Stewart’s Partners with Gracecom to Improve their Telephone Systems

ALBANY, N.Y. - Sept. 18, 2014 - PRLog -- Gracecom Communications, a multiregional telecommunications company founded in 1983, has recently installed a new fiber-connected phone system for Stewart’s Shops Corporation. Over 500 phones are linked between Stewart’s Corporate Headquarters, Distribution and Manufacturing Facility and Credit Union through one hybrid/IP system using high-speed fiber-optic lines.

The new phone system supports Stewart’s growing mobile workforce by keeping employees better connected with colleagues, customers and vendors. “Many people are using mobile extension - forwarding the call from their desk system to their cell phone,” says Lou Bush, IT Manager for Stewart’s Shops, “it keeps the team informed and ready to respond quickly, wherever they are,” he adds.

In addition to a new hybrid phone system, Gracecom replaced Stewart’s beeper system with an automated call system using Interactive Voice Response technology. The new call system, currently being tested in select Stewart’s Shops, allows automated scheduling and call mapping to connect mobile technicians with other employees for service calls. The system finds the right technician based on the store location, and if they are unreachable, can escalate the request to another technician, allowing service calls to be handled quickly and easily.

Gracecom Communications provides a personalized customer service experience, establishing long-term relationships with their customers. This was an important factor for Stewart’s when evaluating partners, explains Lou Bush. “It was important to have a local company. We’re buying a national-level system, but it’s being maintained and sold by a company we felt was the right size, with the capabilities and expertise to provide support.” Kevin Grace, CEO of Gracecom, adds “We want to make sure that our partners are successful - that it’s a win-win for both companies. It’s a pleasure to work with a company like Stewart’s that understands the value of those business partnerships.”

About Gracecom Communications
Gracecom Communications is family first, partnership-focused telecommunications company specializing in communications solutions for businesses and organizations. As a leader in the Capital Region business community for over 30 years, Gracecom is dedicated to giving back to the community through charitable activities. For more information, visit www.gracegroup.com.

About Stewart’s Shops
Founded in 1945, Stewart's Shops is an employee and family-owned convenience store chain based in Saratoga Springs, NY. Stewart's is known for offering milk, ice cream, coffee, food to go, gasoline, and other convenience items. Today there are 330 Stewart's Shops located in more than 30 counties across upstate New York and southern Vermont. For more information, visit www.stewartsshops.com.