The project was carried out by Comms Supply who also provides its SIP-based cloud telephony platform YourUCP to Orwell Housing’s head office and many extra care housing schemes throughout Suffolk. “We are constantly looking at ways to improve the facilities at our support and care housing schemes, and the warden call system which allows tenants to quickly contact a member of staff is a key requirement,” explains Jamie Hopkins, head of ICT for Orwell Housing, “Our existing system was starting to show its age in terms of reliability and features and the growth of our extra care schemes over the years had led to coverage issues. Our concern was that there was a small chance that a call might not get through to the right person in a timely fashion.”
Orwell Housing Association provides homes for over 7,500 residents by managing 3,500 plus properties, throughout Suffolk, Norfolk, Cambridge and Essex and is the largest provider of extra care housing within Suffolk. The progressive association was also listed within The Sunday Times best companies 2016.
Orwell contacted Comms Supply, a trusted supplier of many years, for a recommendation on a possible upgrade. Based on the need for better coverage, seamless call handover between cells and integration with both the Warden System and Orwell’s SIP based telephony platform; Comms Supply designed a new system based on Gigaset Multicell base stations and DECT handsets.
“The highly configurable nature of the Gigaset devices meant that with just a short migration project, we were able to integrate the system with the Warden Call platform and all the features from our cloud PBX,” says Karl Alderton (pictured), Managing Director for Comms Supply. To date, Comms Supply has successfully upgraded the phone systems at Orwell sites in Lowestoft, Woodbridge, Stowmarket and Loddon, as well as installing new systems in Felixstowe, Saxmundham and Kesssingland, benefiting over 150 residents.
“The new Gigaset DECT system offers great coverage, call quality and the handsets have proven easy to use for our staff,” adds Hopkins, “Our plan is to upgrade the majority of our sites over the next few years and working with Comms Supply and Gigaset has proven to be a great choice.”