Overview
For more than 20 years, this Twin Cities-area manufacturing company relied on a Toshiba business phone system originally installed and supported by POPP. The system had faithfully served employees at two facilities, helping keep production moving and teams connected.
When Toshiba exited the business phone system market years ago, POPP continued servicing the system for as long as possible. Over time, however, replacement parts became increasingly difficult to obtain, making a major hardware failure far more difficult—and expensive—to recover from. Rather than waiting for an unexpected outage, the company chose to proactively modernize its communications with a migration plan designed by the same local team that had supported them for the past two decades.
To protect client privacy, company names and identifying details have been modified or omitted. Images are for illustrative purposes only.
The Challenge
The company’s existing Toshiba PBX continued to meet their daily communication needs, but the technology behind it had reached the end of its practical life. If the system experienced a major hardware failure, replacement components would be difficult to source, potentially resulting in extended downtime and an emergency replacement.
In addition to replacing the phone system, the company wanted to:
- Connect both manufacturing facilities under one modern phone system
- Maintain their existing overhead paging capabilities used throughout the facilities
- Replace aging POTS telephone lines supporting their fire alarm systems
- Avoid a significant upfront investment in new network infrastructure
Most importantly, they wanted the transition to be simple for employees and completed with minimal disruption to daily operations.
The Solution
POPP developed a migration plan that modernized the company’s communications while preserving the features employees depended on every day.
The aging Toshiba PBX was replaced with POPP’s Cloud Phone System, serving both company locations over their existing Comcast Internet connections. A total of 66 leased IP desk phones were installed across the two facilities, giving employees modern communications while avoiding the large capital expense of purchasing new equipment outright.
To support the new phones, POPP also provided leased Power over Ethernet (PoE) network switches for both locations. Because the switches were included as a monthly service, the company avoided the cost of purchasing new networking equipment while ensuring reliable power and connectivity for every phone. POPP is responsible to administer the switches as needed, at no additional cost.
Recognizing that overhead paging is essential in many manufacturing environments, POPP integrated new paging equipment with the company’s existing paging speakers. Employees continue to make facility-wide announcements using their phones just as they always have, requiring virtually no change to their daily workflow.
As part of the project, POPP also replaced two traditional POTS lines serving the company’s fire alarm system with POPP Wireless Phone Service lines. Finally, the legacy PRI T1 circuit was eliminated, allowing voice services to operate over the company’s existing Internet connections.
The Results
By proactively replacing the unsupported Toshiba system and eliminating a business continuity risk, the manufacturer successfully modernized communications across both facilities without disrupting day-to-day operations.
Today, the company benefits from:
- A modern Cloud Phone System connecting both locations
- 66 leased IP desk phones
- Continued overhead paging using the existing speaker infrastructure
- Wireless Phone Service supporting both fire alarm circuits
- Leased PoE network switches with no large upfront equipment purchase
- Elimination of the legacy PRI T1 circuit
- Free, ongoing remote support and add/move/changes from the same local POPP team they have trusted for more than 20 years
Instead of facing an unexpected emergency replacement, the company completed a planned migration on their own schedule—gaining a reliable, fully supported communications platform designed to serve their business for many years to come.
Supporting Manufacturing, Warehouse & Distribution Businesses Across the Twin Cities
From production floors and warehouses to distribution centers and office staff, manufacturers rely on communication systems that simply work.
POPP helps manufacturing, warehouse, and distribution businesses modernize aging phone systems, support multiple facilities, maintain overhead paging, and keep employees connected with reliable Cloud Phone Systems backed by local Twin Cities support.
Whether you’re replacing an unsupported PBX or planning for future growth, our team can help you make the transition on your schedule—not during an unexpected outage.
Planning Ahead for an Aging Phone System?
If your business still relies on an older Toshiba or other legacy PBX, you don’t have to wait until it fails to start planning. POPP can help you evaluate your current system, preserve the features your employees rely on, and create a smooth migration plan that fits your timeline—not an emergency.