Vertical Streamlines CSET’s Communications

Community Services Employment Training (CSET)

Background

Community Services Employment Training (CSET) is a non-profit established to fight poverty with 100 users and 15 locations. They provide a wide-variety of services to the community, including services from job hunt and resume support, to weatherizing homes, to addressing homelessness, and much more. CSET’s communications are a critical tool to their mission, allowing them to quickly and easily communicate with community members in need. When CSET began investigating a new communications solution, they sought out a company that would act as a dedicated partner. They also required that the system be easy to use, highly cost-effective, and secure. Through an RFP search they selected Vertical to install the 8×8 X Series.

Communications Partners

CSET wanted more than a communications vendor: they required a true communications partner. Vertical fulfilled this role from day one, assigning a dedicated Account Executive, Solutions Engineer and a Project Manager to CSET. They carefully architected the system to CSET’s unique needs. And before launching, they worked with CSET for in-depth training for deployment, phone implementation, and eventually individual users. “Working with Vertical felt like a true partnership,” said Jeff Forbes, Director of Communications and Information Systems at CSET. “Vertical wants to see us succeed and does everything they can to help along the way.” This is a part of Vertical’s methodology. They deliver award–winning service and support to help their customers get the most out of their communications solution. 

“The transition to 8×8 was headache-free. Looking back it’s easy to see how critical Vertical was to our success when our team moved to a remote strategy. The 8×8 X Series  and Vertical’s implementation helped us get where we are today, providing critical tools to continue to help our community as its members navigate the pandemic.”

Jeff Forbes, Director of Communication and Information Systems, CSET

Simple Solution Leads to Cost Savings

Ease-of-use was at the top of CSET’s requirements. The 8×8 X Series, implemented by Vertical, was the ideal solution and led to a monthly savings of nearly $5K in communications costs. The Unified Cloud Communications platform ensures that CSET’s users can access all of their communications tools from within one platform. The consolidated system contributed to CSET’s cost savings and also meant that users only had to train on one system and could pick it up without difficulty. 

The solution also needed to be easily managed by CSET. The 8×8 X Series allows managers to quickly change licenses and descriptions, and forward lines to different ring groups. Managers can review call analytics and build reports to gain a full view of user activity. Ease of use and management helped CSET move to a remote strategy over night when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, ensuring they could continue to aid their community during unprecedented difficult times.

Secure & Efficient Communications

CSET is trusted with highly privatized information when helping members of their community. The 8×8 X Series is the most secure cloud communications solution available, maintaining dozens of regulatory security certifications, which helps to protect CSET’s sensitive data. CSET also opted to use the E-Fax feature. The digital faxes ensure that private information stays in protected spaces.