Optus develops customised data network for Western Australia's RAC

Optus has implemented a new data network based on its Evolve™ advanced communications platform for the Royal Automotive Club of Western Australian (RAC). The network will allow RAC to significantly improve customer transaction times, as well as improve productivity and flexibility in its operations.

It has been rolled out as part of a three year whole-of-business agreement that will see Optus continue to provide telephony and mobile services to RAC, one of Western Australia's largest membership organisations.

The RAC is concerned with all aspects of road and community safety and provides motoring and security services, car and home insurance as well as loans for more than 680,000 members across the state.

Paul Downes, General Manager, Business & Technology Solutions at RAC, said that Optus has provided a customised data network that will allow the company to be more responsive to its members' needs.

"We operate in a very competitive market and it is important that we stand out by delivering quality services on time. The new network offers us the flexibility and scalability to meet our customers' needs."

Vince Troth, General Manager, Western Australia, Optus Business said "The implementation of the Optus Evolve IP network at RAC provides a step-change in the scalability of its data network to address rapidly changing and emerging business requirements."

"Optus Evolve provides scalable bandwidth, greater visibility of applications across the network and improved resilience to ensure high application up-time and performance. It is the ideal platform on which to run business critical applications."

RAC has already seen signs of improvement from the new network, with faster processing times for business transactions. While previously the task of uploading various assessment reports took 20 minutes, it now takes less than 50 seconds.

"We are already seeing a clear benefit in terms of customer satisfaction from the new platform. We hope to achieve more competitive gains as we explore other data and voice applications on the new network," Mr Downes said.

RAC is looking at integrating voice into the new data network in the near future and is currently investigating IP telephony and Computer Telephony Integration (CTI) technologies.

About Optus Evolve
Optus Evolve is an IP-based MPLS network designed to help businesses adapt and benefit from the converged communications landscape of the future. Purpose-built, it features a new simple modular, end-to-end IP network with streamlined processes and greater bandwidths than previously available.

It allows customers to replace legacy networks with a single easy to manage network platform that delivers outstanding business efficiencies, including faster data speeds and simpler network management.

Business can generate considerable advantage by making interactions between sites faster and more cost effective, streamlining IT administration and giving staff secure offsite access to core applications and data.

The offering also delivers greater flexibility of choice for customers to address the need for bandwidth with features and affordability.

Media contact:
Elizabeth Greene
Optus Corporate Affairs
Tel: 02 8082 1132