A LANCASHIRE-based provider of secure wireless communications systems has deployed a radio solution to South WestCollege in Northern Ireland.
The radio-based solution is set to enhance the ability of the multi-site college’s IT team to operate a central help desk, whilst quickly responding to emergencies.
TES Radio from Leyland, won the tender to supply radios to South West College’s campuses in Cookstown, Dungannon, Enniskillen and Omagh.
With over 500 staff and 25,000 students, the logistics of managing the IT department were daunting.
South West College’s Technical Supervisor, George Frazer, said: “Our three main campuses are about 30-40 miles apart, so it’s a good 45 minutes to an hour drive to get from one to the other.
“The campuses are also quite large with big buildings and set in hilly terrain, so communication wise, the traditional radio equipment we had was inadequate in terms of site coverage and signal,” added Mr. Frazer.
“Previously I had to phone the IT offices at our other campuses and hope someone was there or available on Skype. Now I can pick up the radio to call another campus and know that they can hear me, or I can do a general call to everyone on that campus.
“This will greatly improve work flow and operational efficiency. If there’s an emergency, we can contact somebody and get them to the problem rapidly – from me in Dungannon to someone in Omagh or Enniskillen. We now have a speed of communication that we simply didn’t have before.”
Keith Edwards, the Managing Director of TES Radio, said: “Last year we were accepted as member of the North Western Universities Purchasing Consortium, so we were delighted to have won the tender to provide a radio solution to SouthWest College.
“We pre-configured the college’s IP radios, which meant reduced engineering time for the college – and they integrate into the existing IP network.
“It’s a demonstration of the fact that we can come up with a solution, even in an environment where there are profound coverage challenges,” added Mr. Edwards.
