HONG KONG - March 11, 2003 - Cisco Systems today announced that the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has implemented the HKSAR's largest Internet Protocol (IP) telephony system, using Cisco IP phones and technology. By converging its separate voice and data networks onto a single IP telephony system PolyU will be able to significantly reduce operational costs. The university also gains a system that can host a variety of new multimedia applications, providing richer user experiences.
More than 2,000 IP phones have been deployed in the PolyU's new Professional Complex and student Halls of Residence.
"The PolyU enrolls more students than any other tertiary institution in the territory. We are always looking for advanced technologies that can enhance our campus operations and learning environment," said Richard Li, director of Information Technology Services, Hong Kong Polytechnic University. "IP telephony is definitely the future for voice communication, and PolyU aims to be among the first to reap its full benefits."
Built around PolyU's Gigabit Ethernet backbone infrastructure, the multimillion-Hong Kong-dollar system is a cornerstone of the University's long-term vision of IP convergence across the entire campus, with voice, data and multimedia traffic running together over the same network.
An all-digital packet-based IP-PBX has replaced the existing PBX, offering far better manageability, higher scalability, simplified maintenance and easier deployment for a variety of on-campus multimedia applications.
We needed a solution that is easy to install, maintain and reconfigure," said Li. "Among the solutions offered, Cisco was able to provide an IP-based telephony system that could significantly reduce our operational cost and allow further application deployment. For these reasons, we opted for Cisco, which has established itself as the market leader in this sector."
According to a recent report by international marketing consulting firm Frost & Sullivan, Cisco, with 77 percent market share, has emerged as the leader in the Asia-Pacific IP-PBX market .
The new Professional Complex and student Halls of Residence are located at the centre of PolyU's extensive campus redevelopment, and are designed to offer a better collegiate environment for the staff and students.
The Complex provides a total net floor area of some 6,700 square metres for academic, administrative and communal use, while the recently completed student Halls of Residence will support 3,000 student places.
"IP telephony is achieving tremendous momentum in Hong Kong and around the world, due to its significant cost-saving potential and promise of high productivity gains," said Errol Chan, general manager, Cisco Systems Hong Kong. ">From lower cost of ownership, through simplified wiring and maintenance, to increased organisational flexibility and efficiency, network convergence is making a real impact for PolyU and other organisations."
Built on Cisco AVVID (Architecture for Voice, Video and Integrated Data), PolyU's IP telephony system is able to transport voice, data and video over a single network infrastructure, while opening up a wide range of applications, including auto attendant, personal assistant, directories and Web-attendant consoles, as well as unified voice mail and messaging services, which flexibly integrate all messages into a single inbox for access via phone, e-mail or Internet.
About the Hong Kong Polytechnic University
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, formerly known as the Hong Kong Polytechnic, is the largest tertiary institution by number of students, with approximately 22,000 full-time and part-time students. A wide range of courses, which meet industrial, commercial and community needs, is offered. In addition to meeting Hong Kong's manpower requirements, PolyU also makes significant contributions towards the territory's success by providing the public and private sectors with its expanding range of consultancy, professional training and applied research services. Through these activities, the university maintains a strong partnership with the business and industrial sectors.About Cisco Systems
Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: CSCO) is the worldwide leader in networking for the Internet. Cisco news and information are available at www.cisco.com.
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