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DEC; <br />ANALYSIS: <br />BOOK 78 F':GE 5.. <br />with this solution is two -fold. Cost to hire an additional <br />person to handle the telephone traffic at peak times cannot <br />be fully justified. The equipment to accommodate the new <br />position is expensive and not readily available. <br />2. To purchase and install an "Automated Attendant" that <br />will electronically answer all incoming calls and allow the <br />person calling to dial their desired extension without <br />going through the switchboard operator. Statistics from <br />other such installations indicate a minimum of 50% decrease <br />in traffic the switchboard operator is required to handle. <br />Monies have been budgeted in this fiscal year to purchase <br />this equipment. Estimated cost to purchase this equipment <br />is $40,000. <br />It is proposed that the County enter into an agreement with Southern <br />Bell Telephone to furnish the ESSX Telephone System to our outlying <br />facilities and accommodate future growth within the county <br />administration. This will immediately free up approximately fifteen <br />lines on our telephone system which had been dedicated to off <br />premises line (OPX). I am also removing the Credit Union from our <br />system which will make available another six extensions for our use. <br />ESSX is a system that incorporates all the features of a private <br />..;:.telephone system but the equipment is located in Southern Bell's <br />office and they are responsible for all maintenance. It also allows <br />an incoming caller to dial a seven digit number directly to a <br />,particular extension without going through the switchboard. The <br />: ; arrangement customized for the County, in conjunction with our <br />`•"DIMINSION System will also allow access to SUNCOM and inner <br />communications within the present system. <br />Looking long range in with our building program, I feel ESSX is the <br />..most economical way to proceed with telephone communications. We <br />wi11 .not have to invest in a telephone system that will be quiet <br />x.'fexpensive to purchase, nor a costly maintenance contract. We will <br />-':simply continue to purchase telephone desk sets for expansion and <br />Lperform our own internal maintenance as in the ,.past. <br />RIW�.../�; •!��t'P•w rv;J.+cl•�' ^r.lL7 Y'Lh,:'s°.*-e:''�W'�.. ,..W ; ;` '+.•-.: ! nk - ...,.._ .. .. --- <br />r: We will .also have the capability to network all county ' wide s' • <br />`:.telephones (including Sebastian) which will reduce monthly long <br />distance charges and where practical, eliminate the purchase of small : <br />'.telephone systems for each facility. <br />This is the beginning of a County Wide Telephone System Master Plan <br />for our administration which can be expanded to accommodate all <br />future telephone needs. <br />FUNDING: <br />In reviewing the cost associated with implementing this system along <br />with this fiscal year's budget, staff does not anticipate an <br />appreciable increase in cost that would necessitate a budget <br />-amendment. <br />RECOMMENDATIONS: <br />Based on the information submitted, staff recommends the approval of <br />a contract with Southern Bell Telephone for their ESSX Service and <br />:requests authorization for the Board's Chairman to execute the <br />appropriate documents. <br />34 <br />