The biggest private Dect installation in the southern hemisphere is being completed by Philips Business Communications at Iscor`s Vanderbijlpark Works.
Iscor has been a Philips client for many years and has taken advantage of the company`s evergreen policy to upgrade its systems to meet its more complex requirements. In developing new products Philips always has existing clients` base in mind to give them a seamless upgrade path.
With a total staff of 12 400 working on the huge site, Iscor`s needs have changed from the conventional office bound staff situation to a multi-functional responsibility which requires staff to stay in contact whilst on the move. Failure to communicate can result in downtime, loss of production, more scrap and increased costs but with the new system people are always available and production problems can be dealt with as they arise.
Philips` SOPHO iS 3000 installation, together with an extensive Dect cordless telephone network has provided the solution to Iscor`s mobility needs whilst also providing a cost efficient service which minimises production downtime and the losses than can result.
A total of 100 Dect cells have been provided in fixed structures over an area of some 23 square kilometres. In addition 500 cordless Dect handsets have been supplied for use by workers who are often away from their desks but can take calls without delays thereby obviating any disruptions to the plant.
According to Iscor this has already improved communications and the reachability of mobile personnel beyond recognition. The reliance on pagers, mobile phones and cordless phones has been eliminated resulting in greater efficiencies. Further cost savings will be realised if people move offices as no relocation costs are involved.
The requests for cordless telephones has increased by 200% and the additional cost incurred is considered negligible compared to the enormous benefits.
Iscor`s system was originally based on a two node configuration and was vulnerable if the cable broke resulting in possible disastrous consequences. It evolved with disaster recovery mechanisms. Following discussions it was decided to make it a decentralised network and therefore six nodes were placed strategically throughout the works. Further it was decided to split the Telkom feed and bring it in on separate nodes in the network, one being fibre optic and the other microwave. These feeds originate from two different Telkom exchanges to minimise the effect of failure.
This is also the first installation in South Africa where private dialing with a PIN number has been implemented on such a large scale.
Iscor had identified the need to offer every employee access to a telephone for private use. Administration of this facility had to be kept to a minimum. Previously Iscor relied on the operators to make private calls on behalf of the employee. This system resulted in an enormous overload on the operator, involving between 18 000 and 20 000 calls per week, and resulted in delays and poor service.
The recovery of the private call cost increased from 12% of the total telephone account to 22% since implementation although the total Telkom account remains unchanged.
A private PIN code allows the employee to make a private call from any telephone. The cost of the call is then charged to the individual. No administration is required since the process of debiting the employees account is automatic. Employees` using the PIN code currently constitute approximately 90% of all private calls. A spin-off benefit is the accurate recovery of call costs incurred by private calls and abuse is minimised since the employee pays for the call.
The implementation of the private dialing function in no way restricts the normal business operation since business calls can be made in the normal way by opening the telephone with a business password.
Further value is added as multi media facilities are available at the user`s desk, video conferencing is available and ISDN basic rate connections. Enhanced voice facilities, digital telephones and key system functionality are also available.
Whilst no Y2K upgrade is required, should Iscor`s needs change, Philips` evergreen policy will ensure a seamless upgrade path.
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