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Committee accepts $298,075 phone system
(by Sue Reid - November 30, 2011)
Committee accepts $298,075 phone system
By SUE REID
City Council's finance committee approved a motion last week accepting the bid for citywide telephone systems at a cost of approximately $300,000.
The bid of MCPc for $298,075 was accepted based on the recommendation from Information Technology Director Patricia Dawson, along with a selection committee. Ms. Dawson presented to the committee a proposal by MCPc for the installation of a Cisco IP (Internet Protocol) telephone system. In addition to the Cisco system, it is also necessary to upgrade some of the city's older network switches, she said.
The replacement of the city's approximately 300 telephones and voice-mail systems, which are 10 years old, is necessary due to various problems such as dropped calls and voice mail issues.
Also, the current phone systems do not have the full set of features available on newer systems, such as unified messaging where the phones can be tied to cellphones, emails and faxes. She noted that she would not be looking to replace the phones if they were working properly.
Ms. Dawson said the pricing from MCPc is not the cheapest, but the system is one that she is comfortable with and prefers its architecture, she said.
Ms. Dawson also noted for the committee that the city's 911 system is not IP compatible. The new system will have to be modified to work with it, she said.
"Any system we looked at had to be modified," Ms. Dawson said.
Ms. Dawson also noted for the committee that, although the phone systems were budgeted for this year, they will most likely be installed in 2012 because there is work left to do. That includes an in-depth interview with all of the department heads as to what phones they want from the selection available. Also, there will be installation and training that goes along with it that takes six to eight weeks.
This recommendation from the finance committee is to be before City Council Dec. 5.
Councilman William I. Russo said it is important to have these phones replaced due to the issues, such as dropped calls, that are occurring with the current system.
Ms. Dawson, who began her role as IT director in October, 2010, said the phones were one of the areas assigned for her to review and look into replacing or correcting. "The system has to be replaced," she said.
"We have a digital system now," Ms. Dawson continued. "The features are good but it's antiquated. It does not have the ability to move toward video or collaboration with the phone sets we currently have." That is one of the features of the IP system the city will be changing to. It facilitates such things as video.
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