Monmouth Park Racetrack Bets on Open Communications with Siemens
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IP-based Solution Improves Voice Communications, Cuts Costs
BOCA RATON, Fla., Jan. 23 -- As Monmouth Park Racetrack officials prepared to host the 2007 Breeder's Cup, one of horse racing's premier events, they realized their aging communication system was not up to the task of supporting such an event. With the influx of staff and guests expected, the team at Monmouth Park knew that they would need more features and flexibility than their 20-year old Centrex system could provide. Monmouth Park decided that an IP-based unified communications platform from Siemens Communications, Inc. was the solution.
The main racing track and buildings are spread over 220 acres, so versatility was one of the key requirements of any new communications solution. In addition to the Breeder's Cup, Monmouth Park is home to a full season of horse racing as well as a number of other important events. They needed to ensure that they were prepared for smooth day-to-day operations as well as major events. Siemens' HiPath 4000 real-time IP solution delivered the flexibility and expandability that Monmouth Park needed, as well as the cost- savings they desired.
Monmouth Park explored a number of solutions from a variety of vendors, but selected Siemens based on the solution's performance, ROI and opportunity for expansion. Siemens' quick installation allowed the customer to become completely comfortable with their new solution prior to the racing season. Implementing least-cost routing and more efficient moves, adds and changes have provided significant savings. Combined with the significant drop in carrier-related communications charges, Monmouth Park achieved a full solution ROI in 18 months.
"We knew that our old Centrex system was costing us money and wasn't providing the coverage and features that we needed," said Michael Hegewald, Vice President of Information Technology and Telecommunications for the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority. "With the Siemens solution in place for our 2007 racing season, we were able to realize significant cost savings and enjoy the benefits of a cutting-edge communications system."
Monmouth Park is owned and managed by the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority (NJSEA), which also owns the Meadowlands Racetrack, Giants Stadium, the IZOD Center and the Atlantic City Convention Center. NJSEA uses Siemens technology at some of its other locations, and appreciated the advantages of having a consistent communications solution across multiple properties.
"The ability to seamlessly integrate several sites with the Siemens solution was one of the key deciding factors for us," added Hegewald. "Leveraging our data and Internet lines for voice traffic provides us with toll bypass, enables us to use least-cost routing of calls and eliminate many long-distance charges."
For the 2007 Breeder's Cup weekend, Monmouth Park added over 250 phone lines to accommodate additional personnel, guests and media. "Siemens® HiPath® 4000 system provided the flexibility we needed to expand quickly and easily, helping ensure that the event went smoothly from a communications perspective," Hegewald said. Moving forward, Monmouth Park expects to continue to expand its use of VoIP and is considering adding wireless to key areas of the park.
"The infrastructure that Siemens put in place at Monmouth Park delivers the right mix of features along with significant savings," said Jennifer Dudley, sales director for Siemens. "Siemens' open communications platform helped improve communication across the park and other properties and made it easier to successfully host major events and activities."
About Siemens
Siemens AG (NYSE:SI) is one of the largest global electronics and engineering companies with reported worldwide sales of $107.4 billion in 2006. Founded 160 years ago, the company is a leader in the areas of Medical, Power, Automation and Control, Transportation, Information and Communications, Lighting, Building Technologies, Water Technologies and Services and Home Appliances. With its U.S. corporate headquarters in New York City, Siemens in the USA has sales of $21.4 billion and employs approximately 70,000 people throughout all 50 states and Puerto Rico. Eleven of Siemens' worldwide businesses are based in the United States. With its global headquarters in Munich, Siemens AG and its subsidiaries employ 480,000 people in 190 countries. For more information on Siemens in the United States: www.usa.siemens.com.
About Siemens Communications, Inc.
Siemens Communications, Inc. is an affiliate of Siemens Enterprise Communications GmbH & Co. KG, one of the world's leading vendors of Open Communications solutions for enterprises of all sizes, enabling business processes to be more productive, faster and more secure - with any device, network or information technology infrastructure. Siemens Communications Inc., and Siemens Enterprise Communications GmbH & Co. KG are wholly owned subsidiaries of Siemens AG with about 15,000 employees globally and headquarters in Boca Raton, Fla. For more info, visit http://enterprise.usa.siemens.com/home.html
FCMN Contact: amyp@connectpr.com
Source: Siemens
CONTACT: Amy Martin, Siemens Communications, Inc., +1-408-492-2785, amy.martin@siemens.com
Web site: http://enterprise.usa.siemens.com/home.html
http://www.usa.siemens.com/
