University of Queensland tenders for voice services

Replacement of a legacy PABX, voicemail system planned

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The University of Queensland (UQ) has issued a tender for voice services as it looks to replace a number of systems including a private automatic branch exchange (PABX) and personal handyphone system (PHS) mobile phone platform.

The tender is split into two phases. Phase one includes the PABX/ PHS replacement while in phase two, UQ wants to move existing support equipment including a voice server, voicemail system and alarm monitoring units, over to an IP telephony base system.

“The University reserves the right to accept offers for phase one only, or for phases one and two,” read the tender documents.

The NEC PABX is located at UQ’s St Lucia campus in Brisbane. According to tender documents, the University wants to replace it with a modern call control platform. Aging digital and analogue handsets supported by the PABX will also need to be replaced with IP-based phones.

The successful tenderer will need to provide analogue support for devices such as fax machines, alarm diallers, modems and analogue teleconference units. It will also need to support or replace existing IP-based Polycom teleconference units.

Turning to the PHS replacement, UQ said that it wants this replaced with a modern wireless equivalent.

“Uninterrupted mobility throughout buildings and interconnecting corridors is very important. The PHS replacement solution will support cell station handover without the disconnection of an established call,” read the tender documents.

In addition, UQ wants to implement a voice recognition solution (VRS) which is telephony vendor agnostic and capable of interfacing with a range of telephony platforms through open standards.

“The VRS will need to provide the highest levels of accuracy and successful call completions. It will be initially implemented as an internal staff auto attendant service.”