Comtec is providing Cherchefelle Housing Association with a fully-outsourced IT and telephony infrastructure. The implementation of the Citrix-based system followed the housing provider’s need to replace its outdated telephony system and server infrastructure, cater to a more mobile workforce, and accommodate new services.
Cherchefelle was keen to implement resilient IT and communications systems that would support its day-to-day operations, with improvements in network performance, mobility, business continuity and customer service all high on the agenda.
Cherchefelle was looking for a solution provider who not only had the right technical experience, but could also deliver the necessary services on a fully outsourced basis, leaving Cherchefelle free to concentrate on its core business.
Comtec’s first implementation was a Citrix-based hosted server system to support the increase in workforce mobility. This was followed by a hosted IP telephony system based on the latest Avaya PBX and IP handsets with SIP trunking. Comtec now provides a 24/7 network operation centre to support all incoming requirements for remote fix and an experienced team of engineers to provide on-site support and maintenance when required.
A year after the initial implementation, Cherchefelle relocated its head office. Comtec’s specialist IT relocations team removed, transported and reinstalled the housing provider’s entire IT estate in the new offices, with the full migration completed during a single 24 hour period.
Mark Bellinger, chief executive, Cherchefelle Housing Association, said, “We specialise in helping people with mental illness or learning disabilities, young people leaving care and elderly people. Our floating support services also work with vulnerable people living in their own homes or in temporary accommodation.
“We manage and deliver all of these services from our main office and subsequent branch offices. It was this wide network of offices and their related communications requirements that we enlisted Comtec to maintain and support.”
Business-critical applications are now delivered securely to the mobile workforce and application management is simpler and more cost effective. For the first time, the Cherchefelle has access to professional contact-centre functionality and the addition of SIP trunking has reduced monthly call and line rental charges.
