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It <br />II <br />ORANGE COUNTY <br />BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br />ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br />Meeting Date: February 17, 1998 <br />Action Agenda <br />Item No. Id /, <br />SUBJECT: Report: Telecommunication at Orange County Offices in Hillsborough <br />DEPARTMENT: Purchasing <br />ATTACHMENT(S): <br />PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/1) <br />BUDGET AMENDMENT: (Y/1) <br />INFORMATION CONTACT: <br />Pam Jones, ext 2650; <br />TELEPHONE NUMBERS: <br />Hillsborough <br />732 -8181 <br />Chapel Hill <br />9684501 <br />Durham <br />688 -7331 <br />Mebane 227 -2031 <br />PUKPOSE: To hear a report from Purchasing Staff on the state of telecommunications in <br />County Offices in Hillsborough. <br />BACKGROUND: In the late 1980's the telephone switch owned by the County had reached <br />capacity and could not be expanded. The system consisted of 48 trunk lines, 342 extensions <br />and two switchboard stations. Orange County began the endeavor of acquiring a system that <br />met present demand, was state of the art technology and had room to grow to meet future <br />demand. In order to make sure the best possible solution was achieved, Orange County hired <br />a consultant to aid in the design, bidding and award processes. <br />With the help of the consultant specifications were developed. During the process the <br />following items were addressed. <br />1. What was the best way to handle the lines that came in from the 4 telephone companies in <br />the County? <br />2. What would be the best way to process incoming calls? <br />3. What specific features were desired by departments? Do departments have "unique" <br />needs that could be addressed in the bidding process? <br />4. Are there ways to save recurring costs? <br />Today, as was the case in 1989, Orange County is served by four different telephone <br />companies. In 1989 calls from Mebane, Chapel Hill and Durham to Hillsborough were long <br />distance. This dilemma had been solved by maintaining trunks from each of the four <br />telephone companies. This ensured that all citizens in Orange County could call the <br />Hillsborough offices "toll free ". Centrex, a technology where no switching equipment is <br />