A year later...

Date Released: Tue, 25 October 2011 00:00 +0200

It might seem that the phone renewal project is complete. This isn't the case.

One aim of the telephony project was to replace old fashioned equipment that relied on third parties to install and maintain with new technology that would integrate into a modern office environment, and which could be installed, configured and maintained by staff in the IT Division.

This has only been partially achieved. The original Avaya "blue" system has proven to be problematic - unstable, and lacking required features. Avaya have recognised the problems and have delared that the "blue" system is not fit for purpose. It is being replaced with a stable and feature rich Avaya "red" system at no cost to Rhodes.

The rollout for the "red" system will be starting in mid October, and is expected to be complete by early 2012. 1200 of the replacement handsets have been delivered, as well as the servers and ancillary equipment required to set up the PBX systems. The first installation will be taking place during the weekend of 14th-16th October. Further configuration of the "red" PBX system will take place over the following weeks, followed by a rollout very similar to the one that took place late last year.

Detailed schedules of handset rollouts will be made available to affected parties in due course.