C Travel yesterday announced that Logic Communications has been chosen to develop the company's technology platform for the future.

As part of the IT strategy developed by Logic, C Travel will migrate away from a traditional PBX office phone system in favour of a fully integrated IP telephony solution created by Cisco Systems. The new network is scheduled to go online in November.

The concept of IP Telephony involves the merger of the voice and data networks in the office. The same wire that allows two computers to share information in the office (Ethernet) will also allow to people to talk to one another. The Cisco Systems solution is different from conventional VoIP solutions because they have effectively eliminated the need for a PBX system.

The move by C Travel is aimed at improving the performance of their phone system by providing advanced communications functions while lowering the total cost of network management.

Lois Wilson, CFO at C Travel, said: "Employees are excited about the prospect of receiving voice mail and faxes in their e-mail box and management is excited about reducing operating expenses by employing just one vendor to manage both our voice and data networks."

The impact of the new system goes beyond the internal user experience. According to the company's CEO, Carl Paiva: "One of our mandates this year is to improve our customers' experience. The new network developed by Logic Communications will do that by allowing C Travel customers to make reservations twenty four hours per day, seven days per week and receive instant information about our promotions without ever having to wait on hold or come in to the office."

For Logic Communications, the solution developed for C Travel represents an extension of its traditional Internet and long distance services. According to John Cowan, manager of the Business Development Group: "This solution is important for us because it really showcases the depth and maturity of our organisation. C Travel's decision to partner with our company is significant because it means Logic Communications is not just about `the Internet' anymore."

The project also represents the first major undertaking jointly developed by Logic Communications and recently acquired Nexgen Technologies. Project manager Joe Addison says the C Travel network should serve notice to the local market that Logic Communications is a premium choice for sophisticated network solutions. "We are using exciting new technologies to solve real-life business challenges for C Travel. Ultimately, these decisions will allow them to sustain the remarkable growth they have enjoyed over the past year," said Mr. Addison.