iXP Provides Business Case Assessment for Combining The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Public Safety Dispatching, Security Monitoring, and Facilities.

Sector: Higher Education

Focus: Communications Center Facility and Technology

Started: 2001

Situation

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Campus Police perform their role on campus properties, while the municipal police operate on public streets and non-MIT properties located within the campus proper. One of the principal challenges for the MIT Campus Police is to distinguish themselves by performing their duties independently of the Cambridge Police, yet always be available to assist and cooperate.

The Facilities Operations Center is a mixed use facility which houses fire and life safety monitoring, CCTV, building systems monitoring, and multiple other functions. The logging and recording system and radio system are also located in this building. The University leadership was concerned that the legacy technologies used by Campus Police Dispatch and the Facilities Operations Center were aged and in some cases obsolete, and that the level of integration in operations of the three constituent departments, as well as other stake holder departments, needed enhancement. In the period of heightened concern after September 11, 2001, MIT would not tolerate interruption to its public safety services.

Solution

iXP was engaged to provide a business case assessment of combining the public safety dispatching, security monitoring and facilities. There were four elements of the assessment: operations, technology, facilities, and finance. Using its SAIF® methodology, iXP was able to address the three potential business objectives set by MIT's Campus Police Department, Department of Public Safety and Department of Facilities. The business objectives were:

1. Enhance campus safety and security,
2. Improve efficiency and effectiveness of stake holder departments, and
3. Reduce risk and liability for the Institute.

iXP's engagement with MIT assessed the institution's four separate and incompatible systems and performance requirements for public safety communications and security monitoring. Industry standards were reviewed for compliance. Technology systems and their life cycle expectancy were addressed. Changes in operations to meet the business objectives and finally the cost to meet these objectives were provided to MIT.

Results

MIT has acted upon many of iXP's recommendations to meet all three business objectives. Upgrading of technologies and streamlining of operations enabled MIT to better serve their community by reducing risk and liability for the institute and providing quicker emergency response times for everyone within their community.

Value Delivered. Problem Solved.