Radio Algoa recently relocated and upgraded its office infrastructure. Part of this often painful process - which was conducted without interruption of the station`s broadcast services - was the smooth installation of 3Com LAN PBX systems, sold and supported by Telkom.
The basis of the LAN telephony system is a 3Com NBX 100 unit connected via an ISDN PRI (Primary Rate Interface) line. This networks 30 external lines with the ability to increase lines at a later stage by adding an additional PRI card.
The station has been able to take advantage of a number of productivity-enhancing features which the system offers as standard, such as: voicemail, full CTI (computer telephony integration) and unified messaging, which allows users to integrate both voice and e-mail messages in the same application.
The specification outlined by the station head, Jacques Wessels, was to provide plenty of extensions with a central reception link with the full ability to audit numbers dialled, duration of calls and the parties involved in each call. Ease of installation and configuration were additional advantages.
Head of the station`s technical team, Alfie Jay, was very complimentary regarding the support provided by Telkom. "Full marks to the Telkom ITX guys who came well prepared and very professionally completed the installation," he said.
The primary focus was on cost control and the telephones used offer hands-free speaker and voicemail functions, greatly improving office efficiency and the user-friendly interface with the staff. Even the overall cost of the high-tech system compared favourably with equivalent analogue systems, while still offering simplicity and ease of use that Jay describes as "mind-blowing".
"Requiring only a single-cabling infrastructure for both computers and phones, made the installation a true plug-and-play experience," he says. "After the initial switch on and a quick IP-address configuration, we could use the system." He points out that the time from opening the boxes to having a fully functional network was about six hours.
One thing management at the station are pleased about are the easily-implemented, advanced control systems. "It is almost a case of: `If you think it, you can do it,`" Jay says. The range of functions available from the system - even straight out of the box - cover almost every conceivable administrator requirement. Call barring and access can be set for different parameters at different times of day, allowing users to do their work without the problem of unauthorised use after hours.
There is also a comprehensive call report management program which stores raw data in a database which an administrator can access for producing customised records of call activity.
Radio Algoa anticipates at least a three- to five-year lifecycle as the system is very scalable for future expansion. For now, says Jay, "We do not need to add a single item as it comes as a full-house standard." In addition to the 3Com NBX, Radio Algoa also uses 3Com switches across their IT network backbone. Asked what he thinks about 3Com as a technology partner, Jay`s reply is simple: "To date, we have not needed any backup - everything just keeps working."
He is equally impressed with Telkom ITX: "They are extremely helpful, knowledgeable and - most importantly - fast."
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