Delivers private IP network, hosted PBX and managed firewall across 232 stores
Independent Australian shoe retailer Payless Shoes Pty Ltd has signed a million dollar, three-year deal with Primus Telecom, a part of Primus Telecommunications Group, Inc. (NYSE: PTGi), to provide an integrated Voice and Data Network solution including network based EFTPOS system plus additional hosted services across its 232 stores as well as its Sydney-based company head office.
The deployment will include a Primus Private IP Network (PIPN) and Accella Hosted Phone System which will replace the existing legacy telephony services across all sites, and the deployment of a cloud-based Managed Firewall and VPN service.
Primus’ PIPN solution is a fully integrated and managed private IP network based on an MPLS (Multi Protocol Label Switching) network. It utilises the benefits of the latest dynamic routing protocols and MPLS traffic isolation and Quality of Service (QoS) management to create the modern Layer 3 private network. The network is designed to efficiently integrate voice, data and video traffic, as well as EFTPOS transactions on a single data platform.
Primus’ business grade Accella Hosted IP Telephone System or HPS will offer a single integrated phone system for all Payless Shoes sites – and also offers many of the Unified Communications features including voicemail to email, call forwarding and remote office capability on every handset, on every site.
To support the growing volume of mobile and remote users, Primus will deliver its secure cloud-based Managed Firewall Service with a Secure Socket Layer (SSL) remote access.
Combined with carrier-grade network equipment, the infrastructure will provide a high quality, high availability and highly reliable solution backed up by comprehensive tracking and resolution of network events.
To ensure a smooth and seamless transition to the new infrastructure, Primus is building a parallel network for each site, including new data access, Accella HPS and Internet access as well as conducting a complete User Acceptance Testing program prior to service migration at each site.
Kerry Smith, IT Manager of Payless Shoes, believes the key to the success of the project was Primus’ willingness to work so closely with the Payless business team.
“It was very refreshing to work with a company that was flexible enough to build a solution around our specific needs. Primus is a low bureaucracy, nimble and proactive company with a genuine commitment to delivering excellent results. The provision of a parallel network to ease the transition to the new infrastructure has given the entire company an additional level of comfort and confidence in the project.”
Andrew Sims, Primus Telecom’s General Manager of Marketing and Products, believes the upgraded infrastructure will deliver significant benefits for Payless Shoes.
“This upgrade will improve communications quality, efficiency, flexibility and reliability across all sites. We have worked very closely with the Payless team to ensure we deliver infrastructure that matches their current needs but also has the flexibility and scope to support their own business growth and future requirements.”
Mr Smith agrees that the partnership approach has delivered a solution that fits the unique requirements of their business.
“Primus came to us with glowing credentials in the retail sector, and as the process unfolded the team demonstrated a genuine understanding of our specific business needs. Primus will allow us to get on with the running of our business by taking responsibility for the solution infrastructure,” he explained.
Primus’ solution for Payless Shoes at a glance:
- Primus Managed Private IP Network Solution (PIPN)
- Integration of Data, Voice, Email and EFTPOS on a single network
- Accella Hosted Phone System across all Payless Shoes offices
- Automatic failover for EFTPOS and Telephone services to PSTN
- Dynamically configurable PABX features through a Tool Bar
- Inbuilt Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity Services
- Universally available secure remote network access
- Primus Hosted Managed Firewall solution
- High availability and SLAs
/ENDS
About Payless Shoes
Payless Shoes is the largest single brand footwear chain in Australia and currently has a national spread of 231 company owned stores in major shopping malls and CBD locations.
About Primus Australiahttp://www.primus.com.au
Primus Australia is part of Primus Telecommunications Group, Incorporated (PTGi) and is one of Australia’s largest telecommunications carriers. It offers a comprehensive range of high speed broadband, data, Internet, data centre and voice products, servicing both business, residential and carrier sectors. The Primus Australia network provides nationwide coverage through its own backbone network with facilities in 66 cities and 286 DSLAM exchanges across Australia. Primus Australia operates its own fibre network in the five major capital cities, delivering a range of business direct-connect services including Hosted IP PBX services, IP, Ethernet, ATM, ISDN, high speed broadband, data centre and inbound and outbound voice services .
About PTGi http://www.ptgi.com
Primus Telecommunications Group, Incorporated (PTGi) is a leading provider of advanced communication solutions, including traditional and IP voice, data, mobile services, broadband Internet, collocation, hosting, and outsourced managed services to business and residential customers in the United States, Canada, Australia, and Brazil. PTGi owns and operates its own global network of next-generation IP soft switches, media gateways, hosted IP/SIP platforms, broadband infrastructure, fiber capacity, and data centres located in Canada, Australia, and Brazil. Founded in 1994, PTGi is headquartered in McLean, Virginia.