• New solution from Affiniti saves communications costs, improves workforce productivity and increases customer responsiveness

International legal practice Norton Rose LLP has appointed Affiniti, the communications integrator, to help the firm move to a more collaborative working environment and boost productivity and customer responsiveness in a contract worth £1.9 million.

The project is part of an office relocation which saw six Norton Rose offices move into the impressive new riverside building "3 More London"� in May this year. The project was implemented to satisfy the need for a new unified communications solution that will in the future make it easier for the 2,000 support staff and lawyers to access and share information worldwide.  The overall solution will also enable better, more cost effective communication with its offices across Europe, Russia, Middle East and Asia, including the ability for desk to desk video calls and total wireless access in its More London building. Besides improving productivity, the solution aims to reduce costs and help address environmental issues through a reduction in the need for business travel.

The new communications system is designed to underpin key applications for Norton Rose's 1,200 lawyers.  For instance, online document collaboration will help speed up contract drafting for clients as lawyers can work with colleagues around the world, sharing knowledge more effectively; while video and audio conferencing can be set up and held from their laptops whether at home or in a hotel. These applications will enhance features already available on the system such as online access to client details and relevant case information which helps to facilitate improved customer service.

Affiniti has managed the project from start to finish and has provided full training and support to help employees with the new system.  During the first few days of change over, Affiniti provided "floor-walkers"� to assist staff.  Secretaries were also given extensive training on the phones and desktop applications so they could help in supporting their teams.

Anthony Salter, Program Manager at Norton Rose LLP, said: "The office move was the ideal opportunity for Norton Rose to see what new technology was available to future proof and improve the business.  We chose Affiniti because it had such excellent legal expertise, understood our business needs and demonstrated foresight in the planning of the office move.  Thanks to Affiniti's project management capability we moved out of the old offices on Friday and straight into the new location on Monday for business as usual. And with the training and support for our staff, it has made the integration and adoption of the new technology as smooth as possible."�

"Effective communication is vital to our business whether it is with colleagues or clients,"� continued Mr Salter. "Having these collaboration and communication tools at our fingertips is really helping to speed up our work.  The unified communications system integrates a host of features and capabilities that can help our staff work more effectively and efficiently without increasing costs. It helps us to save time and money: international internal calls are made across the IP network and travel requirements are reduced.  Our clients also benefit from improved levels of service as our lawyers have access to up to the minute information."�

Paul Renucci, Managing Director of Affiniti, said: "We work with four out of the five top London law firms, and this experience helps us to understand the unique needs of Norton Rose.  Information access is a priority as lawyers need to know about all matters relating to client cases at any given time.  With current technology, we are able to help satisfy this need and leverage it to give Norton Rose a competitive edge."�

The unified communications system is based on an MPLS VoIP network, built on Cisco technology, which extends to Norton Rose's Uxbridge production data centre for normal operation, IT disaster recovery and the desk to desk video collaboration with technical teams across different sites. In order to meet the mission-critical standards required by Norton Rose LLP, the Affiniti-designed network solution delivers the highest levels of resilience and security. A 20-seat contact centre is also deployed to support an internal virtual IT helpdesk service. 

Affiniti, the communications integrator, specialises in designing, implementing and managing intelligent communications solutions for private and public sector organisations.

Some of its customers include: Experian, Carphone Warehouse, British Airways, Ford, Admiral Insurance, Edinburgh Telford College , Royal Liverpool & Broadgreen Hospital , Cheshire Police, Citigroup, Lloyds TSB.

Affiniti is part of the KCOM Group.

KCOM Group PLC provides a range of integrated IT and communications services to businesses, and internet and telecommunications services to selected consumer markets, within the UK .

The Group's portfolio of businesses works with both leading private enterprise customers and public sector organisations. Through its Affiniti, Smart421 and JAM IP brands, the Group delivers solutions covering unified communications, contact centre solutions, data management, applications integration and managed services.

The KCOM Group also includes a regionally-focused business, Kingston Communications, which supports small to medium-sized businesses. Through its KC and Eclipse brands, the business offers a wide range of internet-based and telecommunications services. The regional business also provides telephony and internet services to targeted consumers through its KC, Eclipse and Karoo brands.

The Group is listed on the London Stock Exchange and employs over 2,700 people across the UK .

Emma Turner
Nelson Bostock Communications
020 7792 7440
E: emma.turner@nelsonbostock.com

Dianne White
Affiniti
01442 883370
E: dianne.white@affiniti.com