Blood Diagnostics

An intelligent communications solution by Avaya and Microsoft

Blood Diagnostics, Inc. (BDI) is an independent, wholesale distributor of plasma-derived
pharmaceutical products. Founded on the principles of professional integrity, customer service and
commitment to the plasma industry, BDI provides emergency 24/7 availability, unparalleled customer
service, and extensive product knowledge. These principles and services define Blood Diagnostics’
customer-centric approach to serving the nation’s healthcare community. In addition to its headquarters
location in Irmo, S.C., the company owns and operates two remote offices. The BDI location in San
Diego, Calif. is a sales office. The Temecula, Calif. location is a distribution center. The company
currently employs approximately 40 people. For more information, visit www.blooddiagnostics.com.
Challenge
BDI needed to replace an aging 3Com analog telephone system at its Irmo headquarters location with
a solution that would also support its remote offices in San Diego and Temecula. BDI wanted a solution
that would network the three locations and provide more cost-efficient and easier inter-company
communications. In short, the company wanted a new communications system that would function as
if everyone was working at the same location. BDI also wanted to prepare each location to gradually
transition to IP telephony.
Solution
BDI evaluated a number of solutions before narrowing the choice to a Cisco or an Avaya system. The
company ultimately selected the Avaya IP Office Solution because it has the flexibility to interface with
both the analog phone system in place in Irmo and the IP phones in San Diego and Temecula. The
hybrid functionality of the Avaya IP Office system also allowed BDI to make a gradual migration to IP
telephony without having to install an entirely new voice and data network. BDI also found the Avaya IP
Office to be extremely cost-competitive against other vendors’ products.
Results
Communications consistency. ▶ The seamless integration between the existing analog phone system,
the Avaya IP Office Solution and the Microsoft Dynamics® CRM allows the company to function as
one operation while serving customers from multiple locations.
Cost savings. ▶ Now BDI can run all of its inter-company long distance calls between its sites in
California and South Carolina over IP and avoid costly toll charges.
Enhanced collaboration. ▶ And with three-digit dialing between locations, employees can also easily
contact each other as if their colleague was across the floor instead of across the country.
Scalability. ▶ Given its tremendous growth over the past few years, BDI is also considering a move to
a larger headquarters as well as opening more distribution points around the country. The company
expects to add more offices and more digital telephones, while adding additional IP phones
as needed to their remote locations. The Avaya solution’s flexibility will allow BDI to add those
telephones and additional lines quickly and easily.
Improved management options. ▶ The integrated Avaya and Microsoft Dynamics® CRM solution can
generate detailed reports, making tracking and monitoring — on a real-time and monthly basis — a
simple operation.