27 March 2014
Jasco has transformed the communications capability of
a major Eastern Cape motor dealer, introducing Voice Over IP (VoIP) and free
inter-branch communication, a move that has cut the organisation’s
telecommunications costs by more than 40 percent. Three years into the
implementation, the solution continues to deliver savings and facilitate
improved internal and external communications as more branches migrate onto the
VoIP platform.
The motor dealer’s communications capability is mission
critical. They use it across all facets of their operations, from vehicle sales
to servicing of vehicles, and interacting with customers, suppliers, partners
and other organisations that are a part of their value chain – for example, financial
services providers, licensing departments and parts suppliers. There is also a
considerable amount of voice traffic between their half-dozen or so dealerships
in the region. When the motor dealer undertook construction of a new flagship
dealership in 2010, they decided to implement an advanced communication
platform that would allow them to leverage new technologies across the group.
This would lay the foundation for future operational improvements, ensuring
scalability and ongoing cost savings.
The organisation selected a VoIP solution proposed by Jasco, with whom
it had an established relationship. A tightly integrated voice recording
solution would assist to mitigate business risk.
A spokesperson explained that VoIP technologies and services have
stabilised over the last five years. Converged voice and data solutions that
make use of next-generation networks lead the way in terms of corporate
communications. Their single most
important proviso in assessing a technology solution and selecting service
provider was, however, that service delivery not be compromised. Jasco’s strategic
partnership with established network providers with national
points of presence (POPs), brought the motor dealership that assurance.”
Incoming and outgoing calls
are routed via a Telkom PRI line and PABX, facilitating the initiation of voice
recording on all calls. Calls are then offloaded onto the provider’s network. They
then, via its partnership with Jasco, offer the motor dealership preferred
rates for all Telkom and mobile calls. Jasco manages the service end-to-end.
The solution was initially
installed at the newly constructed site. The team had two months to implement.
A PABX was installed and commissioned, with all staff fully trained in the use
of the system prior to the move from the old to the new facility.
According to the motor
dealership’s spokesperson: “The strength of Jasco’s network provider partner is
the cost reduction. We previously made use of Premicells, which route outgoing
calls to mobile networks directly, bypassing the Telkom exchange. While this
provides savings in the long term, we were bound into a long term relationship
in order to achieve those savings. The VoIP solution, on the other hand, makes
use of the provider’s network where per second billing is in place.”
What was the cost benefit? Explains
Mark Jones, Jasco’s Executive Head: Eastern
Cape: “Our solution together with our network provider partner delivered
a 40% saving on communications costs, from day one.”
Says the motor dealership
spokesperson: “The Jasco differentiator is that it can offer us what no other
solution provider could – a leading edge VoIP solution with free inter-branch communication.
And their offering is backed by a solid capability to execute and meet the high
levels of service we demand. We have established a strong relationship with the
Jasco team.”
The motor dealership is also
looking beyond the VoIP architecture it currently has in place. Says the
spokesperson: “Together with Jasco we are piloting LAN VoIP. Essentially this
solution does not require a PABX; it makes use of the PC network and a single
hard switch for telephony. If the pilot is successful, it will mean we no
longer need to install the traditional hardware needed for telephony, cutting
capital expenditure.”