Microsoft Information Worker Australia : Genesys

Leighton Contractors Constructs Australian-first Collaborative Infrastructure Dimension Data Deploys Integrated IP Telephony with Microsoft Office System and Live Communications Server for 500 Users at Leighton Contractors

oscartr — Fri, 30 Mar 2007 02:53:00 GMT

I get asked for information on Leighton Contractors about once a week so I thought I would get in this out for easier reference

Leighton Contractors Constructs Australian-first Collaborative Infrastructure Dimension Data Deploys Integrated IP Telephony with Microsoft Office System and Live Communications Server for 500 Users at Leighton Contractors

http://www.dimensiondata.com/NR/rdonlyres/EEFA4B72-3DC2-4F87-A140-541D9BD0E1D6/4851/LeightonContractorsConstructsAustralianfirstCollab.pdf

Sydney, Australia – 11 May 2006 – In an Australian first, construction and engineering firm Leighton Contractors (“Leightons”) has combined the flexibility of IP telephony with Microsoft Office System and Live Communications Server to significantly enhanced communication and productivity for 500 staff in its Sydney Corporate Office and the New South Wales Branch of its Construction Division.

Dimension Data has developed a collaborative infrastructure with the deployment of Microsoft Office System and Live Communications Server (“LCS”) integrated with Cisco CallManager via Genesys Enterprise Telephony Software (“GETS”).

Using Microsoft Office Communicator (“Communicator”) as the unified communications client, Leightons’ users have access to a feature-rich collaborative and real-time communication environment encompassing presence awareness, including telephony information and phone control.

Through the innovative use of this technology, Dimension Data and Leightons have merged network and telephony availability into a single online presence accessible within Microsoft Office 2003 applications, allowing staff to collaborate with colleagues using the most appropriate communications channel, with click-to-call, click-to-email and click-to-IM options. These communication sessions can be initiated from within Microsoft Office System, the Communicator client or Microsoft Outlook.

“The flexibility offered by a collaborative infrastructure was an ideal solution for Leighton Contractors. We have a decentralised and flexible management structure, designed to be very responsive at the local level and tailored to each project we undertake,” said Scott Ferguson, IT Infrastructure and Services Manager, Leighton Contractors Pty Ltd.

“Leightons viewed Cisco IP Telephony and Microsoft Live Communications Server as ideal communication technologies to dovetail into this dynamic and flexible management structure, enhancing collaboration and supporting our local decision-making capability. Dimension Data has proved to be a valuable partner in the project as they have combined high-end capabilities with both Microsoft and Cisco, covering all the technical elements required for a complex integration project of this kind.”

Dimension Data developed the LCS solution as part of a project to deploy a managed operating environment for Leighton Contractors nationally, together with a new core IP Telephony, wireless and security infrastructure, and directory and messaging upgrade.

“The catalyst for Leighton Contractors was our recent move to a new Corporate Office in Sydney. The project-based nature of our work, together with short time frames often required to relocate or establish new operations made a less-rigid communications infrastructure very attractive,” said Mr Ferguson.

“Using an integrated Microsoft and Cisco IP-based collaborative infrastructure, we can make changes to the environment with minimal business disruption; and further deployment has the ability to scale nationally and globally at an extremely low cost. This places Leightons at great competitive advantage in the market, knowing we can set up operations quickly and economically to take advantage of commercial opportunities as they arise.”

Mr Oscar Trimboli, Director, Unified Communications Group, Microsoft Australia, said the project at Leighton Contractors provides an intuitive experience that seamlessly brings all modes of communication -- email, instant messaging, phone, Office Systems Applications - together in a compelling, unified communications experience.

As a services-based organisation, increased staff productivity is a major goal for Leightons in the LCS deployment. One expected benefit is reducing the amount of travel required for staff, and

finding more productive ways to do business remotely – both internally, and also with customers and partners.

“Mobility is another big consideration with a collaborative infrastructure. We have to work with people that aren't sitting at the next desk anymore – they may not even be in the same time zone,” said Jon Farrell, Principal Consultant, Dimension Data.

“Leightons has a highly-mobile workforce and using these technologies, we can extend presence and communication out to the mobile device such as a PDA, allowing rich collaboration and reliable contact methods for workers either out on site or travelling.”

Microsoft Live Communications Server was rolled out to Leightons staff in its Sydney Corporate Headquarters and the New South Wales Branch Office of its Construction Division in April 2006.

Unified Communications Market in Australia Version 1.0 Definition

oscartr — Wed, 28 Mar 2007 08:25:00 GMT

I have made a listing of the players in the Australian Unified Communications market place.

The reason I am putting this listing out is making sure everyone locally is connecting with the right organisations

Unified Communications means all industry players need to work together for the benefit of our joint customers

Tell me if I am missing some great local market players.

Let me know if you would like your Unified Communications solution highlighted on our Unified Communications Down Under Blog

3D Networks	Gartner	PolyCom
Adtech Global Solutions	Genesys	Professional Advantage
Alcatel	gen-i	Propensity International
Allcom Networks Pty Ltd	Getronics	Schepisi Communications
Alphawest	Global Connect	Siemens
Avanade	HandsOn Systems	Solutions IT
Avaya	HP	Southern Cross Computer Systems
Blue Arc	IBM	StarCom
BroadReach	I-Comm	Strategic Data Management
C4 Systems Pty Ltd	Integ	TANDBERG
Calltime	IPFX	Tecala
Cisco	KAZ Group	Telsyte
Commander	L7 Solutions	Telstra
Computer Systems (Australia)	LongNeck Consulting	The Frame Group
Computer Telephone Integration	Market Clarity	Total Network Support Pty Ltd
CSC	Message Manager	Unique World Group
Data #3	Mitel	Unisys
Dimension Data	NEC	VoIP Pty Ltd
EDS	Netstar	Webcentral
EMC	New Era Communications	Westan Australia Pty Ltd
Essential Data + Voice	Nortel	Xtream
Frost & Sullivan	NSC	Zeacom
Fujitsu	OBS
	Optus
	Ovum