College brought up to speed by Bespoke Computing
An independent specialist college in Shropshire has undergone a major overhaul of its IT infrastructure to ensure its communication network can support and sustain its growth and development into the future.
Condover College Limited, which delivers support and further education to young adults with learning difficulties and disabilities at approximately a dozen sites in and around Shrewsbury, commissioned Bespoke Computing to implement the wide ranging refurbishment of its IT services.
The overhaul included the installation of high-speed data circuits, new VOIP phones and their associated management systems, plus enhanced security and inter-site connectivity.
Bespoke Computing Managing Director Chris Pallett said the firm was originally called in to address email issues for the college.
He said: “We identified a series of other issues including poor internet connectivity, due to the geographic location of its main site, unreliable voice-over-internet-protocol (VOIP) telephones, also hampered by poor connection speeds, and open access to the internet by users, allowing for potential security and safeguarding issues.
“We took over all of the telephone lines, broadband and VOIP services for the entire organisation. In addition, we proposed the installation of WatchGuard firewalls at each location, significantly enhancing security and access controls at every site and preparing the way for the sharing of data resources across those sites in the future.
“Our reappraisal of the connectivity options revealed we were able to deliver a tremendous speed boost to the sites for a lower cost than the existing very slow connections and the college now enjoys the benefit of a 50Mbps dedicated fibre circuit into its main site.”
Bespoke Computing engineers have also reconfigured the broadband connections at each of the college’s sites and installed a new, modern, fit-for-purpose VOIP solution for calls, updating all of the telephone handsets in the process.
Achieving this major VOIP upgrade also involved Bespoke Computing liaising with network manager, BT Openreach, and industry regulator Ofcom, due to issues presented by the incumbent provider.
Chris added: “Our programme of work has ensured that Condover College is now fit for the future in terms of IT and prepared to more easily take advantage of future upgrades and the introduction of new capabilities when they become necessary.”
Condover College Chief Executive Vikki Pryce said: “Bespoke Computing came highly recommended from another provider. Their suggestions have made huge changes that have benefited our phone and computer systems, all of which have been very successful and achieved with very little disruption.
“Bespoke Computing lived up to their recommendation and I would highly recommend them.”