// Business Connections // SUMMER 2023 5 WHO’S MINDING YOUR BUSINESS? Kris Merchant, Sales Manager Kris Merchant joined WCVT in 1997 as Help Desk Coordinator. He’s still helping customers with technology challenges today, albeit in an expanded way as Sales Manager. Notes Merchant, “Because of my technology background, my Sales Manager position can sometimes morph into Sales Engineer. I’m always on the lookout for ways our services can be used to create the solution the customer is seeking. I have face-to-face meetings with many of our customers and see how they’re using tech to their advantage. I will often share that information with other customers looking for similar results. I’ve seen what works and what doesn’t, and can help the customer avoid any possible pitfalls.” Despite his extensive experience at WCVT, Merchant continues to learn and reach out to others for help. “I may not personally have all the technical answers that a business needs to meet a particular challenge, but I guarantee I know someone who does. I love connecting customers with those people and hearing how much they appreciate it.” Contact Kris Merchant at 802-4968554 or kmerchant@corp.wcvt.com. Blending Nature and Technology While nature is at the forefront at First Roots – Wild Roots, technology still plays a vital role. WCVT provides fiber internet, Managed Wi-Fi, and Hosted IP Phone Service. Andy Sambrook said, “Because we’re a nature-based program, we don’t use tablets and technology in the classrooms. However, fast and consistent internet service is needed when we do video conferencing with parents and caretakers, and WCVT’s fiber internet makes this possible.” He added, “The new campus-wide Managed Wi-Fi enables teachers to conveniently document and upload videos and photos in real time, both indoors and outdoors, for daily postings to parents. We’re also excited about our new nature center called Little Lodge. Although not connected by the legacy wired infrastructure in other buildings, it has internet access via Managed Wi-Fi and the smart hubs throughout the campus.” What does Andy Sambrook appreciate most about WCVT’s Hosted IP Phone Service? He replied, “Our programs and administration are now centralized across four locations. Hosted IP Phone Service allows us to seamlessly link everything with one main phone number and an auto attendant solution for parents. It’s important that in an emergency, a director can be located immediately by a parent via a supported app, which switches calls to cell phones when the director is away from their desk. The auto attendant also enables parents to leave classroom messages about absences or early pick up that can be forwarded to the teacher’s email, rather than via phone calls in the classroom.” Celebrating 10 Years of Growth Looking back at their 10 years of stewardship of First Roots – Wild Roots, Andrea Sambrook said, “I’m proud of the growth in the collective voice and decision making of our teaching staff over the past decade. As we embraced new visions and goals, our team has grown together to support each other’s strengths and ‘growing edges.’ Teachers of young children model social and emotional learning because it’s the foundation for everything else in the day— and in life. I love that our teachers have a deep understanding of our nature-based philosophy, and through that, bring learning through play to the highest and most rewarding level.” The new campus-wide Managed Wi-Fi enables teachers to conveniently document and upload videos and photos in real time, both indoors and outdoors, for daily postings to parents.” — ANDY SAMBROOK, OWNER, FIRST ROOTS – WILD ROOTS
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