CUSTOMER SUCCESS STORY
VLCM and RingCentral Guide a County in Utah to Cloud Migration Success
Embracing the power of the cloud can be a significant turning point for any organization. For a certain county in Utah, the decision to migrate its telephony infrastructure to a cloud-based system was more than an upgrade; it was a strategic move towards enhanced communication and future readiness. Partnering with VLCM, an IT solutions provider, the county smoothly transitioned from its aging Mitel system to RingCentral, setting the stage for improved connectivity and resilience in the face of potential disruptions like another pandemic.
The county was an existing Mitel premise customer, facing the choice that many organizations with aging infrastructures grapple with; whether to upgrade their system to the cloud or not. As their telephony equipment approached the 10-year mark, this decision became all the more pressing. The situation especially piqued their interest when Mitel announced their plans to sell off their MiCloud business to RingCentral, making RingCentral their cloud partner of choice.
"Initially, we had bid both RingCentral and 8x8 to the client," recalls Troy Blanchard, VLCM’s Communication Pre-Sales Engineer. "However, since we attained implementation certification with RingCentral, I believe this put RingCentral at the head of the class. By proposing that we manage the implementation ourselves, we would save the county $5,000. This pivotal move positioned RingCentral as the frontrunner for this project."
VLCM's RFP responses from RingCentral and 8x8 underwent meticulous evaluation, and the county ultimately chose to award the bid to VLCM and RingCentral. This decision began with a 60-month signed contract, followed by project management, data gathering, and planning for the transition.
The move to the cloud brought cost savings to the county and added features like SMS and MMS texting capabilities, eFax capabilities, and increased mobility options. This technological leap ensured that the county was better equipped to handle the mobility demands brought to the forefront by the pandemic.
The triumph of this project largely rests on the strong collaboration between the county's IT team and Gene Godfrey, VLCM’s Technical Director of Communication Services. "The county's IT team had a deep understanding of their internal and wide-area network, as well as their phone system setup," Blanchard reflects, “coupled with Gene’s familiarity with their current system, this partnership ensured the migration process was executed seamlessly and efficiently.
"RingCentral's migration package is intended to streamline the customer's transition," says Godfrey. "But, because of our prior experience with their system, we were able to provide a more in-depth and informed consultation regarding their existing setup and the necessary adjustments. This level of engagement proved to be a major benefit."
The implementation was completed in three phases across the county's facilities, including the public library, tourism, and county headquarters. The process was completed in two months, commencing live operations in early January 2023.
"Usually, these processes can be disruptive, but with the county, each phase was very quiet and smooth," Blanchard says. This smooth transition was a clear measure of success for the project.
The county was relieved of its aging premise infrastructure dilemma and embraced a cloud-based system's agility, mobility, and cost-effectiveness. "What sealed the deal was the mobility that came to light as a result of the pandemic," states Godfrey.
With the county's IT team on-site, the VLCM team worked remotely, spearheaded by Blanchard and Godfrey. Despite the remote setup, the process faced no unexpected challenges, further showcasing VLCM's expertise and the robustness of the RingCentral solution.
VLCM's strong understanding of Mitel equipment gave them a unique advantage in migrating to RingCentral. "We can consult with the customer and suggest changes based on their existing setup, providing a level of service beyond what RingCentral can offer," says Blanchard.
Blanchard remarks, "This was a significant milestone for us. It marked our first full RingCentral implementation, serving as a valuable opportunity for our team to expand our expertise and refine our approach. The experience was rewarding and instrumental in shaping our future cloud migration strategies.”
Moreover, this cloud migration journey reaffirmed the power of strategic partnerships in delivering successful IT transformations. The county's IT team worked hand-in-hand with VLCM to ensure a seamless transition, underscoring the importance of collaboration, mutual trust, and shared expertise.
The county's successful transition to the cloud serves as an ideal example for other organizations grappling with similar decisions. It demonstrates that the journey to the cloud can be a smooth and transformative process with the right partner, deep technical expertise, and a clear vision.
The move to RingCentral has undeniably enhanced the county's technological capabilities, particularly in terms of improved communication and mobility. This journey is about embracing change, making strategic decisions, and the value of effective collaboration. Importantly, it serves as a success story for VLCM, underlining its expertise and commitment to delivering high-quality IT solutions that empower organizations to adapt and thrive in an ever-evolving landscape.
To learn more about VLCM’s Voice solutions and services, please visit www.vlcm.com/unified-communications. To read how VLCM has helped other clients Get IT Right, visit our Customer Success Stories Library.
Our client is a County located in the state of Utah. We have accommodated their request to anonymize their name.
Local government
RingCentral
Partner with VLCM to achieve a comprehensive communications strategy that fits within your budget and resources. Our team can help you:
To start your journey, submit the form on your right. Following your form submission, VLCM will:
"I am very impressed with VLCM and their commitment to getting the solutions we request and suggesting solutions that will help our company grow. They make it easy to get new technology. They are easy to work with and very flexible. We have used them for years and I will continue to come back because they care about me and my company."
"I've been a customer of VLCM for about 9 years while I've been with 2 separate companies. They have consistently provided great service for all of our technology needs that have arisen during this time. As the lone IT person at my current company it is comforting knowing that I can lean on the resources that VLCM has available to assist me when problems arise. VLCM was instrumental in helping to implement a virtual environment that would have taken me months to complete by myself. On every project that I have worked on with them they have always had someone with a high degree of expertise that has been involved. I would definitely recommend them as a technology partner for businesses large or small."
"I have worked with VLCM more years then I can remember. They have always been there with fair pricing, outstanding consulting, and amazing customer support. The staff at VLCM has earned my trust and deep respect. They are always willing to go the extra mile both before and after the sale. On top of that they have made me look good to my various bosses over the years by making sure that projects are almost always under budget and on time. I can not think of a better partner for my IT needs at Alpine School District, Access Data and now at Nelson Labs."
Copyright VLCM | All Rights Reserved | Privacy
