AT&T to Provide H&R Block with Network Integration Services

The company is a leading provider of tax, financial, accounting and business consulting services and products.

Under the terms of the agreements, AT&T is integrating H&R Block's disparate communications networks onto a single Internet Protocol (IP)-based network, carrying voice, video and data. AT&T also designed and implemented - and now manages - H&R Block's state-of-the-art Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) system, which includes an IP-PBX that has 2,200 IP stations. H&R Block chose AT&T because it offers the ability not only to implement the solution but also to train employees and to provide five years of on-site maintenance.

As the prime consultant and integrator, AT&T assessed and segmented the voice requirements of H&R Block's five unique employee user groups. For example, an on-the-go executive with a personal digital assistant device and cell phone requires a solution that offers seamless mobility. In contrast, a solution for seasonal workers must be transferable in order to reduce the time and expense required to set up new users.

"This network integration solution and AT&T's management and maintenance of our VoIP system is a more cost effective networking solution for our business," said Denise Stout, Lead Infrastructure Engineer of H&R Block. "Additionally, AT&T's integrated networking solution gives us the scalability and flexibility we need in order to manage the intense demands on our systems that occur during tax time."

With plug-and-play functionality, H&R Block's new VoIP system simplifies the process of moving, adding or changing employees. This functionality also enables the company to scale up or down without having to engage a telecommunications vendor.

H&R Block's move into its new Kansas City headquarters at Main and E. 13th streets began in early July, and 1,600 employees and contractors completed the relocation in October.

In addition to its work with H&R Block at its new headquarters, AT&T provides a wide range of services, including a fully redundant SONET network and Dedicated Internet access for H&R Block in Kansas City, local voice service to approximately 4,200 H&R Block offices across the United States and Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) access to 900 locations - AT&T.