaya for UK and Ireland.

"Our decision to make our home in Guildford reflects our determination to be the market leader, and be recognised as an innovator and an employer of choice. We are committed to building a solid, long-term relationship with the local community, and helping to make the Guildford HQ a role model for other large companies. It is our intention to ensure our presence here is of maximum benefit to the people of Guildford and the surrounding areas."

The Guildford Campus` Executive Briefing Centre will act as a showcase for the company`s industry-leading communications technologies. It is expected that the centre will be visited by companies from around Europe and so enhance local commerce.