Networking giant Cisco says the Cisco IP Communications (IPC) solution will be delivered over a fixed and wireless converged network infrastructure and is expected to help Ofsted reduce costs by removing the need to pay for inter-office calls.
According to Cisco, Ofsted will work alongside IT service providers, LogicaCMG, and communications company, BT, to replace its existing mix of traditional telephony and data systems with Cisco Local Area Networks (LANs) at four of its UK offices.
Cisco also claims Ofsted is considering wireless networking at its offices and extending the Cisco IPT solution to 1,500 home-based inspectors with Cisco IP-Softphones integrated into laptops.
David Critchley, director Cisco Systems, said, Cisco technology is a key enabler in helping national organizations such as Ofsted to improve operational efficiency, control costs, and increase collaboration so that they can have the means to raise the level of service they offer to the community.