Local Company amaZulu Wins the Ultimate Business Technology Package

Customer service has been the key to growing her one-of-a-kind, Clermont-based, amaZulu, to $1 million in sales and Claire Evans is looking forward to utilizing technology to help create the next level of client satisfaction. Her company’s innovation paid off when it won a national competition, the Make Mine a Million $ BusinessTM program to help women micro entrepreneurs grow and build sustainable enterprises, create jobs and develop innovative products and services.

As a part of the reward package, Make Mine a Million sponsor Cisco Systems awarded up to $25,000 of unified communications and computer networking equipment along with consulting services from Maitland, FL based company, i-Tech Support, Inc. The idea was to develop new communications technologies that would accommodate the firm's growth and provide a competitive advantage. The award could not have been timelier. amaZulu was preparing to move into a new, larger facility in Clermont, and its existing systems were at capacity.

Applying imagination and resourcefulness to improve and expand industry product options is one area of specialty amaZulu has excelled in. But like most fast-growing small businesses, it was only a matter of time before critical employees were spending time away from strategic work to keep the computers and phone system running.

“amaZulu Inc. is more than just a supplier of natural architectural materials - bamboo, thatching, rustic fencing, grass umbrellas. We specialize in delivering paradise - concept to construction - in aquariums, homes, zoos, resorts, and theme parks. The system we ended up installing has created much efficiency,” says Claire. “It helps us operate a business like it should be run”.

An open checkbook from a company like Cisco Systems would be a technophile’s dream prize. But Claire and the amaZulu staff, like many people at other small businesses, are not necessarily experts in the latest communications technology. That’s why i-Tech, a Cisco Provider, was brought in to help.

According to Steve Kaiser, i-Tech’s Project Manager, “We tried to help amaZulu design the perfect network for their business by staging a white board session. You ask questions and start writing everything down. We started by reviewing business processes. How are the customers served? If money was no object, what could we do to help?”

“We ended up developing a system to enable their Customer Resource Management (CRM system), QuickBooks accounting, and Microsoft’s Small Business Server that includes their own in-house mail system using Exchange,” adds Kaiser, “ We also put in secured wireless networking so all of the employees could access everything from anywhere in the two buildings, including the warehouses. Everything was overlaid on an infrastructure that also enables voice and video over the same network as the computer systems.”

The system i-Tech ended up installing included Cisco’s newest Unified Communications Express system, Cisco 7961 and 7941 IP multi-line desk phones and 7921 Wireless phone sets. The UC Express system included a built-in firewall for securing their Internet connection. Cisco 1242 wireless access points provide infrastructure that allows for seamless roaming through both of amaZulu’s new buildings, even the warehouses and showrooms. Employees can seamlessly roam anywhere and still have access to secure network applications. The new Cisco 7921 wireless phones allow full functionality for up to 6 phone lines so nobody is tied to a desk. Everyone can do their job from anyplace in the business.

amaZulu had taken steps earlier this year to deploy some of the latest technologies being touted for small businesses. “Dropped calls with our old VOIP system were creating a challenge in running the business” says Clare. We felt like guinea pigs for our old provider. We would be down for days at a time! Basic functions like being able to transfer calls did not work. Now, we have effective call transferring between departments as well as group pickup capabilities. Each employee has their own distinctive ring so it is easy to tell what phone is ringing in a group setting.”

“Video Conferencing will actually take weeks from the process of developing new products in collaboration with our vendors,” adds Claire. “Pictures indeed show a thousand words. I can show our R&D Vendors exactly what I am looking for through video conferencing – they see color, texture and size and I don’t even have to speak their language!!”

"Wireless is part of everyday life now,” says Claire. "People want to pull the network plug at their desk and take their laptop and phone into a conference room, warehouse, or showroom.”

As amaZulu moved into their new facilities, the staff at i-Tech conducted training on the new system. i-Tech has also taken over daily support of the system. “The technical support we get from Jason Goldberg and his staff at i-Tech is unique in this industry. They are so quick to solve problems and time is money!” says Claire. “Once our new Internet and phone line was up, everything seemed to be plug and play with no hitches.

amaZulu is adding up the benefits of IP unified communications technology, and they are realizing maximized productivity without being tied to a desk. Says Claire, “Go ask our poor sales manager! Anwar is now a happy man! As far as cost saving goes, it is early to be able to give you actual numbers. But there is no way to tell how much lost revenue we incurred because our old systems were not up to the level that we needed to do business.”

By the way, AmaZulu exceeded their goal of $1Million in sales in calendar year 2007 at the end of September.

i-Tech is a locally owned business solutions provider specializing in technology consulting,. They provide end-to-end business solutions, specializing in the areas of Cisco Unified Communications (IP Telephony), Cisco Network Security and Wireless, Managed Network Services and Microsoft Network Infrastructure. Find us at www.i-TechSupport.com.

Cisco, (NASDAQ: CSCO), is the worldwide leader in networking that transforms how people connect, communicate and collaborate. Information about Cisco can be found at http://www.cisco.com. For ongoing news, please go to http://newsroom.cisco.com.

amaZulu, Inc is a Woman Owned Business based in Clermont, Florida. They import natural and synthetic tropical theming materials from different villages around the world. Services range from design and supply to install and project manage, for companies as large as theme parks to our local residence. For more information please visit our website at www.amazuluinc.com.