How High Country Workplace Technologies helped a Raleigh financial advisory firm transition through three generations of business telephone technology
Customer: Cunningham Financial
Location: 112 North Person Street, Raleigh, NC 27601
Industry: Financial Services / Wealth Management
Original Telephone 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 a financial advisory firm, dependable communications help maintain the relationships that are central to serving clients.
Cunningham Financial, a family-owned wealth management business in Raleigh, North Carolina, provides financial planning, retirement planning, investment management, and related financial services.
Its relationship with High Country Workplace Technologies began with a need for technical assistance on an aging Nortel Norstar telephone system.
After discovering HCWT through an internet search, Cunningham Financial turned to the company for legacy telephone system expertise.
That initial relationship eventually led to two generations of cloud communications modernization.
Nortel Norstar → Mitel Connect Cloud → RingCentral
Most recently, HCWT migrated Cunningham Financial from the discontinued Mitel Connect Cloud platform to RingCentral, deploying seven user profiles and coordinating the provisioning and shipment of replacement telephones.
The Original Challenge: Supporting a Legacy Nortel Norstar System
Like many established small businesses, Cunningham Financial originally operated a Nortel Norstar key telephone system.
Nortel Norstar systems were widely used by businesses requiring reliable desk telephone communications, shared line appearances, and straightforward call handling.
As the equipment aged and manufacturer support became less accessible, Cunningham Financial needed a technical partner familiar with the platform.
The firm found High Country Workplace Technologies through an internet search for Nortel support.
HCWT's legacy telephone expertise provided a starting point for evaluating the firm's future communications requirements.
Rather than remaining dependent on aging premises-based infrastructure, HCWT recommended a transition to Mitel Connect Cloud.
The First Migration: Nortel Norstar to Mitel Connect Cloud
HCWT recommended Mitel Connect Cloud as a hosted communications alternative to the existing Nortel system.
This transition moved Cunningham Financial from traditional premises-based key system technology to cloud-based business communications.
For a small financial advisory firm, the move represented an opportunity to modernize its communications environment while continuing to work with a partner familiar with its previous telephone system.
However, the hosted communications market continued to evolve.
Mitel Connect Cloud was eventually discontinued, creating the need for another technology transition.
Once again, Cunningham Financial turned to HCWT for assistance.
Moving to RingCentral: A Seven-Profile Deployment
HCWT helped Cunningham Financial migrate from Mitel Connect Cloud to RingCentral.
The new deployment included seven RingCentral user profiles, providing a cloud communications platform sized for the organization's requirements.
Although smaller than a large enterprise migration, the project still required careful coordination of the replacement telephone equipment and service transition.
HCWT managed the deployment process so that the customer did not have to independently provision its new telephones.
Preconfigured RingCentral Telephones Shipped to Raleigh
The Cunningham Financial migration followed HCWT's established remote telephone deployment approach.
1. Telephone Provisioning
HCWT prepared and configured the replacement telephones for the RingCentral environment before shipment.
2. Equipment Shipment
The provisioned telephones were shipped directly to Cunningham Financial's office in Raleigh, North Carolina.
3. Coordinated RingCentral Cutover
Cunningham Financial transitioned from Mitel Connect Cloud to RingCentral using the new telephone equipment.
4. Return of Legacy Mitel Telephones
Following the cutover, the organization returned its previous Mitel telephones.
This approach enabled HCWT to coordinate the deployment without requiring the customer to configure the replacement equipment independently.
It also demonstrates how a communications implementation partner can support organizations across geographic distances.
The Result: A Modern Communications Platform and a Continuing Partnership
Cunningham Financial completed its transition to RingCentral with seven user profiles.
The project replaced the firm's discontinued Mitel Connect Cloud service and included provisioning, shipment, and deployment coordination for its replacement telephone equipment.
The broader success story is the ongoing relationship between Cunningham Financial and HCWT.
The firm originally found HCWT while seeking help with its Nortel Norstar telephone system. HCWT subsequently recommended Mitel Connect Cloud and later helped Cunningham Financial transition to RingCentral.
Through these changes, the customer continued working with the same communications technology partner.
For a financial advisory business that places importance on long-term relationships, the project illustrates the value of having a communications partner familiar with the organization's technology history.
What This Project Demonstrates
Long-Term Customer Relationships
HCWT's relationship with Cunningham Financial began with support for legacy telephone equipment and continued through successive communications technology transitions.
Legacy and Cloud Communications Expertise
HCWT supports organizations transitioning from Nortel, Mitel, Avaya, and other traditional communications platforms to modern cloud solutions.
Cloud-to-Cloud Migration Experience
Moving from Mitel Connect Cloud to RingCentral demonstrates that cloud communications platforms also require migration planning and implementation expertise.
Remote Telephone Provisioning
By configuring replacement telephones before shipment, HCWT helps simplify deployment for customers located outside Colorado.
Professional Deployment for Smaller Organizations
The Cunningham Financial project involved seven RingCentral profiles, demonstrating HCWT's commitment to serving small businesses as well as larger organizations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a financial advisory firm migrate from Mitel Connect Cloud to RingCentral?
Yes. Financial advisory firms and other businesses using the former Mitel Connect Cloud platform can migrate to RingCentral. HCWT completed such a migration for Cunningham Financial in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Does HCWT support small financial services businesses?
Yes. HCWT supports organizations of different sizes. The Cunningham Financial RingCentral migration included seven user profiles.
Can HCWT configure RingCentral telephones before shipping them?
Yes. HCWT can provision RingCentral-compatible telephones before shipment, allowing customers to receive equipment prepared for their deployment.
Can RingCentral replace a Nortel Norstar telephone system?
Yes. RingCentral can replace many legacy Nortel Norstar installations, subject to an assessment of call handling, telephone numbers, devices, analog equipment, and other operational requirements.
Does HCWT provide RingCentral migration services outside Colorado?
Yes. HCWT has supported RingCentral migrations for customers in North Carolina, Kentucky, and Canada, including Cunningham Financial, Harlan Civic Center, and Crouch Neighbourhood Resource Centre.
Planning Your Next Communications Migration?
Whether your organization operates an aging Nortel Norstar system, a legacy Mitel platform, or a discontinued hosted telephone service, High Country Workplace Technologies can help evaluate your next steps.
HCWT provides cloud migration planning, RingCentral implementation, telephone provisioning, equipment shipment, and ongoing communications support.
From small financial advisory firms to large multi-site enterprises, HCWT helps organizations modernize communications with a consistent, professional approach.
Contact HCWT to schedule your migration to RingCentral