RSM, an esteemed Australian accounting and consulting firm, has undergone a remarkable transformation in its digital communications infrastructure thanks to its strategic partnership with Macquarie Telecom. This collaboration, which began in 2019, has addressed several critical challenges and enabled RSM to enhance its network performance across its 32 locations, especially in regional Australia. The evolution of this partnership over the years has included the introduction of comprehensive solutions like SD-WAN network and voice services, significantly transforming RSM’s network performance and user experience. This alliance has notably resolved past issues such as lack of resiliency, capacity constraints, and high costs, thereby setting a new benchmark for customer service and operational efficiency in the industry.
Early Challenges with Network Infrastructure
Before partnering with Macquarie Telecom, RSM struggled with an underperforming MPLS network that simply couldn’t meet the demands of a growing enterprise. Lacking resiliency and capacity, the existing network infrastructure was not cost-effective, posing significant operational challenges. These issues were further exacerbated by high costs and strained relationships with the previous service provider, creating a complex web of inefficiencies that significantly hindered RSM’s day-to-day activities. Particularly in its regional branches, the network was slow and unreliable, severely limiting RSM’s ability to deliver services at par with its metropolitan counterparts. Frustrated by these challenges, RSM began a rigorous selection process to find a more reliable and customer-focused solution.
Their quest for a better network solution culminated in the selection of Macquarie Telecom’s SD-WAN offering. The initial phase of this partnership represented a pivotal shift in RSM’s network strategy, marking the beginning of a comprehensive overhaul of its digital communications infrastructure. The decision to transition away from the traditional MPLS network to a more advanced SD-WAN solution was motivated by the need for better performance, increased capacity, and enhanced resiliency. This strategic move aimed to not only address the existing network deficiencies but also create a robust foundation capable of supporting future growth and technological advancements.
The Shift to Macquarie Telecom’s SD-WAN
After an exhaustive selection process, RSM opted for Macquarie Telecom’s SD-WAN solution, a decision marking a pivotal shift in its network strategy. The deployment began in late 2019, just before the world was hit by the Covid-19 pandemic. Despite the unforeseen challenges introduced by the global health crisis, Macquarie Telecom’s proactive and responsive approach ensured the seamless completion of the rollout by mid-2020. This efficient implementation proved transformative for RSM, addressing long-standing network challenges and significantly improving performance and resiliency.
The SD-WAN, or Software-Defined Wide Area Network, brought numerous advantages over the traditional MPLS network. By offering better performance, greater capacity, and increased resiliency, the SD-WAN implementation made an observable difference in RSM’s daily operations, particularly in its regional offices such as Bunbury and Ballarat. The enhanced network infrastructure enabled RSM to increase bandwidth, reduce IT outages, and deliver services parallel to those offered in metropolitan regions. This shift laid a robust foundation for future technological expansions, ensuring that RSM could continue to serve its clients efficiently, even amid a global crisis.
The Pandemic Test
The Covid-19 pandemic posed unprecedented challenges to businesses worldwide, stress-testing their operational and technological resilience. For RSM, the timing of the SD-WAN deployment was ironically fortuitous, as the new network faced immediate tests due to the sudden shift to remote work and increased demand for digital communications. Despite these pressures, the newly deployed SD-WAN network proved its mettle, handling the surge in demand efficiently and reliably. This seamless transition highlighted the efficiency and scalability of the SD-WAN solution, underlining the importance of having a resilient and adaptable network, especially during unforeseen global disruptions.
Throughout the pandemic, RSM’s new network infrastructure not only managed to maintain performance standards but also enhanced them. The ability to quickly adapt to remote work requirements and increased digital communications needs ensured that RSM could continue offering high-quality services to its clients without interruptions. This successful navigation through such tumultuous times showcased the robustness of the SD-WAN solution and underscored the significance of strategic technological investments in ensuring business continuity. In essence, the successful handling of the Covid-19 challenges validated the effectiveness of the SD-WAN deployment, proving that RSM had made the right choice in its partnership with Macquarie Telecom.
Expanding the Partnership: SIP Trunking
In 2021, the partnership between RSM and Macquarie Telecom expanded to include SIP trunking services, further enhancing RSM’s communication capabilities. SIP trunking allows telephone calls to be made over the internet, providing greater flexibility and scalability compared to traditional phone lines. This addition not only solidified the existing alliance but also reinforced RSM’s network infrastructure, enabling the company to offer superior services to its clients. The integration of SIP trunking services reflected both organizations’ commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction, showcasing their willingness to continually invest in advanced technologies to improve operational efficiency and service delivery.
The introduction of SIP trunking services brought notable improvements in both cost-effectiveness and operational flexibility. By leveraging internet-based telephony, RSM could significantly reduce communication costs while simultaneously enhancing the capacity and reliability of its telephone services. This technological advancement enabled RSM to streamline its communication processes, making it easier to manage client relationships and deliver top-notch services. The dual benefits of flexibility and cost savings provided by SIP trunking underscored the transformative impact of the ongoing collaboration between RSM and Macquarie Telecom, further establishing the partnership as a model for leveraging technological solutions to drive business growth and service excellence.
Impact on Regional Offices and Expansion Plans
One of the most significant benefits of the RSM-Macquarie Telecom partnership has been its positive impact on RSM’s regional offices. Historically, these locations, such as Bunbury and Ballarat, struggled with poor network performance, frequent IT outages, and insufficient bandwidth. However, the introduction of SD-WAN and SIP trunking services has effectively addressed these issues, resulting in significantly improved network performance. The enhanced infrastructure has enabled regional offices to reduce IT outages, increase bandwidth, and deliver services comparable to those offered in metropolitan areas. These improvements have not only bolstered professional growth and client satisfaction in regional Australia but also underscored RSM’s commitment to providing high-quality services across all its locations.
Looking ahead, RSM plans to continue its strategic expansion into new regional areas. The firm’s robust technological foundation, established through its partnership with Macquarie Telecom, positions it well to explore new opportunities and further enhance its service offerings. New practices in locations like Gosford indicate RSM’s aggressive growth strategy and its commitment to delivering exceptional services to clients throughout Australia. This ongoing technological and geographical expansion underscores the crucial role of the partnership in driving RSM’s growth ambitions and its ability to adapt to changing market demands and client needs.
Commitment to Customer Experience
After a thorough selection process, RSM chose Macquarie Telecom’s SD-WAN solution, marking a significant shift in its network strategy. The deployment began in late 2019, right before the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. Despite the unforeseen challenges of a global health crisis, Macquarie Telecom’s proactive and responsive approach ensured the seamless completion of the project by mid-2020. This efficient implementation transformed RSM’s network, addressing long-standing challenges and greatly improving performance and resilience.
The SD-WAN, or Software-Defined Wide Area Network, offered numerous advantages over the traditional MPLS network. With better performance, higher capacity, and increased resilience, the SD-WAN implementation made a noticeable impact on RSM’s daily operations, particularly in regional offices like Bunbury and Ballarat. The improved network infrastructure allowed RSM to boost bandwidth, reduce IT outages, and offer services equivalent to those in metropolitan areas. This upgrade laid a solid foundation for future technological growth, ensuring RSM could continue to serve its clients effectively, even during a global crisis.
