In December 2009 Contacta was approached by Chris Edwards (Signage & Retail Operations Manager), Phil Swain (Project Manager, Crown Offices) and Phil Bigland (Royal Mail Contracts), to provide Audio Frequency Induction Loop Systems (AFILS) and associated systems for all 368 Crown Post Offices throughout the UK.

The twelve week, one off project, involved surveying, upgrading and reviewing all ongoing maintenance work, plus the provision of equipment for the 'Business As Usual' programme across the Royal Mail Group estate.

Contacta's subsequent tender addressed overall cost, timely delivery and equipment quality. The RNID current best practice was also included to increase Post Office sales and enhance customer experience in the process.

As part of the proposal, Contacta visited a number of sites to gain an accurate cross section of existing onsite equipment, the general state of repair and work required to bring it up to specification, whilst carefully assessing customer expectations.

The biggest challenge was the large number of sites to be visited in the short timescale. Contacta demonstrated this was achievable using its own experienced engineeers based across the UK, without the need to sub contract or dilute services to existing customers.

Our proposal demonstrated a thorough understanding of the client's needs and our competitive tender resulted in a contract with a roll out project beginning on 5th January 2010.

All work was carefully planned and carried out during normal working hours to keep disruption to staff and customers to a minimum. The project was successfully completed by the required date of 31st March 2010.

Our engineers were tasked to:

• Survey each branch with regards to existence, location and operating condition of existing AFILS and Counter Intercom Systems
• Install new AFILS if they were not present in line with specification
• Repair AFILS where they were present but not operational if possible
• Replace AFILS where they were present but not operational and could not be repaired
• Test and log the operating condition of existing Counter Intercom Systems
• Contacta is now in the second phase of the contract with regard to the provision and maintenance of the Royal Mail Group's estate and the Business As Usual Programme.

Contacta and The Post Office meet every 6 months to discuss ongoing delivery of this maintenance contract, review KPI's and monitor budgets accordingly.

Contacta's equipment is now specified for all new build, relocation and refurbishment projects across the Royal Mail Group's estate.