BAR teams up with Avaya

Avaya Inc. (NYSE:AV), a leading global provider of business communications software, systems and services, has today become the latest Team Technical Partner to join Lucky Strike B*A*R Honda. The new partnership for 2005 and beyond will migrate the team to IP telephony and improve mobile communication for engineering and operational staff who support participation at the races.

Completed in partnership with Avaya business partner STL, the refit will enable the team to turn its IT and communication infrastructure into a competitive advantage on the track, keeping it at the forefront of Formula One racing.

The converged communication network has been installed at the Team Operations Centre in Brackley, UK and will also be used by the test and race teams. The installation of IP telephony enables the five buildings on the 86,000 sqm site to be viewed as a single, multiple-site operation - with centralised administration.

This set-up increases the efficiency and speed of employee communication. Also, it will deliver significant time savings as well as a reduction of 30% of communication costs incurred locally in the foreign country.

Commenting on the Avaya system, David France, B*A*R Honda Head of IT, said, "By installing IP telephony we have delivered significant time savings and improved communication for our team members and partners. With 19 races this year, the world of Formula One is extremely fast-paced on and off the track and with our 2004 podium successes, we have been experiencing a period of sustained growth. We were looking for technology that would support expansion and help us meet our aggressive goal of becoming the world's leading Formula One team. Avaya's proposition met all of these requirements."

To support the team at tests and races, the Avaya system is required to meet the mobile working needs of up to 100 travelling team members in the Team trucks. With the new Avaya system in place, the personnel can now utilise broadband IP telephony with an Avaya 'softphone' (software allowing a computer device to be used a phone) reducing the waiting time and costs involved in setting up multiple phone lines at each circuit and improving accessibility of key personnel.

During the first few months of the 2005 season, the team will also be installing messaging software for its drivers and key management to improve communication with key Partners from the races. As part of the communication network, B*A*R Honda will also adopt Speech Access voice dialling software to speed up internal and inter-site communication.

These facilities will enable the test and race teams to dial one number and 'speak' an employee's name, allowing instant transfer to that person whilst on the move. Towards the latter half of the season, the team will be looking at testing applications such as wireless IP telephony, one number dialling and home working to increase the mobility and working capabilities of its employees.

Buddie Ceronie, vice-president for Avaya in the UK, Ireland and Southern Africa commented: "B∙A∙R Honda's new network will provide it with the capability to further improve communication and the relationship with its expanding fan and partner base, whilst delivering the full benefits of flexible working and IP telephony to its team."

"STL looks forward to continuing a long standing relationship with B∙A∙R Honda. The new Avaya IP solution will certainly enhance global communication for the team. Centralised administration will simplify management of the systems for STL as we look to support B∙A∙R Honda in its challenge for the World Championship," said Brendan Cross, Managing Director of STL Communications Limited.

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