By Jo Best, 19 February 2009 16:37
NEWS
Siemens has landed a five-year deal for a new unified communications system with accountancy firm haysmacintyre.
The company is replacing an ageing PBX system with a 200-seat Siemens OpenScape suite that will open up the possibility of adding a range of new features.
According to haysmacintyre CIO Simon Bulleyment, the company also looked at options from Alcatel-Lucent, Nortel and Microsoft before opting to sign up with longstanding supplier Siemens.
The first phase of the rollout will see haysmacintyre match the functionality of the PBX system before moving on to a second phase, expected to be concluded this spring.
The second phase will enable features including remote and mobile working as well as a single number for staff whether they're using their desk phone or their mobile.
Presence will also make an appearance on the new system, allowing workers to see when colleagues are available - and may one day be federated with instant messengers used by third parties such as suppliers and clients.
With the new features helping to avoid telephone tag between partners and clients, as well as cutting down the company's phone bills, Bulleyment said the system will help offset the extra outlay it brings.
"We are paying a little more with the system on an annual basis but in terms of the kind of functionality and the advantages that will come back to the company, that will far outweigh the additional cost," he told silicon.com.
As a result of the new system, haysmacintyre will also be able to move to cloud-based disaster recovery for its telecoms this year.
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