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UNCF Implements Internet Telephony

  • By Dian Schaffhauser
  • 06/25/09

UNCF--the United Negro College Fund--has partnered with iCore Networks to implement a centralized phone system using a concept the vendor calls Voice over Private Internet (VoPI). In a VoPI scenario, communications are done on a dedicated circuit.

"iCore's VoPI system will enable UNCF to integrate its telephony system at headquarters and its branch offices nationwide," said Michael Lomax, the organization's president and CEO. "This will allow our entire organization to operate seamlessly and more cost-effectively."

Currently UNCF is using multiple phone service providers to handle the telephony needs of its 20 locations throughout the United States. Each service provider has a different billing method, different available features, and different price points.

The new service, which is hosted by iCore, will allow four-digit dialing between all UNCF offices and unlimited local and long distance in the United States. iCore's system also provides an Auto Attendant that has the ability to route calls to locations and individuals as designed. The organization will use Cisco phones, although the iCore services will work with phones from any voice over IP vendor.

UNCF supports 39 member historically black colleges and universities in acquiring the resources necessary to provide students with a high quality education.

About the Author

Dian Schaffhauser is a former senior contributing editor for 1105 Media's education publications THE Journal, Campus Technology and Spaces4Learning.

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