The hotel, which hosts both large and small corporate functions on a regular basis, is using the NEC Philips 2000 IPS solution in order to benefit from a more flexible, scaleable telephony infrastructure. By deploying an IP-based platform, the hotel is able to scale up or down the number of phones in any given room as and when functions or events are being held.
Steve Messenger, IT Manager at Mar Hall Hotel, explains, “Our clients’ needs and requirements were the main drivers for a new telephony system. The existing system was outdated and ageing and we began to understand the enormous potential that VoIP could offer. Due to the historic nature of the building we were unable to install additional plugs and sockets so with the help of Premier Telecommunications we utilised existing category 5 cabling backed by an IP voice server.”
The hotel’s clients’ requests differ from one or two additional phones in a room to a full office environment with several telephony points from which they can work from. With the NEC Philips VoIP solution the hotel now has the equipment and flexibility to efficiently adhere to customers’ requirements enhancing the service offering it is able to deliver.
Messenger continues, “Moving forward, we are also looking to implement IP DECT technology as this would be an ideal answer to the cabling hurdles. Staff such as the maintenance teams, night porters, catering staff working throughout the hotel need to be able to pick up incoming calls and in a hotel environment wireless technology would be invaluable.”
Commenting on the relationship with Premier Telecommunications, who project managed and implemented the NEC Philips solution, Steve Messenger concludes, “We have a great relationship with Premier Telecommunications. The sales and implementation teams have been extremely supportive and responsive and have been on hand to offer help and guidance at every stage. We are very impressed with the functionality that the NEC Philips telephony system can provide and look forward to continuing to expand and reap the increased benefits that the technology can provide.”