Villadom Times Weekly Newpaper Online-March 23, 2011 Issue

March 23, 2011 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 19 Franklin Lakes Borough to save money on telecommunications by Frank J. McMahon The Franklin Lakes Council recently awarded One Communications a contract for telephone and Internet services that will cut the cost of those services by 50 percent and save the borough approximately $7,000 annually. The borough’s telephone and Internet services will be delivered through a new Primary Rate Interface broadband system. “By going through an innovative competitive pricing process, the borough was able to effect substantial savings,” Borough Administrator Gregory Hart said. “More than ever, it is incumbent upon the borough administration and each of our departments to explore ‘outside the box’ opportunities to reduce costs.” According to Hart, the borough’s Information Systems Steering Committee, which is chaired by resident Peter Sacco and includes members Lynette Sidoti and Meena Sivakumar, assisted the borough in assessing and addressing its technology and related issues. The committee was also charged with exploring potential savings in telecommunications. Alternatives were explored and the competitive proposal processes were developed. “The committee demonstrated that, to maximize savings, it was necessary to both identify new technologies and also to procure them in the most competitive manner using the latest tools available,” Hart explained. The committee determined that either a PRI system using the borough’s existing phone system or a hosted Voice Over IP system would be most cost effective while meeting the borough’s needs. Specifications were developed and distributed to over 15 vendors, who were invited to submit proposals on the scope of work and revise their proposals dynamically in a reverse online auction. The borough then used an innovative e-procurement process known as TelcoSource to solicit proposals for this service which enables any business purchaser of telecom services or equipment to streamline the procurement process by managing the distribution of requests for proposals and the collection of proposals through a competitive Web-based platform. “Upon review of the proposals, it was determined that the PRI system from One Communications was the most cost effective,” Hart said. James Martino is the managing director of TelecomMarketplace.net, the provider of TelcoSource, and he is a member of the borough’s Information Systems Steering Committee, which was able to use TelcoSource free of charge. “TelcoSource was designed to simplify and streamline the purchasing of these unique products which results in significant savings of time and money,” Martino explained. Hart advised that the committee was created to help the borough reduce costs and improve services through the use of technology and telecommunications. He said it is an ongoing committee that meets on an as-needed basis. ‘Gems of the Dance’ (continued from page 13) and president of Devon Fine Jewelry. “Creativity is a vital and wonderful resource in our world.” “We’re pleased and proud to be working with Devon Fine Jewelry on this project,” said Diana Dana, founder and director of the Wyckoff School of Dance. “It’s wonderful to bring these two creative fields together to help change people’s lives for the better. Proceeds from this event will benefit the Devon Foundation, which is dedicated to training the people of the developing world in the gem-cutting arts. Cut gems are often worth 10 times or more the value of rough material, and Madagascar is home to one of the leading gem educational institutes in all of Asia. Scholarships of just $500 have already transformed students’ lives. 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