PRI outperforms Centrex

This group provides transportation planning services to government agencies across the US and Canada. With 35 consultants and engineers spread across multiple suites on several floors, this group found that their longstanding phone-company-supplied Centrex service was inadequate to meet their business needs.

- Consultants could only receive one call at a time - the 2nd would end up in voicemail without even ringing on the employee's phone.

- Callers routed to voicemail could not press 0 to reach a live person.

- The receptionist could not tell when staff were on the phone - so call transfers often ended up in 'voicemail jail'.

- Call coverage was awkward when the receptionist had to move around the office.

- Conference calling capabilities were limited.

- Relocating staff between offices was expensive and difficult, due to a lack of structured cabling.

- Their monthly fixed recurring telecom costs for local service (not even counting long distance) were $1,100 for 35 people.

- Huge monthly costs were incurred by travelling employees using calling cards to reach the office.

Synertel met with operational management and executive staff over a period of several months. A comprehensive picture was developed of how voice communications were being used - and how they would like them to change. The result?

The firm chose Synertel to install an NEC Electra Elite digital phone system and EliteMail voice messaging augmented with digital dial tone (PRI). Random cabling was traced, documented, and augmented to provide a clean circuit to each desktop. A smooth after-hours cutover was followed by first-day training for all users. Now.

- Every staff member can receive multiple calls at once - and sees Caller ID! Digital dial tone ensures clear, consistent call volume and fidelity.

- 0 escape from voicemail goes to a tiered set of staff - so someone always answers.

- The receptionist can instantly see that state of every phone set.

- A cordless set allows the receptionist to roam the office without missing a call.

- An integral secure conference bridge allows the firm to include up to 8 locations on a conference call.

- Relocations are simplified.

- The firm saved $400/month on recurring costs for local service.

- An 800 number was created for staff to reach the office, saving an add'l $75/month in calling card fees.

The operational hard cost savings of $5,700/year are more than covering the lease cost of the new system … and when the lease is completed, the savings will flow directly back to the bottom line.