Beneden School - Lync 2010 Case Study

Microsoft Lync Customer Solution Case Study U.K. School Deploys Unified Communications Saving 40 Per Cent on Cost of New PBXCustomer:Benenden SchoolWebsite:www.benenden.kent.sch.ukCustomer Size:300 “Benenden took advantage of free Lync Server 2010Country or Region:United Kingdom licences through the Microsoft Schools Agreement.Industry:Education—Primary andsecondary schools Effectively, we gave the school a new PBX with fullPartner:Modality Systems unified communications at no extra cost.”Customer Profile Wade Nash, Head of IT Services, Benenden SchoolBenenden School, located in Kent in theUnited Kingdom, is among the leadingacademic boarding schools in the Leading United Kingdom (U.K.) girls school Benenden Schoolcountry. It educates 530 girls aged 11 to needed to replace its private branch exchange (PBX) telephony18 years. system. Having considered offers from four different PBXSoftware and Services vendors, the school chose Microsoft Lync Server 2010 Standard Microsoft Server Product Portfolio − Microsoft Lync Server 2010 Standard Edition for telephony and unified communications. The Edition Microsoft solution cost 40 per cent less than any of the − Microsoft Exchange Server 2010 − Microsoft SharePoint Server 2010 competing offerings. Plus, it is scalable, easily accommodating − Microsoft System Center Data new accounts for staff and students. Protection Manager 2010 − Microsoft System Center Service Manager 2010 Business Needs Hyper-V virtualisation software and the − Microsoft System Center Virtual Benenden School, founded in 1923, is one Microsoft System Center suite of products. Machine Manager 2008 R2 of the leading academic boarding schools − Microsoft System Center Operations for girls aged 11 to 18 years in the U.K. It However, one pressing challenge was to Manager 2007 R2 ranks among its most famous alumni find a replacement for the existing Nortel − Microsoft Forefront Threat Anne, the Princess Royal. State-of-the-art Meridian Opt 11 PBX, which was reaching Management Gateway 2010 information and communications the end of its life cycle and provided 250 − Microsoft SQL Server 2008 technology are vital to the success of any phones for 300 staff. With the completion Technologies school, and Benenden is no exception. of a new science building, which needed to − Hyper V Under Wade Nash, Head of IT Services, be equipped with phones, the school had Benenden has invested in a range of to step up its search for a suitableFor more information about other Microsoft communication and replacement solution.Microsoft customer successes, please visit: collaboration technologies as well aswww.microsoft.com/casestudies

Nash, who had previously worked in the gateways,and the Quintum Tenor Lync Server 2010 offers value-for-telecommunications industry, says: “The Analogue Gateway. Nash says: “I was money alternative to new PBX. Thesystem was no longer fit for purpose and it surprised at how seamless the rollout was. lowest quote for a PBX was £115,000,was difficult to acquire new licences for The team worked with Modality Systems in but Microsoft implemented Lync Serveradditional phones without upgrading the overcoming complex issues and 2010 for £70,000—a saving of aroundPBX. We wanted a new IP-based system that accommodating the specific needs of 40 per cent, with most of those costs inwould drive the school forward for the next some of our users.” consultancy and handsets. Nash says:five to 10 years. From our research, we “Benenden took advantage of free Lynccould see the potential additional benefits Lync Server 2010 interoperates with Server 2010 licences through theof unified communications, including Microsoft Exchange Server 2010, Microsoft Microsoft Schools Agreement.presence awareness, instant messaging, and SQL Server 2008 R2, Microsoft SharePoint Effectively, we gave the school a newaudio and videoconferencing.” Server 2010, and the Microsoft System PBX with full unified communications at Center suite. Benenden is also using no extra cost.”Initially, Benenden sought offers from four Microsoft Forefront Threat Management Unified communications featuresleading telephony vendors—Mitel, ShoreTel, Gateway for added security. improve staff productivity. TeachingCisco, and Avaya—with the lowest quote and administration staff are workingbeing £115,000 (U.S.$185,000). Nash says: Modality Systems ensured that during the more productively using the unified“We had heard that Microsoft was entering deployment the PBX continued operating communications features in Lync Serverthe PBX space with its Wave „14‟ product around the clock. It also played a major 2010, especially staff who need to besuite as an extension of its Microsoft Office part in encouraging user adoption of the mobile. Nash says: “We can set upCommunications Server technology. We unified communications features in Lync interactive response groups to handlewanted to find out more.” Server 2010. Tom Arbuthnot, Development incoming calls and direct them to Team, Modality Systems, says: “The different groups of users. Individuals canSolution primary driver for most of the users was divert calls to their mobiles while out ofBenenden took advice from Modality voice rather than new unified the office, making it easier to work moreSystems, which specialises in custom communications features. But the solution productively.”software for unified communications and soon proved useful in many different Experienced partner adds value to thewas Microsoft U.K. Lync Server Voice ways—for example, through using Lync Lync Server 2010 solution. ModalityPartner of the Year in 2011. Nash says: Server 2010 for governors‟ meetings and Systems has successfully integrated Lync“Modality Systems gave us the confidence to interview prospective new overseas Server 2010 with the existing Microsoftto take the first step by carrying out a proof staff, avoiding the need to travel.” technologies and delivered customisedof concept with Microsoft Lync technology. features, including support for theThe initial stage involved the IT department, Benefits receipt of fax messages. “Withoutfacilities management, accounts, and the Benenden School deployed Lync Server Modality Systems, we wouldn‟t havedirector of studies.” 2010 to replace its existing PBX at 40 per been able to achieve our ambitions in cent less than the lowest quote from a PBX such a short space of time,” says Nash.After a successful pilot project, Benenden vendor. Staff rapidly adopted the unified Students in boarding accommodationdeployed Microsoft Lync Server 2010 communications features and now have a will get Lync Server 2010. The nextalongside its Meridian PBX, subsequently flexible and sustainable voice and phase of development will involvereplacing the existing system entirely. collaboration infrastructure that can be boarding students getting access toAmong other supporting technologies, the extended to students. Knowledge transfer Microsoft Lync through their computerssolution uses Polycom and Snom phones, and support from an experienced and mobile devices, making aroundDigital Enhanced Cordless Microsoft partner has ensured resilience 1,000 licences in total. As a result,Telecommunications (DECT), Network and reduced the risk of downtime. students‟ accounts will be safeguardedEquipment Technologies (NET) against unwanted or inappropriate calls.This case study is for informational purposes only. MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, IN THISSUMMARY.Document published June 2012

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Beneden School - Lync 2010 Case Study

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