Senior Living Center Deploys RingCentral Phone System Without High Costs or Complexity

3-minute read time 

Summary

• A network of senior living centers wanted to deploy a modern IP business phone system, but faced high costs, long timelines, and critical care disruption concerns. 

• NVT Phybridge PoLRE switch innovations removed the digital transformation barriers, delivering power and data over existing single-pair UTP. 

• Hundreds of IP phones were deployed across multiple locations, completed on time and under budget, improving ROI while reducing e-waste through sustainable infrastructure reuse. 

Challenge

A network of senior living centers needed to modernize its outdated analog communications system with an IP telephony and collaboration platform. Most of the facilities had an existing single-pair UTP wiring infrastructure. The customer felt trapped, thinking they needed to rip-and-replace their existing and proven local area network infrastructure, since standard PoE switches could not deliver the required power and data to the required distances. With several facilities and hundreds of endpoints to be modernized, the customer faced high network readiness costs, extended timelines, and critical care disruption. 

Solution 

To avoid the trap and improve project outcomes, the senior living centers selected NVT Phybridge PoLRE (Power over Long Reach Ethernet) switch innovations to enable the new RingCentral IP business phone system using its existing and proven CAT3 infrastructure. PoLRE switch innovations deliver power and data with extended reach over single-pair UTP cabling, eliminating the need to rip and replace existing and proven infrastructure. The innovation helped the senior living centers improve the project’s ROI, accelerate deployment timelines, and minimize disruption to residents and staff.

Sustainability

By reusing the existing and proven voice infrastructure across all modernization phases, the senior living centers prevented significant electronic waste. This strategy aligns with the organization’s commitment to sustainable practices, while ensuring that residents and staff benefit from improved communication and operational efficiency.