Issue - meetings

The Cabinet gave consideration to a report of the Chief Technology Officer, Unity Partnership which sought approval to modernise the Council’s Telephony system.

Oldham Council currently maintained a traditional, fixed desk telephony system provide by Mitel.  Since 2004 this system had grown and adapted and now required significant investment to bring it in line with the current standards and the council’s needs. The system did not cater for remote working and lacked many modern features.

If left, the current provision will become less reliable and pose cyber security risks for Oldham Council.

Additionally, staff had access to systems with overlapping features.

Option alternatives considered

Option1 - Do nothing.

This option would see Oldham Council retain the outdated telephone system resulting in reliability and cyber security issues.  This would be a strategic barrier.

Annual charges for mobile phones and fixed desk telephony remain the same.

Option 2 - Upgrade the current system.

This option would upgrade the current system, bringing it up to date with modern components, including those needed for Agile working.  This would cost a projected £1.9m over 5 years and is not a good strategic fit.

Option 3  - Migrate to Cloud telephony system.

Allocate £1.6m from the current ICT Capital Programme to fund moving to a modern cloud-based Telephony system.  This option was a strategic enabler, improved service availability and resilience and reduced cyber security risks. 

RESOLVED – That the allocation of £1.6m form the current ICT Capital Porgramme be agreed to fund moving to a cloud based telephony system.