Customer: Crouch Neighbourhood Resource Centre (CNRC)
Location: London, Ontario, Canada
Industry: Nonprofit / Community Services
Original Phone System: Nortel Norstar
Previous Cloud Platform: Mitel Connect Cloud (MiCloud Connect)
New Communications Platform: RingCentral
Deployment: 7 RingCentral user profiles
Implementation Partner: High Country Workplace Technologies (HCWT)
Overview
For community-based nonprofit organizations, reliable telephone communications are essential for connecting staff, volunteers, community partners, and the people they serve.
Crouch Neighbourhood Resource Centre, located at 550 Hamilton Road in London, Ontario, Canada, is a nonprofit organization serving the local community through programs, resources, and neighborhood support services.
Like many organizations with longstanding telephone infrastructure, Crouch originally relied on a Nortel Norstar key telephone system.
When the organization needed technical assistance with its aging Nortel system, it found High Country Workplace Technologies through an internet search.
That initial request for support began a relationship that would eventually guide Crouch through two generations of cloud communications technology.
The Challenge: Maintaining an Aging Nortel Norstar System
Nortel Norstar telephone systems were widely deployed in small businesses, nonprofit organizations, and public-sector facilities throughout North America.
Although these systems provided years of reliable service, their age and the declining availability of manufacturer support created growing challenges for organizations that continued to depend on them.
Crouch initially contacted HCWT for assistance with its existing Nortel Norstar telephone system.
Rather than focusing exclusively on maintaining aging infrastructure, HCWT recommended that the organization consider a transition to cloud-based communications.
The recommended solution was Mitel Connect Cloud, also known as MiCloud Connect, a hosted business communications platform.
This represented Crouch's first transition from traditional premises-based telephony to a cloud communications service.
The First Migration: Nortel Norstar to Mitel Connect Cloud
HCWT helped Crouch move away from its legacy Nortel environment and adopt Mitel Connect Cloud.
The transition established a cloud-based communications platform without requiring the organization to continue operating its original Nortel key system.
For a smaller nonprofit, this approach provided a practical path toward modern communications technology while maintaining a relationship with a technical partner familiar with its previous telephone environment.
As the hosted communications market evolved, however, Mitel Connect Cloud was ultimately discontinued.
Crouch once again needed a path forward for its business telephone communications.
The Next Chapter: Migrating from Mitel Connect Cloud to RingCentral
With Mitel Connect Cloud no longer available as a long-term communications platform, HCWT assisted Crouch with its transition to RingCentral.
The new deployment included seven RingCentral user profiles, appropriately sized for the organization's communications requirements.
Although the project was relatively small compared with large enterprise migrations, it required the same fundamental attention to planning, equipment provisioning, implementation coordination, and customer support.
HCWT's objective was to provide a manageable transition to the new cloud platform without requiring the customer to independently configure and deploy its replacement telephones.
Remote Phone Provisioning and Deployment Across the Canadian Border
One of the important aspects of the project was HCWT's ability to manage the replacement telephone deployment remotely.
Rather than requiring the customer to provision its own devices, HCWT handled the equipment preparation and deployment process.
The migration followed a straightforward approach:
- New telephone provisioning: HCWT configured the replacement telephones for the RingCentral environment.
- Equipment shipment: The provisioned telephones were shipped directly to Crouch in London, Ontario.
- Coordinated cutover: The organization transitioned from Mitel Connect Cloud to RingCentral.
- Legacy equipment return: Following the cutover, Crouch returned its previous Mitel telephones.
This approach helped simplify the deployment for the customer and demonstrated how HCWT can support communications migrations beyond its local geographic market.
The Result: A New Cloud Communications Platform and an Ongoing Technology Relationship
Crouch Neighbourhood Resource Centre successfully transitioned from its former Mitel Connect Cloud service to RingCentral with seven user profiles.
The organization moved forward with a modern cloud communications platform, while HCWT managed the replacement telephone provisioning and deployment process.
More importantly, the project represents the continuation of a customer relationship that began with a request for assistance on an aging Nortel Norstar telephone system.
Over time, HCWT helped the organization progress through three generations of communications technology:
Nortel Norstar → Mitel Connect Cloud → RingCentral
For Crouch, the migration provided a path away from a discontinued cloud communications platform.
For HCWT, the project demonstrates that successful customer relationships are not defined by the number of telephones or the size of an organization.
Why Organizations Choose High Country Workplace Technologies
The Crouch Neighbourhood Resource Centre project illustrates several important aspects of HCWT's approach to communications modernization.
Legacy Telephone System Expertise
HCWT's experience with older telephone platforms allows organizations operating Nortel, Mitel, Avaya, and other legacy systems to obtain technical assistance while evaluating modern alternatives.
Cloud-to-Cloud Migration Experience
Not every communications modernization project involves replacing a physical PBX.
Organizations using discontinued or aging hosted telephone services may also need assistance migrating to a modern cloud communications platform.
Preconfigured Telephone Deployment
HCWT can provision replacement telephones before shipment, helping reduce the amount of configuration work required at the customer location.
Support for Organizations of All Sizes
Whether a customer requires seven user profiles or hundreds of extensions across multiple facilities, HCWT applies a structured approach to communications deployment and migration.
Geographic Reach
With customers across the United States and Canada, HCWT supports communications modernization projects beyond its Colorado headquarters.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a former Mitel Connect Cloud customer migrate to RingCentral?
Yes. Organizations previously using Mitel Connect Cloud can transition to RingCentral. Migration planning should account for telephone numbers, user profiles, devices, call handling requirements, and the transition between service providers.
Can High Country provision RingCentral telephones before shipping them to a customer?
Yes. HCWT can provision RingCentral-compatible telephones and ship them to the customer for deployment. This approach was used during the Crouch Neighbourhood Resource Centre migration in London, Ontario.
Does HCWT support small businesses and nonprofit organizations?
Yes. HCWT supports organizations of different sizes, including smaller nonprofits. The Crouch RingCentral migration involved seven user profiles.
Can HCWT help organizations still operating Nortel Norstar telephone systems?
Yes. HCWT has experience with legacy Nortel Norstar systems and can assist organizations evaluating migration options, including modern cloud communications platforms.
Does HCWT provide communications migration services in Canada?
HCWT has supported Canadian customers, including Crouch Neighbourhood Resource Centre in London, Ontario, with RingCentral migration and remote telephone deployment services. Project availability and service eligibility depend on location and requirements.
Planning a Migration from a Legacy or Discontinued Phone System?
Whether your organization operates an aging Nortel Norstar system, a legacy Mitel platform, or another communications solution that no longer meets your needs, High Country Workplace Technologies can help evaluate your options.
HCWT provides legacy system expertise, cloud migration planning, RingCentral deployment, replacement telephone provisioning, and ongoing communications support.
From seven-user nonprofits to large multi-site enterprises, HCWT helps organizations move forward with confidence.
Contact HCWT to schedule your migration to RingCentral