Leveraging the reach of existing school data networks, Verizon and Alcatel are deploying a 27 000-line Internet protocol (IP) telephony system for the Clark County School District (CCSD) that will connect more than 300 schools and administrative facilities.
The IP telephony system, one of the world`s largest, will connect every classroom and administrator and deliver enhanced communications and security capabilities, as well as improve reliability, streamline management and provide flexibility for the growing school district.
The sixth-largest school district in the US, CCSD encompasses the city of Las Vegas and surrounding environs. CCSD has an enrolment of almost 268 000 students and employs nearly 30 000 teachers, administrators and support personnel.
To date, approximately one-quarter of CCSD`s schools and facilities have been brought online, with two to three locations added to the IP telephony network per week. The contract, valued at more than $15 million over three years, covers all Alcatel OmniPCX Enterprise hardware and software, as well as Verizon-provided professional services such as network assessments, project management and installation. In addition, Verizon and Alcatel provide on-site technical support, training and on-going maintenance.
According to St Louis-based Dietrich Lockard Group, Inc, an independent management consulting firm specialising in voice, video and data networking retained by CCSD, the school district could save more than $2 million per year by converging its voice and data networks.
"After reviewing several proposals, it became apparent that the Verizon-Alcatel solution was best-suited to provide the district with consistent management across all 300 locations without expensive wiring upgrades," said Dr Philip Brody, chief technology officer, Clark County School District.
"Verizon and Alcatel clearly demonstrated the ability to provide the level of support required to undertake an IP telephony deployment of this magnitude and the Alcatel`s dual IP/TDM architecture gives us the flexibility to deploy a combination of digital and IP handsets throughout all district facilities."
According to Eric Bruno, vice-president - marketing, Verizon Enterprise Solutions Group, the deployment of IP telephony by CCSD highlights the growing popularity of the technology within the education vertical market, where robust yet economical communications are required. "Schools find that merging computer and telephone traffic over the same network enable them to connect every teacher, classroom and administrator. Converging these networks helps maximise internal and external communications in a cost-effective manner."
Tom Wilburn, general manager Alcatel North America enterprise business, said: "When considering voice and data convergence, customers want choice as to when, where and how to deploy IP telephony. The Alcatel OmniPCX Enterprise offers customers such as Clark County School District that flexibility. The OmniPCX Enterprise excels in its ability to support both digital and IP telephones, provide a full feature set within a single system as well as across networked environments, and scale from small branch locations to very large configurations."
Alcatel is one of Verizon`s vendors of choice for IP networking equipment. The two companies signed an agreement in early 2002 under which Verizon distributes Alcatel`s products to support the communications requirements of large business, government and education customers. The pact, which covers Alcatel`s Internet protocol-based (IP) voice and data networking products, makes Verizon the largest North American distributor for Alcatel.
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A Fortune 10 company, Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) is one of the world`s leading providers of communications services, with approximately $67 billion in revenues and 221 000 employees. Verizon companies are the largest providers of wireline and wireless communications in the US, with more than 139 million access line equivalents and 36 million Verizon Wireless customers. Verizon is the third largest long-distance carrier for US consumers, with nearly 16 million long-distance lines. The company is also the largest directory publisher in the world, as measured by directory titles and circulation. Verizon`s international presence includes wireline and wireless communications operations and investments, primarily in the Americas and Europe. For more information, visit www.verizon.com.
Alcatel
Alcatel provides end-to-end communications solutions, enabling carriers, service providers and enterprises to deliver contents to any type of user, anywhere in the world. Leveraging its long-term leadership in telecommunications networks equipment as well as its expertise in applications and network services, Alcatel enables its customers to focus on optimising their service offerings and revenue streams. With sales of 16.5 billion euro in 2002, Alcatel operates in more than 130 countries.
Bytes Communication Systems
Bytes Communication Systems has been closely associated with the telecommunication industry in SA since 1924. The company currently employs some 240 people nationally to market, support and service its comprehensive range of PBX systems, Data equipment and other associated communication equipment throughout the country. Bytes Communication Systems is part of the Bytes Technology Group which is part of the Altron Group.
Our technology partner, Alcatel, is the number one PBX vendor in Europe and is rapidly strengthening its presence in the US where its products, both voice and data, have won several prestigious awards and is a recognised innovator in voice and data convergence. This partnership ensures that we have full and exclusive access to a wide range of leading edge technology in voice, data, call centres, mobility, networking products and solutions. For more information about Bytes Communication Systems, please visit www.bytescomms.co.za.
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