Australian Geographic, a retailer with more than 60 outlets across the country, has reduced communications costs by handling sales transactions on an Internet Protocol (IP) network.

The integrated IP network carries voice, point-of-sale transaction data and electronic funds transfer point of sale (Eftpos) banking transactions from all Australian Geographic"s retail outlets to its head office in Sydney.

The solution replaced a combination of PABX telephone, dial-up Internet and dial-up Eftpos connections, which were expensive and difficult to manage. Australian Geographic also uses the network to aggregate transactions into a single link from the head office to the bank.

Dominic MacDonald, IT manager at Australian Geographic, said integrating Eftpos banking traffic has reduced errors and telephony costs.

The retailer has also deployed Cisco"s IP phones across its sites and a Cisco 837 ADSL Broadband Router.

With the basic network in place, Australian Geographic has gradually been expanding its capabilities and the number of applications it operates over the network. For instance, Australian Geographic is delivering its internal phone directory and other basic information services to each Cisco handset.

It recently started streaming security camera footage over the network from one of its stores and future projects under consideration include using the IP handsets for basic human resource functions, such as staff "clocking on and off", and for staff product training.

Managed service provider IP Systems provided ADSL access, a 10Mbps Ethernet connection to the head office and a 2Mpbs fiber optic connection to the warehouse.

IP Systems marketing director Andrew Cox said the retailer has pushed the envelope.

"We"ve been delivering converged voice, video and data to businesses for years but adding Eftpos was a new dimension," he said.