Simon Balle School: All-Through School
How Simon Balle School Modernised Its 12-Year-Old Phone System with a Cloud Solution Integrated with Arbor
Modernising school communications to give staff greater flexibility and connect the systems they use every day.
After around 12 years with the same Panasonic phone system, Simon Balle School needed a more flexible communications solution suited to modern ways of working.
Its priorities were to replace ageing handsets, give staff mobile access and connect telephony with Arbor, the school’s existing management platform.
The VoIP Shop delivered a modern 3CX cloud phone system with 34 new Yealink handsets, mobile applications and Arbor integration creating one flexible communications platform for the school.
Education
70 users
Hertford, 1 site
3CX Cloud PBX and Arbor Integration
About Simon Balle School
Simon Balle All-through School is a co-educational academy in Hertford, Hertfordshire.
It serves pupils across primary, secondary and sixth-form education, supporting a broad school community in an evolving learning environment.
As the school’s needs evolved, it recognised that its communications technology also needed to change better supporting staff and the way they work across the site.
The challenge: An Ageing Phone System That Could No Longer Meet the School’s Needs
Simon Balle School had relied on the same Panasonic phone system for approximately 12 years.
Although it had served the school well, the system no longer provided the flexibility or modern functionality the team required.
As part of a wider modernisation programme, the school wanted to make better use of mobile devices and connect its communications more closely with Arbor.
The key challenges included:
This was not simply a hardware refresh. The school needed a future-ready communications platform that would support staff, connect with existing systems and provide greater flexibility.
The solution
We began with a discovery meeting to understand the school’s requirements and show how cloud telephony could improve day-to-day communications.
The session demonstrated the available features and how the solution could operate in a real school environment.
The combination of modern functionality, competitive pricing and Arbor integration stood out to the school.
Instead of swapping the Panasonic equipment for another traditional system, we proposed a cloud-based platform that combined desk phones, mobile applications and integration.
3CX Cloud Phone System
We replaced the ageing Panasonic setup with a modern 3CX cloud phone system.
The platform brings communications into one central solution, with modern features that make everyday contact simpler and more flexible.
Arbor Integration
We integrated the new phone system with Arbor, linking communications to the school management platform staff already use.
The integration creates a more connected environment by bringing telephony alongside a system already embedded in staff workflows.
Mobile App Access
We introduced mobile applications so staff could access the school phone system from their mobile devices.
Employees can now use business phone features while moving around the school instead of relying solely on desk handsets.
34 Yealink Handsets
We supplied and installed 34 Yealink handsets, replacing the school’s ageing Panasonic equipment.
The upgraded handsets give staff reliable, up-to-date desk phones as part of the wider cloud communications solution.
Main Number Porting
We ported the school’s established main telephone number to the new system.
Parents, pupils and the wider school community could therefore continue using the familiar number without disruption.
The results: Flexible Communications Built for Modern Education
Replaced a 12-Year-Old Phone System
The school moved from its ageing Panasonic setup to a modern cloud communications platform with a broader range of features.
Business Phone Access on Mobile Devices
Staff can access the school phone system through mobile applications, giving them greater freedom to work away from their desks.
Arbor Integration
Telephony now works with Arbor, connecting school communications to the management platform already used by staff.
70 Users Supported on One Platform
A single platform now supports 70 users through 34 Yealink desk phones and mobile applications.
Modern Features at a Competitive Price
The school gained the functionality it needed at a competitive price, delivering value while modernising its communications infrastructure.
Could The VoIP Shop Transform Communications at Your School?
Is an ageing phone system limiting staff flexibility or failing to connect with the platforms your school relies on?
The VoIP Shop helps educational organisations modernise communications, support staff, simplify day-to-day contact and adapt to changing needs. From cloud phone systems and mobile applications to integrations and professional installation, we’ll help you choose a solution built around your school.