Sussex County Cricket Club had a legacy digital phone system with eight ISDN2 channels connected to it. In addition, it had in the region of 20 single analogue lines around the ground and at remote sites/venues. Many of these analogue lines served to carry a number of ADSL circuits. Inbound and Outbound calls were billed by different suppliers, the inbound operated via 0871 numbers. The mobile contract was via the ECB on the Vodafone network, IT support through a local firm and Energy procurement was done directly by the club's facilities manager. All together there were eight suppliers providing these services to the club.
Initially, we took over the billing of the outbound calls. This made an instant financial impact, saving the club 38%.
Due to the nature of cricket, establishing which lines were superfluous was more challenging. However, after careful review, we were able to cease over half of the club's analogue lines.
We highlighted to the club the negative image that the use of 0871 could be generating. We replaced the range with 0844 numbers which reduced the cost of calling the club by 90%.
By delivering a 100Mb Ethernet service we were able to cancel all of the club's ADSL circuits, deliver excellent public WiFi around the ground and implement an alternative to the club's legacy ISDN solution. We proposed a move to SIP trunks and a replacement phone system which would allow greater control, a built-in DR solution and reduced OPEX. The club embraced these changes and now has a system with a vastly enhanced array of features that deliver greater productivity.
The club now operate their Mobile contract through Focus, receiving dedicated support, a replacement handset service, and has an annual review to ensure the contract remains competitive.
Focus Energy manages the club's Gas & Electricity procurement. This has saved the club thousands and removes the taxing task of going to market from their facilities manager.
Focus IT Services now supports the club's IT & LAN infrastructure. A full audit was carried out and a 24/7 support contract was agreed to ensure continuity, particularly on match days.
Focus Group have subsequently delivered a new IP-enabled Samsung PBX, a 100Mb Ethernet circuit with VLANs to cater for both their SIP Voice traffic, Public WiFi access and their own data requirements. In conjunction with this, we also provide the club's Mobile infrastructure, IT Support and Energy procurement.
