BT recently implemented a range of solutions to help Consignia make the transition from government agency to PLC.

Creating a bespoke solution for the company, BT has taken elements from a selection of solutions to fulfil Consignia’s needs. The first step was to fully manage a voice virtual private network (VPN). This allows every site to communicate, from a voice perspective.  Also adding voicemail, BT created an integrated voice messaging platform. A grand undertaking, this was created from BT’s FeatureNet solutions, and is fully integrated across Consignia’s 2000 sites, allowing for higher efficiency across the company.

In addition, BT is also providing Consignia with a wide area network (WAN), connecting the sites for critical business applications, such as finance and HR. Across the board, all of the solutions provided have been backed by shared learning between the two companies, in areas such as regulations, unions and enterprise solution packages.

In the area of mobile technology, BT linked Consignia’s benefits of the voice to the mobile with a solution called Mobile Extension. This allows mobiles to call offices and vice versa using a four digit ‘internal’ code, significantly reducing call costs. “It will offer Consignia roughly a 60% saving on call costs,” said Chris Porter, account director at BT. “So huge savings for them as a business, but ease of use for working individuals, therefore increasing productivity.”

BT has also provided GPRS (general packet radio service) on the contract, giving engineers on the move ‘anywhere, anytime’ connectivity on their mobiles.  This will allow for real time feedback on jobs and ease of scheduling tasks as they can be tracked throughout the day.

Although BT has provided a large solution to Consignia across its 2000 sites and 14,000 employees, the solutions it offers are flexible, and can be designed to fulfil the needs of companies of any size.  The main benefits come from integrating the solutions across the company in terms of network, voice and mobile connections. “Linking the office and the mobile offers extra benefits to the customer,” said Porter. “By combining technologies you get the real efficiencies and benefits from ease of use, productivity and reduced call rates.”

In addition, BT offers future proofing. Once a solution is in place, when a new technology arrives, BT will simply migrate a company’s system across to the new development. “We always build a future road map for the customer,” said Porter. “ As new business applications are developed on new networks, then we’ll move people to the appropriate technology. That’s all part of the service we are offering.”