Communication provides the key to success ...

Effective communication is at the core of any successful organisation and New Direction Finance - OPAL is a rapidly expanding third party administrator for the finance sector, with an impressive list of blue chip clients.

When NDF - OPAL came to selecting a communications infrastructure for its new St Albans office, it found the ideal solution in the Argent Office from Network Alchemy.

The system, supplied and installed by Datacomms in July 1998, integrates LAN and Telephony communications, and has assisted NDF-OPAL in its aim to increase its level of business.

The British designed and manufactured Argent Office, has taken the market by storm and as standard offers:

• Integrated voice PBX
• Integrated data routing for Internet, Intranet, Extranet and traditional private network access
• Integrated firewall software for secure access to the Internet/Intranet
• Integrated Ethernet hub allowing interconnectivity for all PCs, workstations and servers
• Integrated remote access facilities for remote users
• Integrated Computer Technology (CT) features to optimise desktop communications.

Whilst Argent Office provides in one package the functionality (and more) of several autonomous (and typically more expensive) voice & data systems, NDF - OPAL primarily selected Argent Office for its user friendliness, flexibility and reliability.

These were fundamental elements for NDF-OPAL as Erel Korusoy, the company’s IT Manager explained: As we behave as an administration department it is essential that the telephones are answered quickly and in the correct manner.

Using Direct Dial In (DDI) numbers, Argent Office connects callers directly to the appropriate members of staff thereby providing our clients with a totally personalised service that is very fast and effective.

Argent Office also forwards caller display information to the telephone ports which allows the number and name of the caller to be displayed on any standard analogue phone with a LCD Caller Display.

When a call comes in Caller Display tells us who is on the line and who they want to speak to, allowing staff members to answer accordingly whilst any unanswered or out of hours calls can be directed to a Voice-Mail Server if necessary.

Argent Office was also selected for its flexibility and ease of operation. Members of the IT department were trained to manage the system after its installation and are able to reconfigure the telephone system themselves. This gives NDF-OPAL complete control and saves a lot of time and money for the company as it negates the need for external support personnel.

This enables NDF-OPAL to completely personalise its telephone service and take full advantage of the enhanced facilities in the integrated Voice PBX.

As NDF-OPAL staff are able to reconfigure the system without the assistance of external support engineers, adding extensions is a quick and easy process that can be carried out at any convenient time with no disruption to business.

Initially 32 phone extensions were installed, however this has increased to 64 to give faster response times to incoming calls leading to an improved service for customers. Further expansion is planned and up to 96 standard cost-effective phones can be connected to an Argent Office making it ideal for small to medium sized offices.

Datacomms worked closely with NDF-OPAL to provide a complete Communications Infrastructure tailored to the company’s requirements. NDF-OPAL already had experience of working with Datacomms and called them back because of their technical knowledge and ability to offer a total package including supply and installation of the following:

• UTP Category 5 structured Cable Network
• Argent Office Telephone System
• Ethernet LAN Equipment
• Ethernet WAN Equipment to connect to the company’s NetWare server in the London office Network Management
• Training
• Sales & Service Support.

Summing up, Erel Korusoy said: We wanted a total package from one supplier. Datacomms came up with the technical briefs we required and were very fast with response times. We are very impressed with their level of service; there is always someone on hand to deal with any technical questions we may have.

The Argent Office telephone system has been totally efficient and dependable; it offers us all of the features we need as well as a whole host of others that have given us ideas for developing our business further.

For further information please contact:

Datacomms
The Hall Business Centre, Berry Lane,
Chorleywood, Herts, WD3 5EX
Email: sales_at_datacomms.co.uk
Tel: 09123 287301