Why Cbeyond
Customer Stories
Oakland Hill CC Upgrades to Cbeyond/Cisco IP Phone Solution
Business Challenges
- Upgrade outdated, unsupported PBX telephone service
- Handle peak inbound call volumes to maintain high level of member service
- Complete upgrade between 2007 and 2008 seasons
Results with Cbeyond
- High-quality, "pure" IP connection, scalable to 48 lines
- Lower capital and operating expenses with converged solution
- Fast, efficient deployment with minimal impact on operations
Considered one of the world's top golf courses, Oakland Hills Country Club bases its success on a staff and management that strives to create an atmosphere of elegance and hospitality. When it required a reliable, full-featured communications system to better serve the needs of its members, the club identified several key challenges:
- Upgrade outdated PBX telephone service. Oakland Hills CC relied on an outmoded PBX (private branch exchange) system that was no longer supported by the manufacturer; when cards failed or spare parts were required, the club had to purchase them at online auctions.
- Handle peak inbound call volumes. Phones must be available to coordinate a wide range of services, including setting tee times, large catered events, pro shop and teaching center appointments, and more.
- Complete upgrade with minimal disruption. The deployment had to be completed during the 2007/2008 winter season in time for the club's reopening in the spring.
"We were excited about the savings, but we're especially appreciative of the reliability and ease-of-use of this new system."
Marty Agnello
Controller, Oakland Hills Country Club
The Cbeyond Solution
Oakland Hills Country Club controller Marty Agnello called Preferred Data Systems (PDS), a Cisco Small Business IP Telephony Certified Partner. PDS worked closely with the technical experts at Cbeyond (a Cisco-certified interoperable SIP service provider) to deploy a BeyondVoice II with SIPconnect service:
- BeyondVoice II with SIPconnect, permits businesses with a PBX to connect to the Internet with a "pure" VoIP connection with two fast, reliable T1 lines
- PDS and Cbeyond were able to retire two copper POTS (Plain Old Telephone Service) lines by porting them to Cbeyond and reduce the number of phone lines
- New system supports non-voice functions such as time clocks, point-of-sale credit card machines, and fax lines.
Results and Benefits
The solution was deployed beginning in November of 2007 and concluded in time for the March 2008 opening. Replacing copper-wired TDM (Time Division Multiplexing) system with easy-to-deploy IP technology minimized disruption to club activities while streamlining operations and reducing costs:
- Everyone has a voice mailbox, with easy expansion to include video conferencing and faxing directly to PCs
- Moves/adds/changes/deletes (MACD) now simply require plugging phone into a new Ethernet jack
- Ability to plug SIPconnect service directly to the Cisco Voice Router eliminated need for a PRI (Primary Rate Interface) WAN Interface Card which saved $1,000
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