Three Firms Leverage Global Crossing's IP Network and CDW to Simplify Telecommunications

VERNON HILLS, Ill. -- CDW Corp. provided design assistance to implement converged audio, video and data network solutions from Global Crossing for Summer Bay Resorts, Pentax Medical Co. and The Riverside Co.

Global Crossing's portfolio of fully managed, converged IP services includes Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), IP VPN, Remote VPN access, Internet Access and IP Video. These services are supported by a comprehensive suite of managed solutions, simplifying the management and maintenance and improving the security and reliability of the converged IP solution.

Summer Bay Resorts, which offers timeshare developments in Tennessee, Florida, Nevada and Missouri, also operates more than 500 operator seats at call centers Florida and Missouri. Running 24 hours a day, in 2006 the call centers handled 7.1 million phone calls supporting Summer Bay's marketing and customer service operations. Global Crossing's SIP-enabled enterprise VoIP solutions enable Summer Bay to manage all four locations and call centers while reducing the company's annual telecommunications expense by more than 50 percent.

Pentax Medical , a manufacturer of life care systems, imaging systems, and optical components, operates 10 widely dispersed sales and distribution centers across the United States. Pentax planned to upgrade its aging frame-relay system to a new multiprotocol label switching (MPLS) wide-area network  and selected Global Crossing as its service provider. CDW facilitated additional details, such as Web-based and audio collaboration services, calling cards, and conference bridges. Beyond the benefit of the MPLS WAN for improved Internet service, Pentax valued its improved voice connectivity and the advantages it presented for disaster preparedness. Since installing the solution, the company has reduced its total service bill by about $22,000 per month.

The Riverside Co., a New York-based private equity firm with 48 portfolio companies in the United States and 11 in Europe, has completed installations at 19 of its portfolio companies. Those properties now have access to WAN services, conferencing, local calling, international long distance, and other special services."