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Telethon Taps Open Source to Save on Costs

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TMCnews Featured Article


May 14, 2009

Telethon Taps Open Source to Save on Costs

By Tim Gray, TMCnet Web Editor


When Linking Arms, Inc. launched its nonprofit organization back in 2005, its founders set forth a seemingly modest mission to train and prepare at-risk youth for entry into productive adult life through educational resources, sports, mentoring and tutoring programs. 

 
Now, the Pensacola, Florida organization is focusing on making a positive impact in the lives of all children, beginning with those in the Northwest Florida area through a variety of media events including its first annual two-hour telethon.
 
As part of the initiative, the group leveraged open source technologies as a means of keeping event costs down while spreading its message throughout the region.
 
A host of companies tossed in support from open source to SIP behind the scenes. In fact, the whole project was based on SIP and Asterisk (News - Alert).
 
While Super Technologies, Inc. andDIDX contributed the Super Phone 8000 Internet phones, local DID (direct inward dialing) and SIP trunking, TEAMFORREST, Comtel-Networks, Skype and Digium were able to step in to provide services that supported a network of laptops and also allowed for volunteers to answer more than 20 voice over Internet calls at one time.
 
As TMCnet reported, DID and DDI numbers can be extremely helpful to nonprofits looking to quickly make a free call to a DID (phone number local to them) that will ring on the nonprofit’s choice of ringtones to get more information about donating or receiving help.

“Instead of dialing the long distance international USA number or having to log on to the Internet to send e-mail, they can call the DID (local phone number). The nonprofit drives more interest in its projects,” said Rehan Ahmed, president of Super Technologies, Inc., provider of DIDX.
 
The Internet protocol-based PBX (News - Alert) for the telethon was contributed and monitored by TeamForrest's Fred Posner, while Alan Pesatty, Steven Cayona, Paul Deane and Max Glucksmann from DIDX and Comtel-Networks, set up the wired network with Cox (News - Alert) Communications broadband and configured the IP PBX users.
 
Other companies whose services and products were integrated and donated include Cox Communications broadband and WRNE radio station.
 
The radio broadcast was hosted by Audra Carter to increase visibility of the Linking Arms, Inc. and to encourage funding for children affected by conflict and poverty.
 
For their part, Linking Arms, Inc. provided scriptwriting, 20 volunteers and several sponsors. Pensacola Improv Center provided the location.
 
After the recent event, a study of the telethon results was completed among the contributors and volunteers with conclusions for 2010 improvements. The technical volunteers decided that more training sessions for the volunteers and more test sessions of the telephony setup will be added next year.
 
Kenneth Dickerson, president of Linking Arms, Inc., says he plans to incorporate television broadcasting and more advanced marketing online and offline, for the 2010 telethon. The 2009 Telethon totaled over $6,000.00 in donations.
 
As a result of the technology implementations, caller donations and the number of first time donors greatly exceeded Linking Arms, Inc.'s predictions, according to Dickerson.

Tim Gray is a Web Editor for TMCnet, covering news in the IP communications, call center and customer relationship management industries. To read more of Tim’s articles, please visit his columnist page.

Edited by Tim Gray







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