Smoothstone Assists Metro United Way and Louisville Community During Disastrous Ice Storm

Louisville, Ky (April 6, 2009) — No one could have predicted that February´s ice storm would become the largest natural disaster in Kentucky history. A half–million people were stranded without power in subzero temperatures, as repair crews struggled with downed trees and power lines.

Metro Government and Metro United Way immediately recognized the danger facing the elderly, ill, homebound and disabled in the Metro Louisville area, who were unable to help clear the debris from their property. To answer the Mayor´s call for assistance to those in need, Metro United Way looked to their long–time communications partner, Smoothstone, for help.

Smoothstone, a Louisville–based provider of managed unified communications services, had experience in providing emergency contact center services, having assisted Metro United Way during the power outages left in the wake of last fall´s windstorm, and Louisiana United Way during Hurricane Gustav.

Within two days, Smoothstone had established a functioning call center that included 20 operator extensions, IP–enabled phones, and a means to track every call through to the hotline through a web–based interface. Over the first three days of the campaign, the hotline had logged over 600 calls for assistance and from those willing to volunteer.

“One of the greatest benefits we receive from our relationship with Smoothstone is flexibility,” said Dennis Renschler, Metro United Way´s Director of Technology and Central Services. “With very little notice, Smoothstone´s team was on–site to help oversee the launch phase and was readily available if we ran into any snags. It took less than two days to get everything in place for a communications center that would serve our entire community.”

“Smoothstone and Metro United Way have a long history of working together to better our community. This wasn´t business as usual–this was a true emergency for those truly in need,” remarked Shelly Godfrey, Smoothstone´s Chief Operating Office. “We were more than happy to do whatever it took to get the job done. And the results only highlight the good that can be achieved when a community comes together during a crisis.”

Press Contact: Steve Simon, SS|PR, (847) 415.9347, steve@sspr.com

About Smoothstone IP Communications:

Smoothstone IP Communications is a nationwide provider of unified IP communications services to mid-sized enterprises. Smoothstone delivers Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), IP trunking, unified threat management, MPLS networking, contact center solutions, messaging and advanced collaboration tools as a unified suite of managed services and cloud based applications. Smoothstone´s scalable, on–demand applications & services can be integratedwith a customer´s existing network and telecommunications infrastructure, operational processes and employee activities, enabling a customer to migrate to unified IP communications as their business requirements dictate. For more information, visit www.smoothstone.com or call (800) 773.3037.