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New Voice Mail System and Long Distance Contract to Save
Westmoreland County More Than $250,000
Posted
06-03-2004
The Westmoreland County Board of Commissioners today announced that new long distance
service and voice mail systems for county telephones will save taxpayers hundreds of
thousands of dollars of the next several years.
"We've been looking at every option to
reduce the county's budget deficit and ensure the maximum value of our tax dollars,"
said Commissioner Tom Balya. "The cost of phone service for the county's 2,000
employees is considerable, and it made sense to re-examine it. The contractual and
technological changes we've enacted will save the county more than a quarter-million
dollars over the next five years."
"Over the years, the need for voice
mail for our employees has grown considerably, and the costs have escalated
accordingly," said Commissioner Tom Ceraso. "But our new voice mail system,
together with a new long distance contract, are resulting in tangible savings that we are
realizing right now."
The county implemented carrier-based voice
mail seven years ago to improve communications with the public. Because of the reduction
in the cost of voice mail technology and the major increase in voice mail accounts, the
county began examining alternatives last year.
To save money on Westmoreland County's 420
voice mail accounts, commissioners brought the system "in-house", meaning it is
now on premise and is being overseen and serviced by county information systems personnel.
With the purchase of only $27,000 in equipment, the county is able to realize a savings
this year. When comparing the costs of operating the new in-house system to the previous
voice mail service provided through Verizon, the county will save $240,000 over the next
five years -- the expected life cycle of the system. The county also has the ability to
add voice mail accounts at no charge, whereas the old system included a monthly cost for
each voice mailbox.
Commissioners also approved a two-year
contract with Penn Telecomm of Cranberry to provide long distance service. Through a
detailed analysis of phone usage, including outbound call charges and inbound toll-free
charges, the county was able to conceive a more detailed request for proposals that drove
down the cost of the contract. The $3,041 monthly cost is $2,000 less than the previous
contract, resulting in a savings of $24,000 over the life of the contract.
For more information on Westmoreland
County, visit the county home page at www.co.westmoreland.pa.us. |
