HOUSTON – June 2, 2003 – NextiraOne, a Platinum Equity company and leading network solutions and services provider of voice, data and converged technology, today announced the successful completion of a major telecommunications network overhaul for Kean University, one of the largest institutions of higher learning in New Jersey. Over a seven month period NextiraOne designed and implemented a campus-wide IP-enabled Nortel Networks* Meridian* Enterprise Network voice platform which consolidates the university’s infrastructure in preparation for a fully converged voice and data network for students, faculty and administrative staff. 

“Universities like Kean rely on fast, efficient and cost-effective telecommunications to bring students the best that higher education has to offer,” said Mike Olson, senior vice president, sales and marketing for NextiraOne. “By completely reconstructing its telecommunications network on an IP-enabled voice platform, Kean University is providing students and faculty the most advanced and adaptable communications solutions available.”

With an enrollment of more than 12,000 students, Kean University is a comprehensive institution offering 47 undergraduate and 27 graduate degree programs. Originally founded in 1855, the university moved to its current location in Union and Hillside Townships, New Jersey in 1958. The older infrastructure of the campus and the copper feeder cabling which served its facilities created limitations on the university’s ability to provide state-of-the-art telecommunications features. 

NextiraOne designed an innovative network solution to bring Kean University’s infrastructure up to date. Relying on a fiber optic backbone data distribution, NextiraOne developed a cost-effective method to deliver a feature-rich voice platform throughout the campus, bringing new technology into historic buildings. In addition, NextiraOne designed custom voice solutions tailored to the university’s needs. These custom programs include campus-wide 911 tracking, public utilization features, and special solutions for student services. As a result, students will see clear benefits from the new system, including enhanced security via call-tracking features, lower-cost long-distance call charges from campus phones, and improved communication with students and faculty through campus-wide messaging on a unified, seamless network.

“NextiraOne’s proven track record in creating and implementing cost-effective telecommunications networks at universities around the country made them the obvious choice for us,” said Joseph Marinello, IT director, networking and telecommunications for Kean University. “As a result of NextiraOne’s superb design and quick installation, Kean University now offers its students, faculty and staff cutting-edge voice services, and with an IP-enabled system, we are ready for the future.” 


About Kean University
Founded in 1855, Kean University has grown to become one of New Jersey’s largest institutions of higher learning. In 1958, Kean moved from Newark to Union and currently occupies over 150 acres in Union and Hillside Townships. Kean was granted university status on September 26, 1997. Across four undergraduate colleges and the Nathan Weiss College of Graduate Studies, Kean’s academic programs cover an exceptional range of disciplines.

About NextiraOne
Headquartered in Houston and Paris, NextiraOne is a leading provider of network solutions and services. NextiraOne delivers world-class solutions and LifeCycle^SM services from planning and design, through the implementation, support, and management of voice, data, and converged communications networks. As a global service organization that carries an extensive portfolio of certifications and product expertise, NextiraOne provides best-in-class technologies from leading partners, such as Nortel Networks, Cisco Systems, and Alcatel. NextiraOne offers consultation and solutions development ranging from contact center applications to network infrastructure outsourcing. NextiraOne is owned by Platinum Equity (www.peh.com), a global organization specializing in the acquisition and strategic management of mission-critical companies. For more information, please visit www.NextiraOne.com.

About Platinum Equity
Platinum Equity (www.peh.com) is a global acquisition firm uniquely specialized in the operation of mission-critical technology companies. Since its founding in 1995, Platinum has completed 40 privately funded transactions, leveraging a multi-billion-dollar revenue base derived from the continued growth of its portfolio. With an established infrastructure in North America, Europe, Asia and South America, Platinum employs a workforce of more than 15,000 serving over 500,000 customers worldwide.

*Nortel Networks and Meridian are trademarks of Nortel Networks.

Contact:

Kendra Petrone
M/C/C for NextiraOne
972-480-8383 x.231
Kendra_Petrone@mccom.com