Amsterdam Public Library Selects Converged IP Solution

The Amsterdam Public Library has selected Alcatel-Lucent's IP technology as the foundation of a comprehensive communications project that will connect a main building with its 28 branches across the city to another 43 locations in the region. By deploying Alcatel-Lucent's converged voice and data solutions the library can fully leverage the benefits of an all-IP network to provide a state of the art library system to better support the community.The Amsterdam Public Library is currently constructing the largest library in the Netherlands, the main office of which will be opened on July 7th, 2007 and will feature 28,500 m2 of floor space, twice the size of the current building. The library expects an average of 7,000 visitors per day and is supported by about 300 employees. The new IP-based solution will provide the IT staff with a single, easy to manage integrated network and deliver a 'one number' dialling plan for its branch offices. The new communications solution will enable the staff of the public library to be more efficient at serving visitors through more productive communication with fellow employees regardless of the location.

The public library's choice of Alcatel-Lucent and its partners KPN and Alcadis is two fold. The first is the strength of the supplier partner relationships and the quality of customer service delivered by all three companies and the second is the market recognized value of Alcatel-Lucent's converged voice and data solution. Alcatel-Lucent's IP-based solution will simplify and enhance the Library's day-to-day business processes and help to streamline availability and processing of books throughout the library system.

Alcatel-Lucent will be in charge of the overall project management including installation, commissioning and maintenance. In addition, Alcatel-Lucent will deliver an OmniSwitch 9700, OmniSwitch 6850 systems and an OmniSwitch 4324 Wireless with 400 Access Points for wireless connections. KPN will deliver and implement the voice equipment, whereas Alcadis will provide and implement the LAN and WLAN products.

By choosing a convergent IP network the Amsterdam Public Library will drive costs savings, employees' productivity and enhanced customers' service. The solution will save costs of network management and lay the infrastructure for future developments. Employees will use smart phones, enabling them to work in any of the 29 locations using one phone number. In addition, the network is ready to support new capabilities including narrow casting and RFID while visitors benefit from wireless Internet access.

"We wanted to expand and be able to offer our customers the best service possible," said Hans van Velzen, Amsterdam Public Library's managing director. "In order to do so, we needed to have the 'best of the best' communication equipment in order to work quickly, efficiently and effectively. Alcatel-Lucent, together with their partners KPN and Alcadis, managed to translate our requirements and needs into a great solution."