SMC Electric Supply
The new infrastructure has helped them to reduce costs and allows greater flexibility in their day-to-day operations.
- Country: United States Of America
- Industry: Energy and Utilities
- Solution: Connected Solutions and Devices, Autonomous Network
SMC Electric Supply (SMC) is a family-owned corporation headquartered in Springfield, Missouri, working from 14 locations across Missouri and Kansas. They deployed WiFi access points in all the locations and a VoIP phone system using a single server to connect all its offices. They can now receive calls from customers even when out of the office.
Challenges
- Each of SMC’s locations had its own separate phone system and used different service providers.
- Since staff constantly needed to make calls between sites, the system was expensive and inefficient for day-to-day operations and maintenance.
- SMC staff found it difficult to consistently answer customers’ incoming calls, especially when out of the office.
- They needed phones they could carry around onsite, and a call forwarding system to avoid losing calls from potential revenue-generating customers.
- Finally, warehouse staff required wireless phones and portable devices such as bar scanners to streamline processes and increase efficiency, making Wi-Fi a necessity.
Results
- All locations now have WiFi access points working autonomously, as well as a VoIP phone system that allows calls to run through a single server.
- Two WLAN switches manage voice and data WiFi traffic; the system is connected to portable devices in the warehouses (e.g. handheld barcode scanners).
- Disaster recovery mode allows applications to keep running if there is a crisis, helping to avoid backlog and communication problems.
- All communications costs, including long-distance calls, have been eliminated as all calls are now go over IP.
- Customer drop-off rate is significantly lower now that all calls are answered, helping to generate more revenue.
- SMC employees can now connect to WiFi, which allows greater flexibility to run meetings, call customers, and invite guests from any location.
- A robust system that delivers clear call quality enables SMC to provide a better service to its customers.
Products & Solutions
Products
- 8 Series IP Touch Phones
- OmniAccess Wireless Access Points
- OmniSwitch 6450
- OmniSwitch 6900
- OmniTouch 8118/8128 WLAN Handset
- OpenTouch Business Edition
Solutions
- Business Telephony
- Converged Campus Network
- Mobility