Nortel Networks, University of Wollongong and 3D Networks join forces in IP Telephony Centre of Excellence

Jan 16, 2004

Nortel Networks, University of Wollongong and 3D Networks join forces in IP Telephony Centre of Excellence.

In conjunction with the establishment of a Centre of Excellence (CoE), the University will establish a virtual IP telephony-based call centre.

The University currently has four separate call centres; these will be connected via a single Nortel Networks Symposium* call centre solution including 80 IP handsets and applications such as CallPilot* unified messaging and interactive voice recognition.

"Through the establishment of the virtual IP telephony call centre, we hope to gain increased productivity, reduced cost and improved student services, in comparison to current levels, as well as provide real-world experience of the technology," said University of Wollongong Vice-Chancellor Professor Gerard Sutton.

The University intends to offer IP telephony courses within 12 months.

"The establishment of a Centre of Excellence in IP telephony at the University of Wollongong will further strengthen our competitive position," Professor Sutton said.

"The CoE and the virtual call centre will allow staff and students to not only benefit from the use of such advanced technology, but also learn firsthand how an IP telephony solution is designed and implemented," he said.

The Centre of Excellence will be directed by a committee comprising representatives of the University of Wollongong, Nortel Networks and 3D Networks.

Nortel Networks has been involved with the University of Wollongong for more than 10 years, locating its Australian research and development laboratory on the campus and working alongside University staff in the development of other communications technologies such as wireless LAN.

"We work very closely with the University of Wollongong and they have consistently shown their willingness to adopt and specialise in technologies that will have an impact on the future of their community and the lives of their students," said Steve Wood, president, Nortel Networks Australia and New Zealand.

"IP Telephony is on the rise and we have many companies coming to us for advice and information on implementation. By having an IP Telephony Centre of Excellence on campus, the University will provide a critical teaching resource for our other customers," he said.

3D Networks is a Platinum member of Nortel Networks nPower channel partner program and has specialised in the design, implementation and support of Nortel Networks IP telephony networks. 3D Networks has designed and will install the new call centre at the University.

For more information, contact:

media@uow.edu.au
University of Wollongong
Ph: (02) 4221 5942; fax (02) 4221 3128