Merit Logo Merit IconSet
Skip to content

Merit Network Broadens its MeritVoice Managed VoIP Service

Note: This article from Merit's News Archive is over 2 years old. The information contained within it may be out of date, including missing images or broken links.

February 27, 2012

ANN ARBOR – Merit Network, Inc. has reached an agreement with CCI Systems to become a provider of MeritVoice. The successful MeritVoice VoIP (voice over IP) service is now distributed by both TelNet Worldwide and CCI Systems. MeritVoice is a fully hosted and managed VoIP solution that includes valuable features such as voicemail, conference calling, call forwarding, call screening, and much more.

“We are excited to add the expertise and value that CCI Systems can provide our Members,” said Elwood Downing, vice president of member relations, communications and services. “TelNet Worldwide has been a valued partner in providing MeritVoice since its debut several years ago. With both TelNet Worldwide and CCI Systems providing VoIP services, we can provide greater flexibility to our Members.”

TelNet Worldwide and CCI Systems have extensive experience implementing VoIP solutions at organizations across Michigan, and Merit interconnects directly to the voice partners’ networks for enhanced performance.

“CCI is very pleased to provide enhanced cloud services, including voice and engineering solutions, to Merit Network Members,” said Patrick Case, managing director of IP Services at CCI Systems. “Merit truly has the strongest fiber network in the state of Michigan, providing IP based services to governmental and educational organizations in the Upper and Lower Peninsula of Michigan.”

“In concert with Merit’s commitment to its Members, TelNet is proud to continue delivering the benefits of MeritVoice IP voice and unified communications,” said Mark Iannuzzi, president of TelNet Worldwide. “Our long term partnership and our highly consultative process has empowered a solid base of Merit Network Members to take advantage of the latest in IP communication technology.”

MeritVoice offers IP trunking, as well as Hosted PBX. It provides local calling throughout Michigan, long-distance calling worldwide, and full 800 number capability. Merit’s fully-hosted VoIP solution brings telephone service directly to an organization’s network, without any additional equipment. All of the information and functions needed to manage and monitor the phone system can be conveniently accessed from anywhere, using a web browser.

MeritVoice is provisioned over a Member’s MeritFiber connection which eliminates the need for a separate circuit and saves cost. Also, Merit interconnects with the voice providers’ networks, enhancing the performance of MeritVoice.

Organizations currently using MeritVoice include Northern Michigan University, Western Michigan University, Lake Michigan College, Alpena Community College, Jackson County Intermediate School District, Dickinson-Iron Intermediate School District, Muskegon Area Intermediate School District, Detroit Public Library, Detroit Community High School, and others.

“MeritVoice is a complete, converged communications solution,” said Leslie Williamson, director of services at Merit Network. “It provides cost savings to our Members and integrates voice and data over an organization’s network. Merit Network, TelNet Worldwide, and CCI Systems are working together to provide the best VoIP solution possible to our Members.”

For more information about MeritVoice, please email [email protected] or call 734-527-5785.

About Merit Network

Merit Network Inc., is a nonprofit corporation owned and governed by Michigan’s public universities. Merit owns and operates America’s longest-running regional research and education network. In 1966, Michigan’s public universities created Merit as a shared resource to help meet their common need for networking assistance. Since its formation, Merit Network has remained at the forefront of research and education networking expertise and services. Merit provides high-performance networking and IT solutions to Michigan’s public universities, colleges, K-12 organizations, libraries, state government, healthcare, and other non-profit organizations.

For more information: www.merit.edu

About CCI Systems

CCI Systems, founded more than 50 years ago, provides customers with complete, innovative and flexible start-to-finish network solutions including planning, engineering, construction, integration and support. For more information, visit: www.ccisystems.com

About TelNet Worldwide

TelNet Worldwide, Inc. is a leading full-service provider of quality voice and data communications services essential to business. TelNet distinguishes itself delivering unparalleled service, outstanding customer support and a range of IP enhanced voice, data, Internet and unified communications services that provide notable advantages to small, medium and larger enterprise organizations alike. For more information: www.telnetww.com

[meritmediacontact]