MiCTA has chosen Phybridge as an endorsed vendor for IP telephony equipment, the organizations have announced.

MiCTA is a national non-profit technology consortium which represents thousands of not-for-profit organizations from sectors such as higher education, K-12 schools, healthcare, libraries, government and charitable organizations.

In order to be selected as an endorsed vendor, MiCTA has candidates undergo a “rigorous competitive bidding process.” Those who are chosen are “highly qualified vendors for telecommunications and technology-oriented products and services.”

"Phybridge (News - Alert) serves an important segment in the IP telephony industry,” adds Tim von Hoff, chief operating officer of MiCTA. “Its UniPhyer product will enable many of our members to adopt IP telephony quickly, easily and cost-effectively without requiring major infrastructure changes or disruptions."

Through MiCTA, members get discounts and do not have to go through their own bidding process.

"We are excited to become an endorsed vendor of MiCTA and appreciate the level of due diligence they complete on behalf of their members,” says Will Harris, vice president of Phybridge. “Many MiCTA members face the LAN readiness barriers that the UniPhyer eliminates, and we look forward to helping MiCTA members move to the future of IP telephony with confidence.”

Phybridge says its UniPhyer allows for quick deployment of IP telephony and provides Ethernet, PoE and Quality of Service over a single wire pair. It also complements the existing data network.

On Wednesday, Dec. 8, at 2 p.m. ET, Phybridge will be holding a joint webinar with MiCTA featuring customers and industry experts. It is aimed at those in the higher education and government sectors, who may be considering a move to IP Telephony. To register for the webinar, click here or visit http://phybridge.com/MicTaWeb.aspx

One webinar participant, Jeanne Eicks of Vermont Law School, explains that the law school – which is one of the world’s foremost centers for the study of environmental law – was interested in a VoIP solution for its phone service. However, the school was unable to have disaster recovery for power, except in its main building. Using the Phybridge Uniphyer, the school successfully moved to IP telephony eliminating the Local Area Network (LAN) readiness barriers.

Another example comes from Chad Robinson of Western State College, who will also take part in the webinar. The Phybridge UniPhyer allowed Western State College to complete their IP Telephony project within just a few weeks, below the original budget.

This feat would not have been possible if the alternative was to re-cable and add POE switches and UPS throughout the facility, says Phybridge.

And Shaunna Kaminsky of Mohawk College said that school “initially deployed IP phones on the data network with many service issues.” But after finding out about the Phybridge UniPhyer, it was selected, and installed quickly and professionally. Kaminsky calls it an “exciting and effective solution moving towards a VoIP environment.”

During the webinar, participants will learn how to migrate to IP telephony by using existing proven voice infrastructure to deploy IP phones and any other IEEE (News - Alert) Ethernet device, with no business or network disruptions, says Phybridge.