King's College London newsletter
KING'S CONNECTS On Monday 23 May at 3pm in the Council Room, the documents awarding Ferranti Business Communications Ltd the contracts to provide the College with a new telephone system were signed by Bill Slade, the College Secretary and Peter Boyes, the Director of Sales and Marketing for Ferranti, the company supplying the new equipment The process of securing a telephone system for the College began approximately 18 months ago when BHP Telecommunications Consultants Ltd were commissioned to advise the College on its telecommunication and data needs in the light of King's multisite operation, with consideration being paid to cost effectiveness and ease of transfer when the move is made to Cornwall House. BHP have done similar work in securing systems for other Colleges of the University of London, for example, University College LSE and West field College.
Following a detailed strategic tudy and rigorous examination of the College and its telecommunication requirements for the long and short-term, BHP were able to produce a specification, which was then taken up by 12 tenders. All 12 were examined and appraised by BHP, with Ferranti emerging as the best contender to supply the College, satisfying the criteria stipulated by the College in consultation with BHP. Advantages of their system include a total software package, good networking capability and excellent maintenance support. Ferranti are an international company with an impressive track record in anum ber of areas. As far as telecommunications are concerned they have installed systems for over 50 other major organisations including Regent's College, Skipton Building Society, Mobil Oil, British Rail plus various banks and local authorities.
Professor Leslie Houldcn delivering his Inaugural Lecture on 26 May
Two digital telephone exchanges, Omni S3 PABXs, located at the Strand and 552 King's Road will replace the existing system which has served the College since 1971. Both the Strand and 552 King's Road will be served by the Strand exchange operators. The new exchange will be situated in Room SA of the Main Building, Strand campus, allowing the release of prime sites presently in use. The main advantages of the new system are listed below.
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It is able to carry both voice and data
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The congestion now experienced by incoming callers will be relieved and calls dealt with more quickly
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The bottlenecks which have been a feature of the present system, that is waiting for a line to become free or for an operator will be avoided
* There will be more external lines, so whereas in the past time was wasted waiting for a line, this should no longer occur Peter Boycs and Bill Slade exchanging the signed contracts
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