Case Study: Lurgi Lentjes AG
Network Computing Germany (Issue 3/04), Technology Guide: Frings Datacom, the system house partner of Swyx, implemented in the new building of a subsidiary company of Lurgi Lentjes AG a new communication solution for 540 employees. The IP based PBX of Swyx meets all demands and dwarfs traditional systems in the cost factor.
Integration of Lotus Notes
In fall 2003, the strategic business unit Energy and Environment moved it's 540 employees into a new modern office building in Duesseldorf. A main aspect for Lentjes Shared Services, the outsourced IT-Division of the company, was the integration of a modern telecommunication solution. The company was looking for a "complete" solution that would integrate Lotus Notes with their highly efficient network.
Test stage
Being a longtime partner in the area of passive network structure, the system house Frings Datacom, located in Hilden, took part in the tender of Lentjes. The Frings-Team recommended implementing the solution suggested by Swyx, a manufacturer from Dortmund. After a successful visit, one department of the company tested the product for 4 weeks. At the end of the evaluation stage the users were highly pleased. Based upon the results, when compared to that of other manufacturers, the Swyx solution was preferred.
Relief for everyday work
The main component of the software based IP-PBX SwyxWare is the central server solution SwyxServer, which runs on Microsoft Windows 2000 or 2003 Server. With SwyxWare, the software company from Dortmund offers a total solution for handling all internal and external telephone traffic via the data network. On a centrally installed server SwyxServer assumes all call connection requests and switching processes, like a traditional PBX. In addition to that, the software also offers the single user many new telephony functions. Among the list of impressive features, users favored the Call Routing function. This easy to arrange, intelligent feature, allows users to route incoming calls based on time and caller, along with comfortable voicemail functions. Faxing can also take place to and from the application with SwyxFax, an optional add in to the telephone system. These functions make daily office operation considerably easier.
Self-Management desired
In comparison to traditional solutions: the IT administrator achieves all necessary settings (i.e. the addition of new users or the modification of user rights) through Microsoft Management Console (MMC). Since it is an open, PC based solution, the network administrator can, for example, add a backup solution or implement a caller id plan to the configuration by himself. Proprietary systems of traditional PBXs are often less flexible, since every change and adjustment has to be purchased from the PBX manufacturer. Changes in the configuration of the system often require the help of a customer service center, which causes high consequential costs.
No rearrangements
In addition to a competitive price-performance ratio, high flexibility and stability, the network-based solution shouldn't narrow the familiar telephone comfort of the Lentjes employees.
The employees should not notice that they are no longer telephoning over the separate, traditional telephone network, but via the data network.
Familiar desktop phone
Frings Datacom fulfilled this demand with the Swyx solution in a persuasive way: "The employees really hardly noticed the change", explains Christian Sohn, Sales Manager Business Communications of Frings Datacom. Since the transition from traditional telephone devices to the pc-phone or soft-phone shouldn't happen right from the start, the Lentjes employees used the SwyxPhone L420.
This desktop phone is connected to the computer network over the Ethernet (10/100 BaseT). It has an integrated LAN switch that connects the PC workstation with the local network. The employees will not realize the true promise of VoIP until the second phase of implementation has occurred. With the installation of SwyxIt!, the pc client software of Swyx, the IP-telephone can be comfortable operated from the pc. At this point, you can, for example, dial directly from Lotus Notes.
Fast Access
While the total project took approx. 6 months from the first approach to acceptance, the "hot" implementation phase took only six weeks. Overnight 540 telephone participants turned into 540 users.
Since the technical terms of the IP-telephone provider often differ from the traditional PBX manufacturers, the functionality of their new phone was explained to the employees during the installation at their workstation - no additional training was necessary.
Conclusion: No hidden costs
A significant reason Swyx partner Frings Datacom was awarded the contract for implementation, was the possibility to adapt and expand the Swyx solution independent from the manufacturer. Lower overall costs and increased flexibility lent the relatively young, German company the ability to stand up to the solutions of well know competitors such as Siemens and Tenovis. The user friendly Swyx solution can be managed by the companies' own computing team. Proprietary systems of different providers, for the most part, involve a maintenance contract with external service providers, rapidly resulting a six-digit dollar amount for companies the size of Lurgi Lentjes AG. The Rhenish company is now immune to these hidden costs. Since fall 2003 Lentjes has been using one of largest Swyx installations to date.