Peabody Energy is the world’s largest private-sector coal company and a global leader in sustainable mining and clean coal solutions. The company serves metallurgical and thermal coal customers in nearly 25 countries on six continents.

They re-entered the Australian market after acquiring five coal mines in the Bowen Basin in central Queensland. Communications at these mines was so poor that it was nearly impossible to get anything done in an efficient manner. Most sites had about 80 users sharing a single 128Kbps ISDN or 256Kbps satellite connection for all data services. The record was that it once took 10 hours to download a 1.5mb email. Terminal services were so slow they were essentially unusable.

According to David Coleman - Manager Information Systems at Peabody Coal, Vocus' competitive price was a vital part of the decision-making process. But service was also incredibly important.

“Vocus could meet our quality and SLA requirements. We wanted a fully-managed network and integrated IP Phone solution across our whole organisation, not just someone who would pass through data connections from a wholesale provider at cost plus.”

What was the outcome?

There was a massive improvement in network speed and communications made an immediate and positive effect on the business. “We deployed CallStation software at each site so our receptionist can transfer calls to other sites, knowing that the person is at their desk, and available. The web admin tool for the phone system seems to work happily too. It is very effective and easy to use and Vocus gives us independence for future moves and changes,” says Coleman.

Collaboration across teams has improved dramatically and better safety systems have been deployed. Telecommunications costs have been reduced, especially for employees who travel. Coleman explains. “We are owned by a US company and we have people who travel widely. Now they don’t have to make international phone calls to check their voicemail. It just shows up in their email inbox.”