Siemens has helped LJ Hooker overhaul its communications systems at one of its Sydney offices.

The company needed a new phone system when its Bankstown, Sydney office expanded and picked Siemens so that its staff could use a single number either in the office or outside on their mobiles.

“This solution has not only allowed our agents to be freed from their desks to go out and get business, but also reduced overheads in our phone bills," said Paul Byrne, managing director LJ Hooker.

“Many businesses, real estate included, tend to work on having their employees supply their own phones and then reimbursing them.

"By owning the phones however we can have them on the same plan, remove the cost of interoffice calls and as an additional, and maybe the most important benefit, we keep the contact number. So if an agent moves on to a competitor, we still own the contacts that come through the phones,” he added.

Siemens installed up to 60 extensions and 30 lines for the 14 strong office. There is also a SIM gateway that plugs into the real estate's phone system, so that calls to and from the workplace and the mobiles are free.

“Commercial Real estate is a competitive business, and to us, we need our people out showing property or evaluating listings not sat at their desks,” said Byrne.

“As our business has grown we realised the importance of mobility to let our people work more efficiently out on the road – communication is key to our business,” he added.

The solution was purchased through TAMCO, an IPL Communications partner who helped develop and deploy the solution.

“TAMCO made the upgrade process simple and designed a system that met the needs of our business. They are always keen to follow up and assist and explain. We received training and have ongoing support which is vital to a customer facing organisation,” said Byrne.