2018 CRN Impact Awards: Modality Systems and BAI Communications

The introduction of Skype for Business PSTN Conferencing excited Microsoft partners when it was announced in 2016, and Modality Systems successfully delivered the first rollout in Australia with a project for BAI Communications.

The conferencing service allows BAI to offer a dial-in number that allows participants to join Skype for Business meetings from any device.

BAI is Australian-headquartered company with operations in the US, Canada, UK and Hong Kong, that builds and operations communication networks like cellular, wi-fi and broadcast radio.

The company was looking for a new phone system that would enable flexible working, given that a third of its staff are based in remote offices.

Modality Systems designed a cloud PBX solution for BAI with Skype for Business PSTN, moving its traditional PBX connection server into the cloud. The solution included on-premises PSTN connectivity achieved by enabling Skype for Business in Office 365, with all PSTN access through a local SIP trunk breakout.

The on-premises component also required Cloud Collector Edition to bridge Office 365 and the on-premises PSTN gateway and SIP trunk.

The phone system was first piloted with 40 users in BAI's Sydney headquarters before rolling out to 450 staff in metropolitan and rural areas.

To help staff better adopt to the new communications system, Modality developed a training solution to ensure users were getting the most out of the new system. Modality's user adoption consultant devised programs for on-site training, online training and advanced end-user.

The project, which took two years to deliver, has brought down BAI's conferencing costs by more than 70 percent, as well as allowing the company to decommission outdated technology.

An internal survey showed that productivity had increased by 94 percent for users that implemented Modality Systems' adoption program.

"Modality Systems delivered an outstanding cloud-based project and enabled an integrated UC interface for BAI Communications," said BAI chief information officer Peter Turnbull.

"The new service enables employees in Australia, the UK and USA to instantly connect with any contact or PSTN number from a Skype for Business application on their PC, laptop, meeting room or smartphone.

"Video conferencing is integrated with email and calendaring, and employees can instantly share desktops with colleagues. With the solution giving people the ability to come together in a shared workspace, BAI Communications employees now and into the future will be able to establish more dynamic working relationships," Turnbull said.

Modality Systems is a finalist in the 'Workforce Empowerment' category in the 2018 CRN Impact Awards. For a list of all finalists and further details on the awards, please head to the CRN Impact Awards hub. The awards take place during the CRN Pipeline conference. You can get more information and purchase tickets here.