Nashua-Plainfield Community School District
Service Focus: Managed Voice Service
Student Population: 590+
Counties Served: Bremer, Butler, Chickasaw, & Floyd
Buildings (3): Elementary School (pre-K – 5th), Middle/High School (6th-12th), Husky Wellness Center
Summary: Nashua-Plainfield CSD embraced the opportunity to upgrade their outdated landlines by implementing the VoIP communications platform offered by the ICN.
Background
The outdated landline system used by a rural school in northeastern Iowa needed to be replaced with an alternate communications platform. The goals were to update the VoIP system, integrated long-distance calls, be user-friendly, and connect all three of the school buildings.
Evaluating Buildings
The infrastructure was one problem. A hundred-year-old, three-story building was one of the structures. Before the VoIP service was installed, an evaluation of the original cat5e cables that were installed more than 20 years ago and the corresponding structures was necessary to ensure voice quality and connectivity.
Implementation and Solutions
Accommodations for VoIP System
Although all three of the district's buildings were connected by fiber, the VoIP lines between the buildings required some small adjustments. The majority of the original cat5e cables were still functional despite being partially cut by years of construction, requiring the installation of new cables.
The school district was able use the managed layer 3 switches in each building to free up capacity on the fiber line. Their VoIP phones connected between buildings with a pair of fiber lines, utilizing their original cat5e network cabling. The district was able to quickly install the VoIP system and save money by being able to use the original networks
VoIP Pricing and All the Extras
The cost per phone and all of the extra services were significant factors when choosing the ICN. The components offered included the phones (more than 75), switches, support, installation, training, and a private, separate network—all for a fair monthly fee.
Staff Can Connect Anywhere
Staff and parent communication are effortless. The VoIP features are available to staff everywhere they go. Users can quickly set up voicemails to be delivered to their email, and the platform can be integrated into a PC and mobile app.
The service is very easy to use, easy transition from our old system to the new system, reasonable price point, and great support.
- Chris Smith, Tech Coordinator, Nashua-Plainfield Schools