Phenomenal Networks Installs Voice Over IP System
for Minnesota School District

Edina, Minnesota – Phenomenal Networks announced today it has completed the installation of a Voice Over IP (VoIP) system under a contract awarded a by ISD 287 school district. The system provides state-of-the-art; secure communication systems to improve communications with the District service Center and the schools that ISD 287 serves. To date, two Schools and the District service Center have been fully equipped with Cisco IP telephones and switching infrastructure replacing the out dated PBX system.

"We are excited to have been picked by ISD 287 as the provider of this advanced technology," commented Dave Shepherdson, President of Phenomenal, "The convergence of Voice, Video and Data can really help keep our education providers effective and well connected."

The contract covered the design, equipment installation, support and initial training. Installation went smoothly and ensured a good start for the new school year. "Using this technology helps us to maintain our pledge to keep our district at the forefront of educational facilities," said Jana Breitner, technology specialist for ISD 287 and coordinator of the project. "This enables our teachers, administrators and student families keep in touch easily and at lower cost than the old system".

"Cost of the system was much lower than replacing the existing systems with traditional PBX solutions plus we get all the added functional and performance benefits with simple expansion capability for the future", commented Mark Case, Business Director for ISD 287, "Also one of the key requirements of the new system was to simplify moves and additions of phones while minimizing the cost of those changes. We believe that these cost savings will be many thousands of dollars a year plus we can ease the burden on our technical staff".

The system is based on two Cisco VOIP PABX systems each based on a pair of redundant Cisco 7825 Media Convergence Servers with Cisco's Call Manager software that provides and controls all the phone features. The district wanted their users to have the latest capabilities of converged e-mail, voice mail and fax - usually termed Unified Messaging. This functionality is provided by Cisco's Unity software that works with Microsoft Exchange allowing users to get messages in any format both from local and remote locations. Further backup capability is provided by using the Survivable Remote Site Telephony (SRST) functionality available as part of the control software. This allows calls to continue if part of the system fails and also can fall back to calls over the standard PSTN phone system in the worst case.

IP phones are very flexible and can be simply moved around, as they are not tied to one physical jack point address. However this flexibility can lead to concerns over the need to locate personnel in 911 emergency situations. This issue is solved by use of Cisco's Emergency Responder option that automatically and constantly checks and updates the details of each phone so emergency services can identify the caller's location. Even traveling callers are identified and in the event of a 911 call, their details are forwarded to the nearest Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP).

"This is our first project in IP telephony and we are very pleased with the help and support we get from Phenomenal Networks," said Breitner. "They have followed their proposed plan well and have been very flexible when necessary. I would certainly recommend their services to other schools and organizations."

About ISD 287

Created by thirteen area districts to provide educational services and programs that complement and support their own programs, the mission of Intermediate District 287 is to creatively meet the diverse and changing needs of learners through cooperatively delivered, high-quality, cost-effective services.

January 23, 2006