In the healthcare industry, an effective and reliable communications system is critical to day-to-day operations. CentraCare Health System relies on their Mitel Integrated Communication Solution to keep their communications running smoothly. In November of 2005, CentraCare Health System teamed up with Marco for the ongoing maintenance and support of their Mitel system. Marco provides telephone support services for over 20 sites within CentraCare Health System with more than 9,500 connections such as telephones, fax machines, and other devices.

CentraCare Health System’s decision to choose Marco as their communications service provider was two-fold – one was their strong belief in supporting local businesses in the St. Cloud area. “Strong businesses equal a strong economy for the St. Cloud community and for the residents of Central Minnesota,” said Terry Pladson, M.D., president of CentraCare Health System. “We’re proud to be involved in these types of partnerships with organizations from across Central Minnesota, bringing jobs and money into the local economy. “

Marco also shares common interests and values with CentraCare Health System in supporting the communities they serve. Terry Kantor, coordinator of networking and telecommunications for CentraCare Health System explained, “Marco is familiar with the community and outlying areas we serve because they serve those areas as well.”

Another reason CentraCare Health System selected Marco was their long standing partnership. Marco has been providing CentraCare Health System with on-site data networking and cabling services for almost 30 years.
According to Chuck Dooley, vice president of Information Systems, “CentraCare Health System has been very satisfied with the service we have received from Marco. In recognition of this excellent service, our organization is confident in Marco’s ability to provide service for our Mitel communication systems.”

Marco currently outsources six certified technical engineers to CentraCare Health System for on-site data, cabling, and voice service and support. Outsourcing gives the healthcare provider immediate access to technical services and skills to match their needs and allows them more control over their IT costs.

Two of Marco’s engineers are dedicated to supporting CentraCare Health System’s Mitel Integrated Communication Solution. “Because Marco has qualified individuals, we were willing to make the transition for our telephone service,” explained Terry. “Marco’s technicians are always willing to share information with us, which allows us to work together more as a team.”

CentraCare Health System implemented their first Mitel Communications System in 1987. Recently, they added a Mitel Integrated Communications VoIP platform to support their continued growth. Their goals in migrating to an IP environment were to increase features and lower their communication costs. They are taking advantage of the many benefits of VoIP such as added mobility, reduced costs for adds, moves, and changes, reduced infrastructure costs and charges for long distance calls between offices, and more efficient system management. The Mitel Integrated Communication Solution will support both VoIP and their traditional digital telephones, thus allowing them a migration path to IP telephony.

CentraCare Health System is a collaborative group of Central Minnesota healthcare professionals working together to provide comprehensive, high-quality care close to home. CentraCare Health System comprises three hospitals — in St. Cloud, Long Prairie and Melrose — as well as four long-term care facilities, nearly a dozen clinics, and numerous specialty care services.