Strategic Choices for 5-digit Dialing at Harborview

Transcription

1 Strategic Choices for 5-digit Dialing at Harborview Capital Improvement Council February 27, 2006 D. Scott Mah Assistant Vice President, C&C Service Delivery & Support Computing & Communications Current Dialing Plan Challenges HMC only supports 4-digit extensions; limits to approximately 7,000 usable numbers. HMC does not currently own the entire prefix for future use shared with public. HMC anticipates growth to accommodate Inpatient Expansion and Ninth & Jefferson Voice mail upgrade requires five digit dialing. 1

2 Proposed Solution Introduce new dedicated HMC prefix as part of 5-digit extension transition. Users dial 4 + existing 4-digit extension internally. Publish XXXX numbers forward going whenever possible. Existing remains operational as well to ensure external callers reach desired destination. Develop a plan to retire over time to be determined based on business needs. Leverage UW s prefix for growth. Proposed Benefits Adopt overall 5-digit dialing plan to provide uniform dialing within HMC, UW Medicine, and UW. Reduces user confusion when calling other locations within various UW Medicine/UW service locations. Increases efficiency of calling and call transfers among related groups who may be served by different switching systems. 2

3 Proposed Benefits Seamless operation of users across switching platforms with 5-digit dialing. Leverage C&C solutions for mobility including IP telephony, wireless voice, extension-to-cellular especially technologies that use the data network. Transition can accommodate business needs to minimize adverse impacts of changing telephone numbers by using C&C best practices and technology. Why not change UW s 221 prefix? UW prefix in-service since 1997, entire prefix dedicated to UW, not shared with others. HMC doesn t own all of 731, it s shared with community. HMC needs to make internal change to accommodate 5-digit dialing; leverage opportunity for change. Transition options available to minimize impact on patients calling 731 numbers. 3

4 Financial Cost of Change UW acquired in 2004 as strategic investment for potential HMC 5-digit plan. $1500/month, $10,000/install WAIVED HMC pays 15 cents per month for each working 731 number (7000=$1,050/month). HMC pays a premium for its current Qwest trunks ($900 each vs. $600 for UW $1800). Leverage moves to new buildings to offset publishing costs for new numbers. Next Steps Decision to adopt proposed strategic 5-digit dialing approach for Harborview. Complete detailed design with technical teams. Develop an implementation, transition, and communications plan. 4

5 Background Information UW Medicine 5-digit Dialing UW Medicine Communications Technology Committee February 15, 2006 D. Scott Mah Assistant Vice President for C&C Service Delivery & Support Computing & Communications 5

6 Current Dialing Plan Challenges Different internal dialing plans in use at Harborview, UW Medical Center, and UW (including School of Medicine, UW Medicine Neighborhood Clinics, and Health Sciences) HMC only supports 4-digit extensions; limits to approximately 7,000 usable numbers. HMC does not currently own the entire prefix for future use. Opportunities HMC needs to migrate to 5-digit extension dialing sometime this year. Seamless operation of users across switching platforms with 5-digit dialing. Leverage C&C solutions for mobility including IP telephony, wireless voice, extension-to-cellular especially technologies that use the data network. Less costly trunks and telephone numbers. 6

7 Proposed Solution Introduce new dedicated HMC prefix as part of 5-digit extension transition. Users dial 4 + existing 4-digit extension internally. Publish XXXX numbers forward going whenever possible. Existing remains operational as well to ensure external callers reach desired destination. Develop a plan to retire over time to be determined based on business needs. Proposed Solution (cont.) HMC has exclusive use of (10,000 numbers) and it is not shared with other public customers. Support future UW Medicine number growth using existing C&C numbering resources (such as and prefixes). UWMC and HMC adopt comprehensive UW dialing plan. 7

8 Proposed Solution (cont.) Five Digit Dialing Plan: 0-XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Various 7-XXXX XXXX Long Distance 4-XXXX XXXX XXXX (UW residence halls only) Proposed Benefits Adopt overall 5-digit dialing plan to provide uniform dialing within UW Medicine and UW. Reduces user confusion when calling other locations within various UW Medicine/UW service locations. Increases efficiency of calling and call transfers among related groups who may be served by different switching systems. 8

9 Proposed Benefits Provides flexibility for using existing C&C numbering resources for growth (without sharing prefix with other public customers). Provides more seamless mobility between service locations users keep their phone number when they move. Potential cost savings for Qwest trunks and numbering facilities. Proposed Benefits Existing switching systems and operational support staff remain in place and support the same dialing plan. More robust disaster recovery and backup solutions for UW Medicine telephone numbers. 9

10 Timing is Key Decision regarding strategic direction impacts short-term projects underway. Nothing has to change over night to be successful, but key choices must be made to achieve incremental progress toward a common goal. Opportunities to reduce future operating expenses and fulfill contract obligations. Next Steps Engage leadership in conversation about the value and cost effectiveness to UW Medicine by adopting a uniform 5-digit dialing plan. Complete detailed design roadmap with technical teams. Develop an implementation, transition, and communications plan. 10