Fitzgerald & Hewes Reaps Multiple Benefits from CIMCO's IP Talk

Customer Profile:

Fitzgerald & Hewes LLP, is a Chicago-based law firm that provides integrated legal services to an impressive roster of clients in varied fields ranging from finance to technology. The firm consists of seasoned attorneys with expertise in corporate and commercial areas including: business and financial transactions; employment and human resource matters; and dispute management and resolution. The lawyers take pride in their ability to be proactive representing client legal matters in the most cost-effective manner possible for each individual situation. This "can do" approach has parlayed into a winning track record, evidenced by Fitzgerald & Hewes' growth and success.

The Situation:

When a business grows, so do its operational needs, and Fitzgerald & Hewes experienced that fact firsthand as it prepared to move to a new location in the southwest area of the Loop in downtown Chicago. A search began for a top-tier telecom provider that could jump into an already tight construction and relocation time frame. Also desired was a partner who could look to the future and facilitate the firms' continued ascent with robust, scalable solutions.

Additionally, security and uninterruptibility must both take priority given the highly confidential nature of the practice of law. But what Fitzgerald & Hewes wanted most of all was the individualized attention that the firm affords its own clientele.

CIMCO had the professional bench strength and tactical know-how to be able to provide instant assistance to Fitzgerald & Hewes' urgent relocation concerns. A thorough site audit was conducted within record time, which revealed that the new location required rewiring. CIMCO worked with the builder's installers, providing specific guidelines and technical support to keep the project moving ahead on schedule.

Additionally, CIMCO conducted a needs analysis to better understand the environment in which the law firm operates. The attorneys' extensive domestic and international travel was found to be a significant factor in operations, and any new solution must give that "out of office" flexibility the utmost consideration.

The Solution:

CIMCO's IP (Internet Protocol) Talk Solution proved to be the perfect fit for Fitzgerald & Hewes. IP Talk is a fully-managed VoIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) that utilizes state-of-the-art technology to deliver voice and data services over just one line. Its features include local and long distance calling, unified messaging and high-speed Internet. Because installation of IP Talk is quite simple, the firm averted the high outlay of capital that most companies typically incur with new systems. There were future savings to be gained as well, given the ongoing economy and efficiency that comes from having a single source solution.

In addition, IP Talk's web-based interface guarantees easily accessible communications for each attorney wherever they may be. Moreover, this product offers crucial elements of security through its disaster recovery capabilities. Should a disaster strike, voice and data operations are seamlessly rerouted to an alternate location which has been pre-designated by Fitzgerald & Hewes.

The Results:

Because CIMCO's IP Talk could be implemented in less than 45 days, Fitzgerald & Hewes was able to open its doors and lines of communication on time and within budget. By putting both voice and data on T1 circuits, Fitzgerald & Hewes has seen its operating expenses go down while its level of communications services has gone up.

The varied features of IP Talk have guaranteed the globetrotting attorneys the security necessary to retain discreet customer interaction no matter where their travels may take them. In particular, "Find Me/Follow Me" allows each Fitzgerald & Hewes employee to be contacted anywhere at any time.

Also, IP Talk offers the nimbleness and scalability that a prospering law firm requires. Moves, adds and changes can be made quickly and easily. All functions are managed on CIMCO's switch, so any ongoing upgrades or newly introduced product features are automatically available to Fitzgerald & Hewes.

All worries about business continuity and security have been erased by IP Talk's built-in disaster recovery features. In the unlikely event of crisis, the law firm would be able to conduct business as usual.

Finally, the Quality of Service (QoS) and Class of Service (CoS) delivered by the new voice and data solution provide for 99.999% uptime, drastically reducing the chance of outages from minutes to seconds in any given year. Both the QoS and the CoS are monitored and controlled by CIMCO's local data center.

In conclusion, when Fitzgerald & Hewes paired with CIMCO Communications, it knew it had found more than a one-stop shop for all its voice, data and security concerns.

In CIMCO, the law firm found a true partner for the long haul.