Global Insurance and Risk Management
Global standardization of Voice and TEAMS platformsA global insurance provider, struggling with outdated phone systems, turned to BlueSky IT Partners to standardize communications via Microsoft TEAMS. BlueSky streamlined the process, securing significant cost savings and global standardization, delivering a solution that exceeded expectations.
Key Highlights:
- Saved $1.9 million with the TEAMS direct routing solution.
- Standardized voice communications across 87 offices in 16 countries.
- Secured a crucial UCaaS contract extension during the transition.
Challenge: This global insurance provider discovered during the pandemic that their 4000 employees rarely used their desk phones. They had over 87 offices in 16 countries with PTSN, aging phone systems, limited functionality and high costs. The client was a Microsoft TEAMS user for most of their employees and wanted to leverage the platform. They also had an existing contract with a UCaaS provider coming to term in 6 months.
Engagement: Based on the client’s requirement of business continuity and full PBX functionality, BlueSky recommended implementing a MS direct routing solution. BlueSky quickly gathered all requirements and customer data to perform an in-depth RFI across 9 vendors. There was a mix of Gartner quadrant vendors and some less known vendors. BlueSky engaged with the client’s business units to ensure buy-in for the direct routing solution. Since the employees were already using TEAMS, the idea of having one platform for their communications was well received. BlueSky and the client’s project team took pain staking efforts to ensure the RFP covered all aspects of the solution, including vendor security and support questions. The winner was an unknown vendor who excelled in every category, but mainly stood out because of their TEAMs native application. Also, the client’s current UCaaS vendor was unwilling to extend services, but with BlueSky’s executive leverage, they agreed to extend the current UCaaS contract by another six months for BlueSky. The implementation schedule was aggressive: install 4000 seats in five months.
Outcome: The client saved $1.9 million dollars with the TEAMs direct routing solution, they had standardized voice across the globe, experienced no infrastructure fork-lift and had limited change management. BlueSky’s knowledge and team resources made the difference in the time and money saved, and having a world class solution that exceeded their expectations.