Baton Rouge City-Parish Launches Unified Communications Telecommunication Upgrade

Press release from the City of Baton Rouge:

November 2, 2020

BATON ROUGE, La. — November 2, 2020 — Mayor- President Sharon Weston Broome announced Monday the launch of Phase One of the City-Parish Unified Communications Telecommunication System Upgrade.

System upgrades will replace the existing 42 individual communication systems within city-parish offices. In addition to unifying the city-parish systems, the technology upgrades will replace obsolete technology; decrease system maintenance costs; increase end user and call traffic capacity; and decrease mobile and long-distance calling costs.

The City-Parish is expected to save $1.5 million over five years by reducing the annual operation costs of the existing telecommunication infrastructure — representing a 315.09% return on investment for taxpayers.

“The Unified Communications Telecommunication System Upgrade is the continuation of our effort to transform the City-Parish government into one that prioritizes technology, digital innovation, service and transparency,” said Mayor Broome. “Our new telecommunication system will open the lines of communication between City-Parish departments and the people they serve.”

The upgrades will be completed in two phases throughout 2021; Phase One includes telecommunication upgrades for the following agencies:

• Information Services
• Planning Commission
• Department of Development
• Finance Service Fees
• Building & Grounds
• Business Operations
• Workforce Development
• Department of Maintenance
• Transportation & Drainage
• Parish Attorney’s Office
• Mayor’s Office
• Community Development
• Metro Council
• Public Information
• Purchasing
• Finance
• Fleet Management
• Environmental Services

This press release was produced by the City of Baton Rouge. The views expressed here are the author’s own.