iXP Conducts Comprehensive Assessment and Develops Recommendations and Business Case for the Syracuse University Communications Center

Sector: Higher Education

Focus: Communications Center Upgrade

Started: 2003

Situation

The Syracuse University Department of Public Safety (SUDPS) provides police and security services to Syracuse University under the direction of the Director of Public Safety. At the time of this project the Communications Center handled approximately 80,000 calls for service annually, managed the visitor traffic for the Department of Public Safety, issued equipment and paperwork, and had oversight of the student shuttle service evening hours.

The SUDPS identified a number of ongoing operational and technology issues with their Communications Center. The Center had evolved as workload and technology changed, creating a number of challenges, from the allocation of physical space in the center to the technology utilized by the Center personnel, to the operational policies and procedures.

Solution

In order to prepare for and meet the increased service requirements for public safety, security monitoring, and communications at the present time and in the future, Syracuse University contracted with iXP Corporation to assess the Communications Center, develop recommendations, and build a business case to resolve these issues.

The project examined Facilities, Technology, Telephony, Radio Communications, and Communications Center Operations:

1. Assessment of the facility as an emergency operations communications center;
2. Assessment of technology, supporting network infrastructure; Hardware platforms, and operating systems; (including development of CAD/RMS functionality matrix to begin the preparation of an RFP to replace the current CAD/RMS system);
3. Assessment of the 7-1-1, administrative, blue light, and other supporting telephone systems;
4. Examination of the radio infrastructure in use as well as an assessment of the Department of Public Safety's equipment and use; and
5. Review of Communications Operations technology and use, audit & evaluation of SOPs, and staffing/workload analysis.

Result

At the conclusion of Phase I, iXP presented a comprehensive report which identified risks and made recommendations in each of the five areas (shown above) examined during the project.

As a result of iXP's services, Syracuse University identified several areas in need of attention, as well as a comprehensive business case to address each area. The detailed planning document provided a path for improvements which allowed the university to prioritize the work and make the improvements as their budget allowed.

Value Delivered. Problem Solved.