CLEAR and Alcatel successfully complete major project for Dept for Courts
Media statement
26 July 2000
CLEAR and Alcatel successfully complete major project for Department for Courts
CLEAR Communications and Alcatel have successfully completed a 12-month project to build the Department for Courts a new
and fully managed voice and data communications network.
The combined business communications and IT project involves the Department for Courts' 78 sites - totalling more than
5000 extensions - throughout the country.
The new system completely modernises the department's phone system, which could not cope with the volume of calls. Fibre
optic cables have been installed to the 36 larger courts and other sites have had significant bandwidth upgrades for
faster and more efficient data transmission.
The project is part of a six-year outsourcing agreement through which CLEAR provides fully managed voice and data
communications to the department, including a centralised help desk and services such as administration, faults, queries
and tailored reporting.
The department's upgraded network is one of New Zealand's largest fully digital networks and provides all department
employees identical functionality, regardless of their office location or size. Desk to desk dialling enables a staff
member in Kaitaia to make an internal call to another in Invercargill, and portable telephone numbers mean circuit
judges can take their phone number with them as they travel from court to court.
Department for Courts spokesman Barry Ebert says the new network means a much-improved telephone service to court users
and the public.
"The department aims to be a world leader in the delivery of responsive, modern and cost-effective court services, so
the communications infrastructure has to be highly sophisticated and able to grow with ever changing needs," he says.
The new system, including the new hardware provided by Alcatel, has been funded out of existing operating budgets and
will result in significant cost saving, says Mr Ebert. External phone and fax numbers for the department will not change
until the new editions of telephone directories are produced.
The new infrastructure gives the department the capability to implement innovative services, such as advanced video
conferencing and IP telephony, in future.
CLEAR Communications' Integrated Services Manager Bill Ramsay says the project is an example of the benefits of
combining business communications and IT innovation to best serve an organisation.
"By taking an integrated approach, CLEAR has been able to remove all of the management hassle for the department," he
says.
Alcatel's Enterprise Solutions Manager Peter Chambers says the project is a globally significant one for Alcatel, which
has provided the platform.
"Alcatel's objective was to provide Courts with a seamless and transparent communications system where technology adds
value, and doesn't hinder efficiency," says Mr Chambers.
"Our solution provides Courts with a future-proof platform to upgrade to additional features and functionality -
including voice-over-IP and high level computer-telephony integration - all aimed at supporting a more efficient and
customer-responsive organisation."
ENDS
For further information contact Rochelle Lockley, Communications Manager - Commercial CLEAR Communications Ph: (09) 912
4104 Office Ph: (021) 763 784 Mobile
Katrina Wright, Communications Manager Alcatel Ph: (021) 673 460
Barry Ebert, Corporate Communications Manager Department for Courts Ph: (04) 918 8893