As Norwich Theatre expanded, the limitations of its telecommunications became clear. Solutions provider VoiceHost helped the organisation update and future-proof its system, using reliable and cost-efficient phones from telephony manufacturer Snom
The Theatre Royal, Norwich, is one of Britain’s oldest theatres. It was originally established in 1758, rebuilt in 1826, destroyed by fire in 1934, rebuilt for a second time in 1936, and refurbished into the popular playhouse it is today in 2007. In 2019, it was united with nearby venues Norwich Playhouse, established in 1995, and Stage Two, established in 2016, under the umbrella of Norwich Theatre.
Like most theatres, Norwich Theatre operates on several fronts. Its artistic team programme and present everything from ballet to Shakespeare and comedy to drama, across three separate venues. Its outreach team runs various workshops and activities within the local community. Its technical team make sure its three buildings operate efficiently, while its commercial and finance teams collaborate to keep everything afloat.
As Norwich Theatre continued to grow and expand its offerings, the limitations of its ageing telecommunication system became evident, alongside issues with equipment reliability and functionality. And with the ISDN Switch Off – the phasing out of the UK’s analogue telephone network – arriving by the end of 2025, the theatre needed to act swiftly, too.
Enter VoiceHost. VoiceHost has been providing SIP and Hosted VoIP solutions for UK businesses of all sizes since 2006. Its platform offered Norwich Theatre with a reliable and affordable alternative to its traditional communications system.
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As it looked to upgrade the theatre’s hardware, VoiceHost turned to telecommunications pioneer Snom. Founded in Berlin in 1997, and now spread across six countries, Snom is an industry leader in telephony – the development, manufacture and installation of telecommunications technology – with more than seven million Snom phones being installed worldwide over the past 26 years. From desk phones to wireless devices, from audio conferencing to PA systems, Snom is an expert in providing reliable, multifunctional communications solutions.
Snom devices were the obvious choice for Norwich Theatre for several reasons. Firstly, there was Snom’s diverse range of products, which includes everything from robust, low-cost entry devices to high-end phone systems with all of the latest features. Secondly, there was the potential for Snom’s devices to be interoperable with multiple phone system solutions. Thirdly, there was the impressive security of Snom’s hardware, which would ensure the theatre’s telecommunications remained safe.
Additionally, where many telephony manufacturers have been facing stock shortages in recent times, Snom’s products were readily available via the organisation’s network of UK reseller and distributor partners.
“With the ISDN switch off coming, many businesses are starting to think about how they can set their telecommunications system up for the future,” reflects Adam Webb, sales manager at VoiceHost. “The team at Norwich Theatre needed a system that was both secure and of a high quality, while also being budget friendly, and that is exactly what we could offer.”
VoiceHost’s responsive customer service, installation and engineering teams quickly devised the perfect telecommunications solution for Norwich Theatre, which featured about 100 Snom desk phones. These devices were carefully and efficiently installed across the organisation’s three venues, minimising disruption and ensuring a smooth transition from the old system to the new one.
The new system comprised a mix of Snom’s popular D120 and D713 models, which have been especially designed for deployment in hotels, hospitals, schools, government departments and other large organisations. Easy to programme and simple to use, they feature a backlit graphic display and a range of context-sensitive and preassigned function keys at a cost-effective price point.
“In collaboration with telephony specialists Snom and leading SIP and VoIP provider VoiceHost, we were able to upgrade our telecommunications system across our three sites,” says Matthew Johnston, Norwich Theatre’s head of IT. “From crystal-clear quality to security improvements, updating our telecommunications system has led to a host of benefits, all at a cost-effective rate.”
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What were those benefits? Well, the combination of Snom devices and VoiceHost services seamlessly connected Norwich Theatre’s three venues, ensuring uninterrupted internal and external communications. The organisation’s various teams could now quickly and reliably communicate with each other whenever necessary, and with customers, partners, performers and other organisations.
Significantly, it was also an affordable solution. Norwich Theatre, like many arts organisations across the country, is facing significant challenges in the current climate and needs to ensure it gets maximum value for any investment it makes. VoiceHost’s Hosted solution, utilising Snom’s newest hardware, did just that, providing exceptional performance at a cost-effective rate.
Furthermore, VoiceHost’s new telecommunications system aligns with Norwich Theatre’s plans for the future. It has been designed and installed in such a way that, as the organisations expands its activity and its team, its telecommunications system can easily be expanded, too. This flexibility is essential. In one investment, Norwich Theatre has future-proofed its communications.
What next? Norwich Theatre is already enjoying the benefits of its reliable, multi-functional telecommunications system, and so are its audiences. The organisation can also be confident that whatever challenges the future holds, its telecommunications system can be adapted to meet them.
“It was an absolute pleasure working with the wonderful team at VoiceHost to transform Norwich Theatre’s communications system,” concludes Steven Try, Snom’s UK channel manager. “We’re so pleased that our D120 and D713 phones will be used to help this fantastic institution streamline its processes while setting itself up for the future.”
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