Avaya Accessibility Solution Helps Atlanta Technical College Protect Its Technology Investment, Improve Service to Students and Prospects

BASKING RIDGE, N.J., March 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- When Georgia-based Atlanta Technical College replaced its communications system, the organization faced a dilemma. The new system lacked the accessibility features needed to help the school's vision-impaired operator determine the status of calls and the functions on her console.

"We suspected we were losing potential students, especially during registration time when we have especially high call volumes," said Teresa Brown, vice president of administrative services for the college. "Calls could back up, be misdirected or left on hold without her knowledge. We knew we had to assist our employee and continue to serve our students."

Avaya Inc. a leading global provider of business communications applications, systems and services, provided the solution. The company integrated a new operator console and software with robust accessibility features into the school's existing communications system, allowing Atlanta Technical College to protect an estimated $350,000 investment in its existing infrastructure.

"When we went out to our contracted vendors to explore potential fixes, Avaya was the only company that offered a solution," said Kimmy Lundberg, unit director of regional operations for the Georgia Technology Authority and technology advisor for Atlanta Technical College. "The company's work and follow-through really impressed us. They even tested their solution with our existing system to make certain it worked well and met the operator's needs."

Avaya is an industry pioneer and leader in accessible communications solutions that open the workplace to those with functional limitations. Developed by Avaya Labs, accessibility features built into both Avaya Communication Manager for mid-to-large enterprises and Avaya IP Office for small to midsized organizations enable those with sensory impairments to use even the most advanced business communications features without additional costs.

Avaya Universal Access Phone Status Software enables Atlanta Technical College's operator to access the same critical telephony information available to sighted workers. The status of dozens of phone features can be audibly announced at the touch of a button - from caller ID and the number of calls on hold to the length of time a caller has been waiting. For the hearing-impaired, the same Avaya software displays status information as an animated PC screen pop. Avaya Universal Access Phone Status software is available free of charge with Avaya communication systems.

"Avaya helped us give our employee the tools she needs to perform her job," Brown said. "She is very self-sufficient in other areas of her life and now can be equally self-sufficient here at work."

About Avaya

Avaya Inc. designs, builds and manages communications networks for more than one million businesses worldwide, including over 90 percent of the FORTUNE 500(R). Focused on businesses large to small, Avaya is a world leader in secure and reliable Internet protocol telephony systems and communications software applications and services. Driving the convergence of voice and data communications with business applications -- and distinguished by comprehensive worldwide services -- Avaya helps customers leverage existing and new networks to achieve superior business results. For more information visit the Avaya Web site: http://www.avaya.com/.

About Atlanta Technical College

A unit of the Georgia Department of Technical and Adult Education, Atlanta Technical College is an accredited institution of higher education that uses state-of-the-art technology to provide life-long learning opportunities, associate degrees, diplomas, technical certificates of credit, customized business and industry training, continuing education and other learning services for a diverse student population that currently tops 3,000. The college is located in the city of Atlanta.