Communications and Network Technology for Australian Schools

From bell schedules and emergency alerts to phone systems and secure Wi-Fi, eComms builds a complete technology stack for schools using Mitel, Algo and Fortinet, backed by a Melbourne-based team who understand education environments. 

Talk to an Education Specialist

    A School's Technology Needs Go Well Beyond
    the Front-Office Phone

    A school runs on communications infrastructure most people never think about until something fails. Bell schedules that trigger at the wrong time. A PA announcement that does not reach the hall during a lockdown drill. Guest Wi-Fi on student devices that can reach staff file servers. Office phones that cannot transfer a call between buildings. An intercom at the front gate that staff cannot answer from the classroom. These are not separate problems with separate solutions. They are the same infrastructure problem. 

    eComms builds this as a coordinated stack for Australian schools: Mitel for voice and staff communications, Algo for bells, paging and visual alerts, and Fortinet for secure student and guest Wi-Fi. One team manages all three layers. One team is accountable when something needs attention. 

    Campus Safety Is a Cross-Product Problem, Not a Single-Tool Fix

    Who This Solution Is For

    K-12 Schools and Catholic Education Procurement 

    Primary and secondary schools with ageing analogue bell and PA infrastructure, limited IT staff, and growing compliance requirements around emergency notification and student device management. Catholic Education system procurement managers evaluating technology refresh across multiple campuses. eComms has experience working within structured education procurement frameworks. Contact eComms to discuss documentation and specification requirements. 

    New School Builds and Refurbishments 

    Algo connects to the IP network infrastructure already being installed, which means no separate dedicated audio wiring. eComms works at the specification stage to get the communications design right before cabling is finalised, avoiding costly retrofitting after handover. See Algo IP Public Address Solutions for the hardware range. 

    case study

    EDUCATION | FORTINET UNIFIED SASE | BRISBANE QLD | ~2,000 DEVICES

    Extending the same network security policy to every device, on campus and off

    The Challenge:

    An independent Brisbane school with a one-to-one device program and approximately 2,000 managed devices needed consistent security and duty-of-care protection whether a device was on campus, at home, or at a boarding facility.

    How the Product Solved It:

    Outcome:

    Listen to our happy customers!

    Thousands of Businesses Across Australia Trust eComms to Keep Them Connected

    “When we took on our remote campus, there was a risk it may not have been sustainable. Not only have we been able to keep it operating, we have added new classes. Mitel UC has given us the communications capabilities to support our growth, moving us from multiple platforms to one simple, integrated solution.” 

    Manager, Information Technology, Independent school, Queensland

     Two campuses including remote outback site

    Why Businesses
    Choose eComms

    Answers to common questions about our managed phone systems, connectivity solutions, carrier network, and ongoing support services.

    What technology do schools typically need beyond phone lines?

    A school's communications infrastructure covers four areas beyond standard phone lines: a public address and bell scheduling system for daily announcements and timetabled tones across all buildings; emergency notification capability that can reach every zone simultaneously; an intercom and door entry system for controlled access at reception; and a secure network that separates student and guest devices from staff and administrative systems. eComms covers all four using Algo for paging and bells, Mitel for voice and mass notification, and Fortinet for network security. 

    Emergency notification works across three layers simultaneously. Mitel's mass notification pushes an alert to every phone and softphone on the system at once. Algo's IP PA triggers audio announcements across every zone, including outdoor areas and rooms without a phone. Algo Strobing Lights activate in high-noise environments and for hearing-impaired students. All three are triggered from a single action and the Fortinet network keeps them all running during the event. 

    Yes. Algo IP systems replace analogue bell controllers and PA amplifiers without requiring a full wiring rerun. Algo connects to the school's existing IP network. eComms carries out a site assessment to confirm network readiness and designs the Algo deployment around the building layout and zone requirements. See Algo for Education for the education-specific product detail. 

    Fortinet NAC enforces device-level segmentation, placing student and guest devices on a network segment that cannot reach staff laptops, administration servers, or the phone system and Algo management interfaces. Content filtering appropriate for a school environment is applied to student-facing traffic. The policy is enforced automatically at connection, not dependent on students or guests following manual instructions. See network security solutions for the full Fortinet capability. 

    Yes. eComms has experience working within Catholic Education procurement frameworks and can provide technical documentation, specifications and compliance evidence that structured education procurement requires. Contact the team at contact us to discuss the requirements for your specific procurement context. 

    eComms runs a free site assessment for schools evaluating a communications and network technology upgrade. The assessment covers existing infrastructure, the number of buildings and zones, emergency notification requirements and student device volumes. Melbourne team, national delivery. No obligation. Start at contact us. 

    Considering a Technology Refresh or Specifying a New School Build?

    Email our CX team: sales@ecomms.com.au