Gates Selects Genesys GETS Communications Platform

Gates, a non-tire rubber manufacturer of automotive and industrial products, systems, and components in North America, implemented the Genesys Enterprise Telephony Software (GETS) platform.

Gates initially approached Microsoft to find out how to integrate Microsoft Office Live Communications Server with the company's IP telephony system. Microsoft's answer: contact Genesys for advanced collaborative communications.

GETS integrates with existing Microsoft Office Communicator and Office Live Communications Server technologies.

Using GETS enables employees to call any other employee or contact directly from their Microsoft Office applications. The platform gives employees access to availability and presence information, and provides control of their desktop phones via the computer.

"We didn't really consider any other products," said Dave Kirkland, director of network services at Gates. "During the GETS demonstration we could see that the integration would be straightforward and we wouldn't have to make a lot of changes to make it work. And even better, it's so fast and intuitive that it naturally becomes the preferred method of communication."

According to Kirkland, "In about 10 minutes anybody that can use a mouse can run this product. It's that simple."

In addition to allowing Gates employees around the globe to communicate from their offices, GETS extends access to any place an employee might work. As long as an employee is connected to the Gates network through a VPN, he or she can collaborate with anyone, as well as deflect incoming calls coming from their office phone and forward the calls to a mobile or any other device.

GETS provides telephony presence and call control capability for communications across the enterprise. Key functions include caller notification, deflect, smart transfer, e-mail notification of missed calls, click-to-dial, ad hoc conferencing, and telephony presence.

"The productivity gain we have seen at Gates, as a result of implementing GETS, is significant," said Kirkland. "Our return on investment is easily several times the resources we invested in this project."