As the Co-Founder & Operations Director here at F One Technologies, I am thrilled to share that we are currently assisting a number of Hampshire-based schools and trusts with migrating their telecommunications services to the cloud. We understand the importance of communication in today’s world, and the vital role it plays in education. It is essential that schools have access to the latest technology and are able to communicate effectively with students, teachers, and parents. This is why we are proud to be an authorised supplier of the Hampshire County Council and are dedicated to providing schools with the best possible solutions to their communication needs. We understand that schools have different needs and operate at a different pace, that’s why we take the time to understand each school’s unique requirements before providing recommendations.
Migrating to a new telephone system can be a daunting and confusing task, especially when it comes to navigating the ever-changing landscape of technology. However, we appreciate that all Hampshire schools have been asked to update their communications, and we understand the challenges that you may be facing. Most of the schools we work with appear to have ordered their new internet services but not given much thought to telephony. This is where F One Technologies comes in…
We want to ensure that if you are upgrading your telephone system, you experience the tangible benefits that come with change. We have been in the business of telecommunications for many years and our team of specialists have the knowledge and expertise to provide you with the best solutions for your school.
From our experience working with schools, we have found that the following ten features are the most popular:
- Handsets can be transported anywhere without a network connection because they can function over your current WiFi network. This provides flexibility and ease of use because the handsets may be taken anywhere within the school, allowing students, teachers, and staff to communicate at all times.
- All cordless handsets function in the same way, ensuring total cordless phone coverage throughout the school. This removes the need for several phone systems and streamlines communication, saving both time and money.
- All calls can be recorded by the phone system and retrieved via a secure website. This capability is very valuable for training and quality control, and it can also be utilised to give communication evidence in the event of a disagreement.
- The ability to make outbound phone calls using Arbor’s or any other website’s “click-to-dial” capability. This eliminates the need to dial phone numbers by hand, saving time and lowering the possibility of errors.
- Because the system is compatible with Arbor, you can retrieve their information in Arbor by selecting the record (as long as the caller’s number matches that of the record). This facilitates student information access and reduces the need to manually search for records.
- Recorded on hold information, including marketing and welcoming messages, are available. This guarantees that callers hear a specialist message and that your institution appears polished and professional.
- Standard features such as hold, call transfer, personal voicemails, and direct dials are offered. These elements ensure that your school is seen as professional and efficient.
- Because this is a cloud-based phone system, there will be no more line constraints, and the system will queue new callers, allowing you to all be on the phone at the same time without callers encountering engaged tones. This is especially helpful for schools that receive a significant amount of calls, such as during peak enrolment periods or open house events.
- As you’ll know, in order for all Hampshire County Council Schools to remain compliant, you must have a ‘lockdown’ procedure in place. The system has the ability to call specific handsets or groups of handsets using the ‘bing bong’ feature, broadcasting your voice through the handset’s external speaker. In the event of an emergency, this capability is especially valuable for schools, as it provides a quick and easy means to relay essential information to a large number of people at once.
- We work with your IT department to create a distinct email account for absences (for example, absences@abcschool.hants.sch.uk). We’ll also programme the phone system’s auto attendant to say something along the lines of “please press 1 if you are reporting an absent child.” After selecting this option, the caller will be asked to leave a detailed voicemail. This voicemail will be delivered to your email inbox. This capability can also be used to make modifications at the end of the day. This function aids in communication by informing the appropriate persons of absences or changes in a timely manner.
We understand the importance of providing ongoing support to our clients. That’s why we offer comprehensive support packages that are tailored to the specific needs of each school. Our team of experts will work with you to provide ongoing support and maintenance, ensuring that your telephone system runs smoothly and is always up to date.
If you’re a school in Hampshire looking to update your communications, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We would be happy to meet with you and discuss how we can help you, like the many other schools we already work with. We look forward to working with you and helping your school to communicate effectively and efficiently.
Alex Viola, Co-Founder & Operations Director
