The Challenge: From Crisis to Opportunity

For organisations supporting vulnerable people, continuity of service is everything. So when a national charity—operating hundreds of supported living properties and outreach services across the UK—had their primary head office phone system taken offline by a lightning strike, the consequences were immediate and potentially devastating.

With their central PBX disabled and teams cut off from one another, they needed a fully functioning communication system deployed urgently—one that could support not just the head office, but their wider national operations.

Rapid Recovery with a Hosted 3CX System

The charity contacted Zen Systems in the midst of the crisis. Within hours, our team had proposed and begun rolling out a fully hosted 3CX phone system, enabling:

• Fast deployment without on-site hardware

• Softphones and mobile apps for instant remote working

• Rapid number redirection and call routing to get teams reconnected quickly

The first priority was to restore functionality for the head office — which Zen Systems delivered quickly, securely, and without disruption to service users.

But that was just the beginning.

Scaling Securely Across the UK

Once the immediate problem was resolved, Zen Systems began working with the organisation to strategically modernise communications across their national network.

The charity operates hundreds of supported living homes, community centres, and outreach properties across the UK — many in remote or digitally under-connected areas. Each one required secure, stable connectivity and integrated communications that connected directly to the central system.

Zen Systems delivered:

• A centrally managed, fully hosted 3CX system

• Remote extensions for staff and properties across the country

• A tailored mix of SoGEA, FTTP, and leased lines to suit each site's needs

• Ongoing support and rollout planning for new buildings as they come online

This centralised setup means staff across the UK — whether in a head office, supported living property, or mobile role — can call, transfer, conference, and collaborate as if they were in the same building.

Results: Simpler, Smarter, More Reliable Communication

What began as an emergency response has turned into a long-term partnership. Zen Systems continues to support the charity with every new property brought online, ensuring each one is connected securely and seamlessly to the wider organisation.

Benefits for the charity include:

✅ A future-proof, cloud-hosted phone system
✅ One central platform for all sites and staff
✅ Reduced telecoms costs and simplified management
✅ No more dependence on on-site PBX hardware
✅ A resilient, scalable setup that can grow with their services

“We’ve worked with Zen Systems for several years now, and they’ve always been responsive, helpful, and forward-thinking. From the initial emergency response to today’s ongoing rollouts, they’ve become a valued and trusted partner.”

Supporting the Support Sector

Organisations in the care and support sector need more than just a phone system — they need communication infrastructure that works anywhere, under pressure, and without fail.

Zen Systems provides:

• 99.99% uptime SLA

• Rapid deployment of remote-ready systems

• All premium features included (mobile apps, call recording, routing, CRM integration)

• Central management for multi-site estates

• A reliable, proactive support team that understands your mission

Let’s Talk

If your organisation supports vulnerable people and needs communication systems that are resilient, flexible, and ready for anything — Zen Systems is here to help.

👉 Get in touch to explore how we support national care and housing organisations just like yours.