The media group Thomas Crosbie Holdings (TCH) has deployed a state-of-the-art converged communications system at its new offices in Cork at a cost of half a million euro.
The three-year contract to install and manage the system was won by Cable & Wireless (C&W), which will provide a complete communications system that includes integrated voice, data and wireless systems. Two of TCH’s flagship titles, the Irish Examiner and the Evening Echo, are being moved to the new greenfield facility at Lapps Quay in Cork, which houses 350 staff.
Features of the new IP-based system include unified messaging and hot-desking, which will enable employees to access voice messages, email and the corporate network from any location. Journalists on the titles will be kept up to date on breaking news even if they are away from their desks.
In addition, the new system will let journalists and production staff collaborate by sharing applications and information in real time. An IP contact centre being operated at TCH’s advertising department includes intelligent call routing and reporting functions.
According to C&W, the new IP network will enable new multimedia applications to be rolled out quickly and cost-effectively. Over time, TCH also plans to roll out voice over IP and advanced call centre functionality to all its offices across Ireland.
Ruairi Roddy, chief technology officer with TCH, commented: “The robust and integrated platform offers us huge potential as we expand and innovate our business. It will also simplify network management and reduce our total cost of ownership.”
By Gordon Smith
