Metro installs video conferencing facilities
Metro hopes video conferencing facilities will improve efficiency.
In an effort to improve delivery across a variety of civic services, the metro has embarked on an infrastructure modernisation process.
The initiative sees the installation of video conferencing technology across the metro’s offices, with full live functionality and bridging facilities that have the ability to connect multiple video conferencing systems.
The completion of the first phase of the installation represents a milestone in the vision of the metro to create and maintain a smart and creative developmental city.
The implementation of video conferencing technology also forms part of a greater strategic direction that the municipality is taking in terms of embracing and implementing new technologies for the benefit of its employees and citizens.
The technology will enable quicker decision-making and execution by the metro at executive level.
The project will reportedly benefit citizens of the metro by facilitating greater productivity, cost savings, increased efficiency and, ultimately, faster service delivery; this is according to Khaya Ngema, the metro’s city manager.
The project is set to continue into 2016.
“With the metro’s new video conferencing facility, meetings can be scheduled instantly, face-to-face, for a more personal experience, across various communication platforms,” explained Themba Gadebe, spokesman for the metro.
“Besides traditional video conferencing, other platforms that can be used include devices such as smart phones, tablets, laptops and desktop PCs, thus allowing participants to remotely join the meeting from anywhere.”
Other key benefits of the solution include:
- emergency decision-making in times of crises;
- instant ad-hoc meetings for critical decision-making;
- the ability to include those who previously couldn’t participate due to travel restrictions;
- eliminate the need for note-taking, as meetings can be fully recorded;
- improved use of executive and municipal members’ time;
- video training to remote locations;
- accelerated decision-making;
- reduced carbon footprint.
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