Matrix transforms communication at rural Maharashtra university

The university in rural Maharashtra is committed to providing a holistic and inclusive education that focuses on character building, intellectual growth, and community service. Its mission is to develop knowledgeable, compassionate citizens.

With an emphasis on interdisciplinary studies, experiential learning, and cultural heritage preservation, the institution aims to foster creativity, innovation, leadership, and responsible global citizenship. Featuring one of the largest campuses in Mumbai, the university offers a diverse range of programs across nine different disciplines.

Challenge/requirements

The client faced considerable difficulties with their current communication system. The wired configuration demanded frequent maintenance, and ongoing problems with voice communication quality persisted. The primary challenges they encountered included:

• Problems with wired communication: The wired system experienced issues like corrosion, pioneering to a decline in communication quality.
• Call Quality: The communication system faced problems like dropped calls and interruptions during active conversations.
• Multi-location and Unified Communication Solution: Upgrading the infrastructure was essential to connect and unify various sites across the campus.
• Integration with Existing Infrastructure: The new solution had to be compatible with their current setup to bring modernisation.
• Redundancy: To guarantee minimal or no downtime, especially in emergencies, incorporating redundancy was essential.

Solution

Matrix, in partnership with Shreeji Comsec, designed a solution that greatly improved the university's communication capabilities. The key aspects of this solution are summarised below:

• The current infrastructure relied on copper PRI lines, which needed to be upgraded to IP. To support this transition, two Matrix VoIP-PRI gateways, the SETU VTEP2P and SETU VTEP4P, were utilised.
• The VoIP-PRI gateways are now compatible with two Matrix IP Phones: the SPARSH VP510 and SPARSH VP210.
• The IP connection can now be routed through SIP (TATA) trunks via the Matrix server-based PBX, ANANT.
• The server-based PBX, ANANT, provided seamless communication with integrated redundancy, effectively eliminating downtime.

Results

The solution enabled the university to consolidate multiple sites into a single communication network. Legacy systems were smoothly integrated with modern VoIP technology, optimising existing investments and enhancing the overall communication infrastructure. This upgrade notably increased operational efficiency. Here is a detailed overview of the solution:

• Multi-location Solution: Multiple sites were integrated into a unified, comprehensive communication system.
• Unified Communication Solution: Integrating with the server-based PBX, ANANT, facilitated seamless collaboration and ensured uninterrupted information transfer and reception.
• Investment Optimisation: The integration of SIP with the Matrix Solution, seamlessly incorporated into the existing network infrastructure. This approach maximised the use of existing resources and avoided the need for additional investments.
• Operational Efficiency: The redundancy built into ANANT ensured minimal or no downtime, facilitating a continuous flow of information and significantly enhancing workflow efficiency. This feature was crucial for maintaining critical communications and handling emergencies effectively.
• Modern Features: The office now benefits from advanced functionalities provided by Matrix Standard SIP desk phones, including the SPARSH VP510. These features, such as call-back and auto-answer over secure SIP communication, greatly enhance the university’s communication capabilities.

The Matrix communication solution allowed the university to both enhance and modernise its communication capabilities, equipping them with advanced, state-of-the-art call features.