A new IP-based telephone system from IBM is improving parent-teacher communication in Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows School District, while lowering maintenance requirements and costs.

IBM designed and implemented the new Cisco telephone system at Pitt Meadows Secondary School in Pitt Meadows, British Columbia. The implementation at the school is a pilot project for the board, which is considering installing similar systems in other schools in the future.

"Our old system was more than 20-years old -- difficult and expensive to maintain, with few of the modern features we need for effective communication," said Quirina Gamblen, IT Manager, Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows School District. "The new system includes features like individual voicemail for teachers, making it easier for administrators, teaching and support staff to respond to calls effectively; the new system will reduce maintenance costs."

The project at Pitt Meadows included the installation of 92 IP phones, as well as backend hardware and networking infrastructure. The project was completed in August 2006.

"As Maple Ridge continues to roll out IP telephony in their schools, they're going to reap tremendous benefits such as improved communication within their district, and increased operational efficiency with lower maintenance costs," said Marc Seeman, IBM Canada's national integrated communications executive.