Jefferson Township in New Jersey has consolidated all its telecommunications services with Optimum Lightpath, a provider of Ethernet-based communication systems for New York metropolitan area businesses, to reduce costs and management challenges, and to improve overall network performance.
The switch has resulted in more than $25,000 in annual savings, while positioning the Morris County-based township to meet its evolving telecom needs, says a spokesperson.
Jefferson Township, which serves 21,000 residents, saw its telecom network, which included voice service from MetTel and data service from Tellurian Networks, become more expensive and complex to manage while not offering the desired performance. After Police Captain and Director of Communications Eric Wilsusen had positive experiences with Optimum Online in the home and Optimum Business at several remote municipality sites, he turned to Optimum Lightpath to support the needs of the Township's municipal headquarters.
"Police departments and municipalities are becoming extremely tech reliant, so when something goes down, there's a panic," says Wilsusen. "Jefferson Township needed high performance, good value and solid customer support to serve residents and support day to day operations. We found all of this and more in Optimum Lightpath."
Jefferson Township upgraded to Optimum Lightpath's Internet Voice Bundle, which offered a 20 MB connection and 50,000 voice minutes. It was also in need of a new phone system to replace its legacy Avaya setup, and found that Optimum Lightpath's Hosted Voice service could fulfill its needs with no upfront capital outlay and minimal management required for day to day operation. All services came with one low, flat-rate price for easier budgeting and accounting.
"Jefferson Township is like many other municipalities in that we have personnel that fulfill multiple job roles," says Wilsusen. "Management of our phone service was becoming extremely complex and time-consuming, which distracted from other critical work that needed to be done. With Optimum Lightpath, the day-to-day management requirements are gone and we have an experienced, helpful customer support staff when we need it."
Jefferson Township can now make changes to its phone system via a Web-based portal, while reaping improved IT department efficiencies and the ability to better provide emergency telecom services.
"Optimum Lightpath has a proven track record of working with counties, cities, and townships to help them streamline operations, cut costs and do more with technology for a positive overall economic, business and residential impact," explains Julia McGrath, senior vice president of marketing and business development for Optimum Lightpath.