Customer Success Story: Valley Christian School in Spokane
Empowering Education Through Modern Communication
Customer: Valley Christian School
Industry: Education
Location: Spokane Valley, Washington
Services: Hosted Voice
Customer Since: 2021
Overview
Valley Christian School is a dynamic and growing educational institution committed to serving students and families with excellence. As the school expanded, so did its need for a modern, reliable communication system. When their outdated phone system began to hinder daily operations, they turned to Intermax Networks for a solution and found a partner that delivered far more than just technology.
The Challenge
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the educational landscape changed dramatically. Educators quickly pivoted to remote and hybrid learning models, revealing significant gaps in access to technology and digital literacy. Parents and caregivers became more engaged in the day-to-day learning process, and schools needed to improve communication and collaboration with families. Thane Gromlich, Director of Finance and Operations, knew that the school’s legacy phone system was no longer meeting the needs of its staff or community. It was unreliable and lacked the flexibility and scalability required to support a growing school environment.
“We approached Intermax with a challenge: our phone system was outdated, inefficient, and no longer meeting the demands of our growing school community,”
Some problems that might arise for growing schools using an outdated phone system include concerns around compliance with safety regulations like NG911, Kari’s Law, and the Ray Baum Act. Legacy systems may not provide accurate location data or direct 911 access, both of which are critical in an emergency. Another possible issue is unplanned downtime, which can disrupt communication between classrooms, front offices, and parents at the worst possible moments.
As a school expands, scalability can also become a challenge; older systems often require expensive hardware upgrades or complicated rewiring to support new buildings or additional staff. There may also be unexpected or high costs, including long-distance fees or ongoing maintenance charges. Additionally, schools could face limitations in mobility and flexibility, for example, not being able to support staff who work remotely or travel between campuses.
Finally, inefficient call routing and a lack of reporting tools can make it difficult for administrators to monitor call volume, access call logs, or ensure consistent service. While these issues may not affect every school, they’re common concerns for educational institutions that are growing and require a reliable, modern communication system.
The Solution
Intermax suggested Hosted Voice (VoIP) services and a unique paging system as a future-proof solution that empowers administrators, teachers, and students to communicate seamlessly in today’s fast-paced environment. Intermax Hosted Voice includes critical features, designed with education in mind, such as NG911 compliance, ensuring first responders receive precise location details in case of emergencies. It also supports mobile access for remote learning and enables reliable connectivity across multiple campuses. The transition was seamless, and the benefits were immediate.
“They brought forward a creative, cost-effective solution that modernized our communication systems without disrupting daily operations. This system improved our ability to communicate with our customers and allowed us to streamline calling.”
Service & Support
What stood out most to Valley Christian School was Intermax’s exceptional customer service. Unlike other providers who simply ship equipment with instructions, Intermax took a hands-on approach. A dedicated installation team came on-site to guide Thane’s team through setup and provide in-person training, ensuring everyone feels confident using the system from day one.
"Their customer service was excellent. Intermax was responsive, professional, and incredibly easy to work with. They took the time to explain options clearly, answered our questions thoroughly, and followed through to ensure the project’s success."
Results
With Intermax’s Hosted Voice (VoIP) system in place, Valley Christian School now enjoys seamless communication on a future-ready platform that supports staff, students, and families more effectively than ever before.
“Thanks to Intermax, we now have a reliable, modern phone system that supports our staff, students, and families far better than before. We’re grateful for their partnership and highly recommend their team to any organization looking for innovative technology solutions backed by outstanding service.”
Conclusion
Valley Christian School’s journey with Intermax is a testament to the power of thoughtful technology solutions and dedicated customer service. By replacing a legacy copper phone system with a modern Hosted Voice platform, the school not only improved its day-to-day operations but also strengthened its ability to serve its community. Intermax’s commitment to understanding their customer’s needs and delivering excellence has made them a trusted partner in education and a clear choice for organizations seeking reliable communication solutions.
Find Connection with Intermax
Locally owned and operated since 2001, we’re proud to offer high-speed wireless internet, fiber, voice services, and more to thousands of residential and commercial customers.
Headquartered in Coeur d’Alene with offices in Spokane, Seattle, Sandpoint, and St. Maries, Intermax is the local’s choice for reliable service in hard-to-reach places.
Our friendly support team is here to answer any questions you may have. Visit Intermax, or call us at (208) 568-7979, today!
