Socket and Missouri National Education Association

Statewide organization makes the grade with Socket’s no-fail telecommunications solution. Client The Missouri National Education Association (MNEA) is a statewide organization that advocates for employees and students in public schools. Headquartered in Jefferson City, MNEA works in affiliation with National Education Association (NEA) to build support for public education. The organization offers legislative and legal programs as well as professional development opportunities for its 33,000 members. Challenge Jay Hall, Manager of Information Systems for MNEA, says the organization used to juggle six different telephone and Internet bills from three different companies. Managing the web of bills and providers for the MNEA’s six locations across Missouri made it difficult to know which company to contact for support when they had questions or problems. Looking to consolidate their statewide services, MNEA couldn’t seem to find an Internet or telecommunications provider up for the challenge. Solution Socket proposed a competitive bid for all of MNEA’s telecommunications services. Hall believed Socket offered the best solution to meet the needs of each location in the most cost efficient way. MNEA chose a bundled solution, combining local and long-distance telephone service and frame relay Internet. With Socket’s technology and assistance, MNEA has been able to implement a VoIP telephone system, which allows for toll-free calling and toll-bypass between their six offices. Result With Socket, MNEA now enjoys a single point of contact and enhanced control of the entire organization’s telephone and Internet network from one location. In addition to the benefits of a more secure and reliable network, the MNEA can easily track usage with the convenience of one monthly bill for all locations. Socket’s solution allowed MNEA to save time and money and better direct resources towards its members. Click here for a printable version. (Adobe Reader required)

www.MNEA.org Industry Education Socket Services 40 Voice Lines Frame Relay Internet VoIP Technology Local and Long-Distance Telephone 27 voice/fax lines Geographical Location Columbia Jefferson City St. Louis Kansas City Springfield St. Peters Festus