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The Forensic Science Service improves efficiency with the help of Affiniti


WEBWIRE

• Improved efficiencies mean that invaluable forensic work can be completed faster
• Affiniti designs, implements and integrates communications systems based on Office Communication Server (OCS)

The Forensic Science Service (FSS) has turned to Affiniti, part of the KCOM Group, to update and enhance its communications system. Through the implementation of Microsoft Office Communication Server (OCS), employees are now able to communicate more efficiently with each other, resulting in greater efficiency and improved times in analysing and interpreting evidence from crime scenes.

OCS is the first stage of the FSS’s plan to roll out a full unified communications system across all of its sites. To date, this involves unified messaging, consisting of email, instant messaging, presence and collaboration technologies. Unified messaging enables laboratory based scientists to ‘see’ on a computer screen which experts are available, and therefore reduce the time it takes to get answers to their questions. Digital photographs of material being analysed can also be taken and sent to experts that are off site, allowing them to provide specialist advice quickly, where there previously would have been a delay, greatly increasing productivity. This will be of great benefit to the company, which analyses over 120,000 cases every year and counts bodies such as the Crown Prosecution Service and Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs as clients.

Affiniti designed and implemented the new unified messaging system, which was integrated into Microsoft Office and Exchange. Previously, email was the only collaborative tool available. The implementation of the unified messaging has meant that employees now can communicate in a number of ways, including instant messaging, resulting in faster response times and considerably less reliance on email. This has led to decreased costs and amount of storage required.

Mark Lowther, CTO of FSS said “Our challenge was to find a solution that would enable staff across the business to communicate more efficiently, to produce results for their customers as quickly as possible. We chose Affiniti to design and install the new system because they are recognised as the leading IT and communications solutions provider with solid sector experience. Having an existing relationship with Affiniti, we trusted them to update our infrastructure. Our ultimate aim is to implement unified communications across all sites.”

Paul Renucci, Executive Director at Affiniti commented, “We have been working with the Forensic Science Service for four years and are very pleased to have helped them update their current communications infrastructure. This is an important first step towards a full unified communications system, and will ensure the vital work that the FSS does is carried out effectively and with minimal disruption. We look forward to working with them again in the future”.
About Affiniti

Affiniti delivers IT and communications solutions that bring together people and technology to create real business value. Practical business consultancy combined with managed services capability enables Affiniti to show how existing investments and innovative technologies can deliver greater business returns.

Some of its customers include: Experian, Carphone Warehouse, British Airways, Ford, Admiral, Edinburgh Telford College, Royal Liverpool & Broadgreen Hospital, Cheshire Police and Lloyds TSB.

Affiniti is part of the KCOM Group.
About the KCOM Group

KCOM Group PLC provides a range of integrated IT and communications services to businesses, and internet and telecommunications services to selected consumer markets, within the UK.

The Group’s portfolio of businesses works with both leading private enterprise customers and public sector organisations. Through its Affiniti and Smart421 brands, the Group delivers solutions covering unified communications, contact centre solutions, data management, applications integration and managed services.

The KCOM Group also includes a regionally-focused business, Kingston Communications, which supports small to medium-sized businesses. Through its KC and Eclipse brands, the business offers a wide range of internet-based and telecommunications services. The regional business also provides telephony and internet services to targeted consumers through its KC, Eclipse and Karoo brands

The Group is listed on the London Stock Exchange and employs over 2,200 people across the UK.



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