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Smoothstone and Logista Partner to Deliver Cloud-based Unified IP Communications to HORNE, LLP
JACKSON, MS and LOUISVILLE, KY (April 13, 2010) – Smoothstone, the leading provider of cloud-based enterprise unified communications applications, in partnership with Logista, a leading provider of technology management services, announces a strategic engagement offering unified IP communications with one of the country’s foremost business advisory firms, HORNE, LLP.
“After discovering that our three-year-old call management network required a significant system upgrade, we were not prepared for the expense and complexity associated with the effort,” said Dave Bufkin, Director of IT for HORNE, LLP.
HORNE found its IT resources exhausted from constantly juggling complex infrastructure and communications issues, resulting in challenges that distracted them from delivering on their core competencies.
“We wanted a more reliable communications solution, but needed someone else to manage it,” continued Bufkin.
HORNE contacted Logista, the firm’s long-time technology partner, to determine the best approach to take.
“The key challenge was to identify a solution that would enable HORNE to maintain as much of their current Cisco investment as possible,” said Cary Bush, Logista’s Sales Director of Voice Services.
Logista turned to its partner, Smoothstone, for the solution. Bush continued, “The purpose in the hosted and managed service design was to provide an additional level of real-time support to the IT staff, as well as to provide a better business continuity application, since many of their sites lie in hurricane-threatened areas. Smoothstone was best suited to meet all the needs of our client.”
Both firms worked with HORNE to design a managed, Cisco-based network infrastructure that delivered greater control to HORNE while mitigating the IT resources required to support the infrastructure. With the solution in place, HORNE was able to take full advantage of the benefits of working over IP, such as fully managed VoIP to the desktop, intelligent call routing, a hosted contact center and advanced, unified threat management.
Most importantly, the solution was integrated across HORNE’s MPLS network infrastructure, and backed by Smoothstone’s 24/7 Network Operations Center (NOC). The team’s Cisco-certified engineers now act as an extension to HORNE’s existing IT staff, allowing them to focus more on core business initiatives and worry less about problems with their communications network.
Bufkin continued, “We previously felt that we had purchased a 747 full of passengers sitting on the runway with no pilot to fly. Now, not only do we have a dependable, easy-to-manage communications network, but access to a number of tools and applications that we did not have before.”
“When Logista presented the HORNE situation to us, we knew instantly that we could help,” commented James Whitemore, Smoothstone’s Chief Marketing Officer. “Working with Logista, we were able to deliver a suite of cloud-based unified IP communications, alleviating many of HORNE’s current infrastructure burdens and allowing them to scale their network in the future. In partnership with Logista, our common belief in offering fully scaleable cloud-based applications continues to help businesses thrive in their respective marketplaces.”
About HORNE, LLP
HORNE LLP is one of the top 50 accounting and business advisory firms in the country, as reported by the 2008 Public Accounting Report (PAR). HORNE is one of the top 10 accounting and business advisory firms in the Southeast and the largest firm in the State of Mississippi. With 13 offices in Mississippi, Tennessee, Alabama, Louisiana, Texas and Arizona, the firm has more than 475 team members serving clients across the nation. For more information on HORNE, visit www.horne-llp.com.
About Logista
Logista was founded in 1983 to provide technology and support services to businesses in Mississippi. Since then, Logista has expanded its market area and expertise to become one of the premier technology integrators and support organizations in the country. Logista is headquartered in Birmingham, AL, currently employs IT professionals in 7 southeastern states, and provides support services through a network of voice and data support professionals in all 50 states. For more information, visit: www.logistasolutions.com.
About Smoothstone
Smoothstone IP Communications is the leading provider of cloud based communications for the enterprise - including MPLS-based application networking, enterprise voice, unified threat management, advanced contact center solutions, unified messaging and collaboration tools–all delivered as a unified suite of cloud-based applications. Smoothstone´s scalable, on-demand applications and services can be integrated with 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.
