Element 74 expanding into Cisco IP telephony

By Jim Obert

Business Today

Element 74 in Cape Girardeau has a network solutions group that is gaining regional recognition for its specialization in business computer and integrated telephony networks. Some of its core areas of expertise include local and wide area networking, security and virtual private networks (VPN), anti-virus protection and wireless networks.

The company, which creates award-winning Web sites, recently completed certification requirements by Cisco Systems Inc. to become a Cisco Premier Certified Partner with specializations in IP telephony, routing and switching, and wireless LANs. Element 74 is one of only two Cisco Premier Partners in the state to achieve three specializations with Cisco Systems.

San Jose, Calif.-based Cisco Systems is the world leader in networking and has built its foundation on the AVVID (architecture for voice, video and integrated data) framework.

"Premier Partner status means customers know Element 74 is committed to offering the highest quality, most reliable networking solutions available today. The specializations allow us to bring new and exciting technologies to the Southeast Missouri area that are currently not being offered," said Chris Edmonds, company president.

IP telephony can be a scalable, productive and cost-effective solution for businesses by lowering the cost of network ownership, according to Edmonds. IP telephony can reduce overall network infrastructure costs and ongoing network administration costs. Businesses planning on adding branches see the greatest savings by reducing long-distance payments they would incur by calling from branches to other offices.

IP-based communications also allow deployments in remote branches to be done with much less time and equipment than a in traditional Key or PBX system, said Edmonds. By having one data network instead of two separate networks, a business can eliminate redundant costs for voice by using converged IP network for voice. This solution offers greater employee mobility since it is based on technology not dependent on point-to-point copper connections.

Edmonds said users of the system can now simply unplug their phone from the network in one office and move to another office and plug their phone back into the network, taking only minutes to do what with a normal telephone system could take many hours or even days.

Josh Waller, a systems engineer with the network solutions group, said Element 74 attained the Cisco certification after about six months of testing that required several employees to travel to St. Louis almost every week. Waller said the company is one of only seven Cisco Premier Partners in the state to have the IP Telephony Revised specialization.

Edmonds said his company is making an effort to get area schools and businesses interested in the high-end IP telephony network equipment. He said it gives people the ability to converge their data, voice and video onto one network -- which can allow for significant cost savings and ROI (return on investment).

"Companies can save on toll charges they pay their current phone companies, as well as savings in wiring costs and maintenance," said Waller, adding that many companies and school systems in the area are already showing a keen interest in the benefits of the technology.

Waller said Element 74 is in the planning stages of equipping Cape Girardeau-based Tri-State Water Treatment Co. with Cisco IP telephony. Tri-State installs RainSoft water treatment equipment, and the company has a large marketing department -- many telemarketers and about 65 telephones. "It's a pretty big project," said Waller. "We'll begin it in three or four weeks."

"This system will allow Tri-State to actually manage customer information with their phone system and ultimately be more productive," said Edmonds.

Edmonds said IP telephony is a technology people are rapidly embracing. He said Cisco recently shipped its 2 millionth IP telephone, and it is shipping more than 2,000 units per day.

Element 74 designs and custom programs Web sites, provides domain name registration, ASP development, html and flash programming, Web analytics and ongoing maintenance. The company also provides Web site hosting, search engine marketing and secure e-commerce solutions.

A Web site can be a cost-effective, powerful sales and marketing tool for businesses and organizations. It can be thought of as an additional sales arm by using e-commerce and database functionality.

Web developer John McClung said the company provides businesses the programming and utilities they need for marketing and e-commerce.

"We have an in-house designer who creates the look and feel for the site," said McClung. "Then we rework the site, add more features, and add programming and coding to make it fully functional."

McClung said he recently finished the Web site of Candles Unlimited in Scott City. The business can now sell its products online. Also, Element 74 was recently awarded a contract to develop an entire new Web site for Mineral Area College in Park Hills.

Web sites Element 74 has designed or provides Web site hosting services for include Southeast Hospital, Americare Systems, Wiethop Trucks, McDonald's, Edgewater Glass, Rep. Jo Ann Emerson, Patrick Furniture, Big Lake Transport, Innovative Orthodontics, Drs. Noffel and Feuerhahn, Area Wide United Way, CS Printing, Davis Photography Studio and 960 KZIM Zimmer Radio.

Edmonds said e-commerce "is a pretty big component for us. We also offer our 'Easy Post' system, which is back-in technology that allows people to simply make updates to their Web site without needing special training or software."

Edmonds started his business seven years ago, and changed the name to Element 74 about four years ago. The company actively seeks certifications for its 10 employees. Besides the recently acquired Cisco IP Telephony Revised and routing and switching specializations, Element 74 is working toward a specialization in VPN and security.

The service area for the network solutions division of Element 74 is about a 75-mile radius. For the Web development division, the service area is the world.