General Needs; Connectivity; Cost-Effective Calling - AT&T MERLIN LEGEND Release 3.1 System Manager's Manual

Scenario 3: A Dual-Location Company

General Needs

The company has several broad areas of concern:

Connectivity

Cost-effective calling

Toll fraud and calling restrictions
In addition, the company would like to provide these features to all or most
telephone users:
Easy dialing of frequently called numbers
Covering of calls
Answering of calls after hours
Connectivity
The two sites need to communicate easily by voice and also must transmit data
rapidly back and forth.
Many staff members in both locations require connectivity to the company's
customer, inventory, and order processing databases. The company uses two
local area networks (LANs) that share data communications equipment (DCE)
connected to LAN server computers. The LANs are linked by gateway
computers. Volume is high, and communications must be speedy in order to
serve both direct marketing and corporate customers.
Customers place orders to high-speed Group IV (G4) fax machines and also
use slower analog fax equipment. In addition, some customers transmit orders
electronically over the Internet, and off-site employees frequently find electronic
mail convenient.
Executive and professional staffers use the Internet to communicate with
customers and associates outside the company, review developments in their
industry, and keep up with professional organizations in their fields.
In addition, executives use group videoconferencing to meet without the need
for travel. Personal desktop videoconferencing and data-sharing are essential to
ensure that product design and factory operations mesh smoothly and that
manufacturing problems are resolved rapidly.
Cost-Effective Calling
The company uses incoming and outgoing 800 and WATS services for
customer interaction. In addition, customers need to call in directly when they
require help, without going through an operator. They often use an automated
response system to check their order status or place a small order.
Putting the System to Work
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