C.L.A.S.S. Information Technology Division was started by Robert W. Knight in September 2002.  We offer consulting as well as equipment installations, infrastructure provisioning and the ordering of circuits and equipment for large and small businesses.

Robert uses his experience and expertise to consult with different clients on their telephony and computers needs.  He worked over eight years as the Director of Voice Operations and Trading Technology for Enron Net Works LLP and most of this knowledge incorporates a vast amount of telephony experience with a high emphasis on voice trading technologies (IPC Tradenet/Alliance Systems, NICE & Thales Voice Recording Systems, AlphaCom Intercom System and Avaya G3R PBX and Voicemail Systems).  Also during his tenure with Enron he gained a working knowledge of LAN/WAN technologies.

C.L.A.S.S.  is a company with all consultants possessing a significant level of experience in communications.  Each one has held responsible line management positions in the communications environment.

·        Production of all relevant Requests for Proposal for all telephony equipment and services required to complete a project.

·        Conduct meetings with vendors and service providers, submit requirements and manage the proposal process.

·        Conduct meetings with vendors and service providers.

·        Award contracts to selected vendors and service providers.

·        Submit project plans to all participants and assign responsibilities accordingly.

·        Define a test plan for all systems.

·        Manage vendor and service providers’ progress. Submit regular progress reports..

·        Coordinate the physical installation and configuration of equipment.

·        Coordinate the testing of equipment and services as they are installed or relocated.

·        Coordinate with existing vendor and service providers to manage a smooth transition between the old and new environments. Old number call forwarding etc.

·        Coordinate all project participants throughout the physical move. Ensure support and coordinate training where applicable.

·        Handover all relevant documentation.

·        Evaluation of available options for a telecommunications strategy.

·        Strategy meetings between customers and vendors

·        Document the definitive telecommunications strategy as agreed to.

·        Estimate budget of costs for all items included in the scope.

·        Specifications for each component of the telecommunications strategy, currently assumed to contain:

-         Detailed requirements for a Telecommunications Service Provider (Telco).

-         Detailed requirements for each physical item of equipment, telephone switch, voice recording equipment, call accounting system, telephone handsets, etc.

-         Requests for Proposal for all equipment and services.

 

·        Evaluation of vendor and service provider proposals.

·        Management of selected vendors & service providers.

·        Real-time management of budget for all items included in the scope.

·        Real-time management of project plans for all activities included in the scope.

·        Regular progress reports for all activities in the project plan.

·        Regular progress meetings between customer and vendor.

·        Handover of telephony services as defined in the telecommunications strategy.

Data network migration strategy.

§   Cabling installation.

§   Local Area Network integration.

§   Wide Area network integration.

§   Business Contingency planning (Disaster recovery).

§   Cable TV installation.

§   Telecom & IT service contracts.

§   Staff relocation.

§   Budget management.

Using a combination of consultant resource located in Houston, many of whom have experience working in management positions for major international companies. Should a client with international operations require assistance with a project in C.L.A.S.S. can provide the necessary resource and skills, working closely with their US based counterparts to provide a seamless transfer of knowledge.

Services Provided           

·        Trading Floor Services

·        Audit/review

·        Strategic analysis

·        Feasibility studies

·        Strategic planning

·        Business continuity

·        Disaster recovery evaluation and testing

·        Scope and design

·        Specification, ITT, evaluation

·        Project management

·        Procurement, installation

·        Publicity, training

·        Regulatory compliance

·        Tariff studies

·        Cost benefit analysis

·        Fraud & Security audits

·        Communications software

The disciplines and facilities covered by the services include:

 

·        Specification of voice communications systems and networks.

·        Project management planning, execution and support for a wide range of requirements including IT, voice,  message, security, audio-visual, video conferencing, using many well known project management methods and other tools.

Trading Floor Services

 

C.L.A.S.S.  has, for many years, had major exposure to Financial and Energy trading floor services.    

 

Voice Systems

 

·        IPC Tradenet MX, Alliance MX and IQMX

·        BT Syntegra, ITS and modular developments of new products

·        Various PBX systems (eg. Avaya Definity,  Nortel Meridian) integrated into the trading systems and developed to meet the requirements of front/back office positions

Voice Recording                   

 ·        NICE analogue/digital ranges

·        Racal Wordnet, Tienna and Renaissance software

Intercom Systems     

 ·        Stentofon range, including Alphacomm and modern developments

·        Speakerbus

·        Purple Voice IP Intercom

 

·        How current technology is used, where improvements could be made to meet the business requirement.

 

 produce the specifications and carried out the RFP/tender evaluation process for:

 

·        New PBX for a campus-wide service for 36,000 users

 

·        New dealerboard system for the new trading floors for 2,000 positions

 

·        Voice recording system for the trading floor, support staff and other selected areas

 ·        Intercom system for 1500 users across two sites

 ·        Video conferencing for users, video conferencing rooms and boardrooms

 ·        Global Mobile Telephony Strategy

 ·        Management of trading staff relocation

 ·        Responsibility for IT applications audit and acceptance testing in preparation for each move

         ·        Setting up and management of the pre and post move helpdesk call center for IT support, telecoms and facilities issues