The Challenge
WPUSD faced several challenges with its outdated communication system. The district’s reliance on analog phone lines led to frequent outages and rising maintenance costs, making reliability a growing concern. As the district prepared for school remodels and new construction, scalability became a priority since they needed a system that could grow with their needs. Additionally, managing multiple disconnected phone systems across different schools created inefficiencies and inconsistencies, complicating daily operations.
Recognizing the urgent need for modernization, WPUSD sought a partner who could help evaluate and implement the right solution for their growing district.
The Solution
Maverick Networks guided WPUSD through the selection and implementation of MiVoice Business, a flexible and scalable communication solution. The Maverick team worked closely with WPUSD to evaluate their specific needs, ensuring that the chosen platform could support both their immediate requirements and long-term growth.
"Maverick Networks helped us throughout the selection process, making sure we had the right solution that would integrate smoothly across all of our schools," Kevin said.
The team provided thorough demonstrations, connected WPUSD with key vendors, and ensured that the district had a clear understanding of how MiVoice Business would fit into their operations.
Maverick Networks also assisted WPUSD in leveraging contract vehicles to streamline procurement. "For large-scale projects, utilizing an established contract allows us to expedite the process while ensuring we work with trusted partners who meet our district’s needs efficiently and effectively," Kevin explained.
Using contract vehicles helped WPUSD plan for future expansions while ensuring cost predictability. "Unlike other vendors where pricing might spike unexpectedly, using contracts gives us a virtual guarantee that won’t happen, so we can plan better."
Implementation
The district took a phased approach to implementation, upgrading a few schools each summer to ensure smooth transitions. "Our first iteration was small—just our office and a school with 10 classrooms. Then we did two schools at a time, rolling out several hundred phones each summer for four or five years afterward," Kevin explained.
The Maverick Networks team provided hands-on support throughout the rollout. "We really had a good system in place. Once we had the process down after the first year, we could deploy two elementary schools in a day," Kevin noted.
The Maverick team took a proactive approach to ensure a seamless implementation for WPUSD. By pre-building the programming and delivering all equipment in advance, they minimized disruptions and kept the transition smooth. On-site, Maverick's engineers collaborated closely with WPUSD’s IT staff to efficiently install and configure devices, providing hands-on support throughout the process. Each cutover was meticulously planned, ensuring there was no communication downtime and that the district’s operations remained uninterrupted.
The Results
Since implementing MiVoice Business with Maverick Networks, WPUSD has experienced a more reliable, scalable, and easy-to-manage communication system. The transition has streamlined operations, improved collaboration across campuses, and ensured ongoing support for future growth.
Reduced Cost and Improved System Management
Eliminating outdated analog lines has reduced maintenance challenges and improved reliability. Kevin also says, "it’s been super easy to manage. Our support team knows our system inside and out, which has made troubleshooting and maintenance a breeze."
Scalability for Growth and Seamless User Experience
"We took a multi-phase approach, so we always knew how many classrooms we were upgrading next year. That predictability was a huge benefit," Kevin stated. With all schools on a single system, staff can now extension dial between campuses, improving internal collaboration.
Continued Support and Partnership
WPUSD now has a service agreement in place with Maverick Networks, ensuring ongoing support and system optimization. Kevin shared, "we’ll be using it this summer to test all our failovers and keep everything updated."
Continued Success
The partnership between WPUSD and Maverick Networks has been instrumental in bringing the district’s communications into the modern era. With a reliable, scalable solution in place, WPUSD is better equipped to support its students, staff, and community for years to come.
Kevin summed it up saying, "from start to finish, we’ve been super happy. Lillie has always been great on the sales side. The help desk, implementation team—everyone knows our system inside and out, which made each rollout easier. By the end, our implementation calls were five minutes long because it was just ‘same as last time.’"
"We’ve been doing this since 2018, and to this day, I can reach out to Dave and he’ll remember exactly how our system is set up. That’s the benefit of working with a dedicated partner."
