07-28-11 City to acquire new Internet-based telephone system

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o�so�rae�ro d F u b P IB65 Office of the Mayor NEWS RELEASE July 28,2011 10:15 a.m. City to acquire new Internet-based telephone system Contact: Mikki Dobski, Director of Communications&Special Projects, 235-5855 or 876-1564 Gregg Zientara, City Controller, 235-9216, Keith Crain, Senior Systems Specialist, Department of Information Technology, 245-6000 The City of South Bend will switch from its current phone system for its nearly 1,000 telephones to an Internet-based system,using the Metronet and the City's data network—a more robust telecommunications system at no additional cost over the current package. The Board of Public Works has awarded a contract to Netarx to design a Voice over Internet Protocol system to replace the current phone service at all City facilities. Design work will begin in August with installation in the fall and completion by the end of 2011. The Police Department's 911 Communications Center will remain on the current City-County system. A future upgrade to the 911 system, scheduled for 2013, will be compatible with Voice over Internet Protocol. "The new Internet-based system will provide `unified communications,' integrating voice, e- mail, cell phones and other software applications, greatly expanding features that will improve staff efficiency and public safety," said City Controller Gregg Zientara, who has overseen the project being managed by the City's Information Technology staff. The change will allow for new features, including conference calling, zone paging, caller ID, and portable corporate or personal phone directories. VOIP also will provide a foundation to give the City future capabilities to implement new software that would expand the City's wireless network; measure, control and report facility energy usage; or increase the use of security cameras. The City will pay for hardware upgrades within the cost of its current phone bill with a lease. After five years when the lease is paid off,the City will save an additional amount estimated at$15,000 to $20,000 per month. This upgrade will be installed in all City facilities and will include the Century Center, the South