Melbourne-based communications service provider and aggregator, Aptel, is in the process of migrating away from Cisco tech and switching 100 per cent of its services to Access4 BroadSoft's unified communications (UC) platform.
The migration will involve the changeover of more than 6,000 lines and the installation of more than 3,000 new handsets. Aptel said the first of its client buildings has already been migrated, with the full roll out to be completed over the next 12 months.
Access4’s Unified Communication-as-a-Service (UCaaS) solution incorporates Broadworks IP trunking and hosted voice with its solution, UC-One, which enables functionality for integration of desktop and mobile devices.
Additionally, the offering provides a contact centre solution, which is a cloud-based hosted service for call centres.
The new solution also involves the installation of Yealink handsets to enhance work efficiency and deliver competitive advantages to customers, through offering video conferencing systems in addition to voice communication solutions.
Aptel operations manager, Stephen Drennan, said the solution will deliver many benefits to its business, including providing a more stable platform and giving it greater flexibility for the future.
“It will also mean that our product range will increase, giving us more options to sell to our customers and it provides room for expansion, better scalability and the ability to stay ahead of the market. This is a big undertaking for us and it’s all hands on deck,” he said.
In addition, he said the company's hotel customers will stand to benefit.
“Our hotel customers can also sell additional services such as video conferencing, guests will be able to collaborate from their bedroom – no longer will they need to go to a specific room to access these types of services.”
According to the UCaaS company, Aptel's move to migrate fully to BroadSoft’s services indicates that the technology has gone "mainstream".
Access4 director of sales and marketing, Ruy Franco, said the migration marked a “significant milestone” for the business.
“For a service provider that prides itself on delivering a flawless service, Aptel’s move to Access4 and BroadSoft is a clear indicator of the confidence the market has in this cloud-based service,” Franco mentioned.
Franco also mentioned that Aptel customers will benefit from this new platform in terms of extra features.
“Currently, customers basically get just a phone, with the new system they will be able to audio conference, chat, and video-conference, they can even have their desk phone show as an app on their mobile and switch between the two seamlessly. This will provide the opportunity to collaborate with more efficiency.”
Access4, only recently entered the market in A/NZ, with a view to support new channel partners in the region.
“Local system integrators are typically owners or operators that have a vested interest in the service that is provided to their end use customers. We believe our solution will help them be more competitive in the market,” Franco said previously.
