Picture: SuperInternet’s Benjamin Tan wants small firms to enjoy enterprise-class technology

November 2008 – How do small businesses enjoy enterprise-class technology such as unified communications, without the resources and economy of scale of bigger organisations?

SuperInternet, a Singapore-based network engineering and Internet services provider believes it has the answer; it places the enterprise technology in its data centre and delivers the solutions over WAN (wide area network) links to small offices /sites. Through this multi-tenanting of the expensive backend resources, SuperInternet makes it possible for smaller entities (even SMEs with only three users) to have access to enterprise-class technology.

“The bulk of the cost of any IP telephony deployment is the call routing platform. IPTEL.NET.SG is the solution for companies who want the features of a high-end PABX but not the associated cost,” says SuperInternet managing director Benjamin Tan.

“SMBs which cannot justify installing their own IP telephony servers and core infrastructure can now benefit from IP telephony at a much reduced equipment and running cost. The result is significant savings in capital expenditure and lower communications costs.

“By outsourcing this component of the system to SuperInternet, customers are left primarily with only the expense of the IP phones, which are priced comparably to those of traditional PBX providers. As this is a subscription service, they enjoy the benefits from IP telephony almost immediately as we can turn on the service once they have subscribed, and deployment is simple and fast,” he adds.

The IPTEL.NET.SG solution comes with a comprehensive set of features. For example, Enhanced Call Details Records enable companies to keep track of calls, making it easier to control costs – a feature previously found only in high-end PABX systems.

“Today, people want more than just a phone,” Benjamin notes. “The IP Manager Assistant application available under Cisco's Call Manager provides call routing capabilities and other features that can help managers and their assistants handle phone calls more effectively.”

Capital investment pays off

SuperInternet took on both the service provider and the system integrator roles, although doing so was capital intensive. This was to ensure full control of its quality of service. With more critical services being placed on the IP network, it is essential to have a reliable link and with end-to-end control of the flow of the IP packets into the network.

SMEs would find it useful to have enterprise class technology; but it is too expensive. Also, the SMB variant of the technology that is within their price range usually does not offer the full features typically found in an enterprise-level system (for example, a key phone system versus a unified communications system).

Benjamin reveals that SuperInternet’s enterprise-level solutions have data security features that provide compartmentalisation among users.

Based on industry sources, there are two other companies in the US that have remotely similar offerings to those of SuperInternet.

Benjamin shares his business mission of bringing enterprise-class technology to the small site or office through hosting. He believes businesses can grow if they are as operationally efficient as big corporations but without having to spend too much money.

Other cost-efficient offerings

SuperInternet has an IDA licence for services-based operators that allows it to establish, install and maintain a telecommunications network or system with a full suite of Internet services.

Since 2000, it has been offering managed internet access services. When IDA launched the IP telephony regulatory framework in 2005, SuperInternet was the first licensee to obtain and fully interconnect the new level 3 phone numbers.

SuperInternet holds a direct assignment of 30,000 numbers from the IDA and more than half are in service, the company expects steady growth in the next few quarters.

One reason for Benjamin's success is his ability to build strong relationships with key partners. For example, he has successfully built strategic partnerships with main firmware supplier Cisco Systems.

Benjamin himself also holds some of the most highly regarded professional qualifications for network engineering today. He is thus able and happy to roll up his sleeves to address technical problems for his customers.

In 2006, he won the Singapore Computer Society’s Young Professional of the Year award.

Plans for 2009

He plans to extend the company’s portfolio through value-added offerings, for example, a low-cost VoIP solution for Singapore customers, known as XLvoice.

The company can allocate Singapore phone numbers to a VoIP device. This device can be placed anywhere in the world. In 2009, efforts will be focused on the export thrust of these devices to the rest of the world, such as appointing resellers and distributors for XLvoice service globally to target Singapore companies operating overseas and overseas companies with business dealings in Singapore.

More on SuperInternet

Have a success story to share?
E-mail us at contact_isg@portalcity.com.sg for your story to be featured.