New Zealand Public Service Association Gets Unified With Nortel and Gen-i

Nortel and Microsoft Unified Communications Network Simplifies Communications and Cuts Costs

WELLINGTON, New Zealand - The New Zealand Public Service Association (PSA), New Zealand’s largest union with more than 57,000 registered members, expects to save up to 18 percent annually on call fees by migrating to a unified communications network from Nortel* [OTC: NRTLQ], Microsoft and implementation partner Gen-i.

The solution gives PSA new functionality - such as unified messaging and presence - that allows operators to instantly ’see’ the status of their colleagues and know exactly how to reach them, be it by phone or e-mail. The system also creates a single collection point for voicemails for all staff so no message goes unanswered.

PSA selected the new unified communications solution, based on Nortel’s Communication Server and Microsoft’s Office Communications Server (OCS) 2007 platform, following a tender in 2008 to find the most suitable method of unifying its disparate communications services and making it easier to contact its 80-plus mobile workforce across the country.

“Our workforce is spread across the country servicing our members in different regions, so it’s critical that we’re able to reach them as and when required if we’re to maintain the high service levels we’re aiming for,” says Richard Finlay, IS project manager, PSA. “We’ve given staff access to mobile phones and laptops for years, but until now we haven’t had a seamless way of connecting them to our administrative offices and to each other.”

“Last year we were shown a demo by Gen-i - with whom we have a long and successful relationship - of what Nortel was doing with Microsoft in the unified communications space, and we found that the Nortel solution tied in perfectly with our strategy of standardising on Microsoft’s software products,” said Finlay. “When we went to tender, the same solution was clearly well ahead of what any other vendors were offering in the unified communications space, and since then we’ve been working closely with all three companies to integrate the solution in our business.”

“We understand the challenges our clients face as they look to integrate their unified communications capability into the core processes that underpin their businesses,” says Peter Haigh, business solutions specialist, Gen-i. “Working with PSA, gave us an exciting opportunity to help increase productivity across the organization, and allow branch and mobile workers to fully participate - wherever they are in the country. We brought together unified communications offerings from Microsoft and Nortel to deliver an end-to-end solution that delivers PSA real business outcomes.”

“Unified communications is a primary focus for Nortel with our strategic partners,” says Neville James, channels and marketing manager, ANZ, Nortel. “Unified communications is quickly becoming a driver for network upgrades, given the proven cost and productivity benefits, especially at a time when IT budgets are under review and companies expect to see a clearly defined ROI.”

Nortel and Gen-i’s solution for PSA is based on Nortel’s Communication Server (CS) 1000 IP PBX , installed at its head office in Wellington, with survivable remote gateways that ensure business continuity located at PSA’s Auckland and Christchurch locations. PSA is also looking at migrating its contact centre to Nortel Contact Centre 7 platform to improve reporting and call queuing functionality.

Earlier this year Nortel announced it had completed a unified communications network upgrade for Auckland-based office supplies company, OfficeMax.

About Nortel

Nortel delivers communications capabilities that make the promise of Business Made Simple a reality for our customers. Our next-generation technologies, for both service provider and enterprise networks, support multimedia and business-critical applications. Nortel’s technologies are designed to help eliminate today’s barriers to efficiency, speed and performance by simplifying networks and connecting people to the information they need, when they need it. For more information, visit Nortel on the Web at www.nortel.com . For the latest Nortel news, visit www.nortel.com/news .

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