• Affiniti designs, delivers and supports 3000 user converged IP communications infrastructure
  
• Reuters to adopt IP Telephony as global standard using London project as template

Affiniti, the communications integrator created from the coming together of Kingston Communications Business Services, Omnetica and Technica, today announces that it has successfully delivered a new IP Communications infrastructure for global information company Reuters.

Reuters wanted a best-of-breed communications infrastructure to underpin its FAST Forward business transformation programme, and the consolidation of its London offices at a flagship new HQ at 30 South Colonnade in Canary Wharf. The new building is designed to be physical embodiments of Reuters values, playing a major role in bringing together previously disparate parts of the organisation and supporting the change in working culture.

The highly available, secure, 3000 user converged IP infrastructure meets all Reuters data, voice and video communications requirements. Reuters workforce is migrating to the new building in a phased approach during the Summer of 2005.

"The migration has progressed extremely smoothly. There has been a real sense of calm and business as usual on the Monday mornings following our move weekends, with very positive feedback from users,"� comments Steve Burke, IT Workstream Head for the project. "We now have a fully integrated, high performance, flexible infrastructure that will underpin our business requirements now and in the future. Reuters is looking to adopt IP Telephony as a global standard, using this migration as a template for future deployments."�

A key benefit of the Cisco-based infrastructure is the 'roaming' ability, enabled by wireless networking and extension mobility using IP phones, allowing staff to work anywhere in the building and encouraging a more integrated working culture. Reuters is making extensive use of IP communications applications, including unified messaging to integrate voice and email messages, a contact centre suite to enhance internal helpdesk facilities, and a 16000-strong global employee directory available via the IP handsets.

Affiniti designed, project managed and implemented the infrastructure, and has also recently been appointed to support and manage the IP Telephony network with a combination of on-site engineers and remote monitoring.

"Reuters selected Affiniti as our networking partner for our move to Canary Wharf  because of their thought leadership skills in communications integration and IP Telephony, as well as their proven track record in office consolidations of this scale and their strong reputation in the City,"� adds Steve Burke. "Affiniti worked proactively with us throughout the project, and managed all the changes that inevitably arise with admirable flexibility and without any impact on timelines."�

Peter Halls, Director of Affiniti, concluded: "We are delighted to have played such a key role in helping Reuters to exploit the latest IP communications technology to underpin its major business transformation programme. This project further underlines Affiniti's pedigree as a valuable business partner for City organisations."�

Affiniti, the communications integrator, specialises in designing, implementing and managing intelligent communications solutions for private and public sector organisations.

Some of its customers include: Experian, Carphone Warehouse, British Airways, Ford, Admiral Insurance, Edinburgh Telford College , Royal Liverpool & Broadgreen Hospital , Cheshire Police, Citigroup, Lloyds TSB.

Affiniti is part of the KCOM Group.

KCOM Group PLC provides a range of integrated IT and communications services to businesses, and internet and telecommunications services to selected consumer markets, within the UK .

The Group's portfolio of businesses works with both leading private enterprise customers and public sector organisations. Through its Affiniti, Smart421 and JAM IP brands, the Group delivers solutions covering unified communications, contact centre solutions, data management, applications integration and managed services.

The KCOM Group also includes a regionally-focused business, Kingston Communications, which supports small to medium-sized businesses. Through its KC and Eclipse brands, the business offers a wide range of internet-based and telecommunications services. The regional business also provides telephony and internet services to targeted consumers through its KC, Eclipse and Karoo brands.

The Group is listed on the London Stock Exchange and employs over 2,700 people across the UK .

Alistair Kent
Kaizo
020 7580 8852
E: alistair.kent@kaizo.net

Dianne White
Affiniti
01442 883370
E: dianne.white@affiniti.com