4/7/09 DMS Recognized with 10 Prudential-Davis Productivity Awards
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE TUESDAY, APRIL 7, 2009
CONTACT: CATHY SCHROEDER, (850) 921-5266
~ Includes Two Notable Cash Awards ~
TALLAHASSEE - Florida Department of Management Services Secretary Linda H. South today announced the agency received 10 Prudential-Davis Productivity Awards this year, including two Notable Cash awards. The program honors public employees whose innovation and productivity help make government more efficient and save taxpayers money. The initiative is chaired by Lt. Governor Jeff Kottkamp and co-sponsored by Florida TaxWatch, The Florida Council of 100 and the State of Florida.
"The Department of Management Services works every day to save state resources while supporting all state agencies as they provide their vital services to the citizens of Florida," said Secretary South. "Our team continues to find innovative and visionary ways to assure we are good stewards of taxpayer money, striving to operate with new and improved efficiencies."
Two awards to DMS staff include Notable Cash of $500 and $200, to the VoIP Telephony Procurement Team and Laura Towne, respectively. The VoIP Telephony Procurement Team developed a State Term Contract for Voice over Internet Equipment & Services, which ultimately saved taxpayers more than $2 million from last fiscal year. Using VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol), the team's approach improved service delivery, offering both purchase and lease alternatives. The contract will save additional money for state agencies and other eligible contract users by consolidating equipment and enhancing services already in place.
"In today's economy with the advanced technology available to us, critical analysis of overlaps and redundancies in services makes solid business sense," said Secretary South. "That analysis is standard operating procedure at the Department of Management Services, as we continuously improve the services we provide."
Towne worked on a project to re-engineer long distance service and lower rates to save DMS customers and taxpayers money. The project, an effort between SUNCOM, the state's telecommunications provider, customers and the state's telecommunications vendors, saved more than $500,000 a month.
The 2009 awards competition attracted 568 nominations for innovations and productivity improvements worth $342 million in cost savings, cost avoidances and increased revenue for state government. Over the past 19 years, award winners have posted a total of $6.3 billion in added value for Florida taxpayers and businesses. The awards are given at formal award ceremonies and luncheons statewide in June.
The Department of Management Services provides services and support in human resource management, retirement benefits, health benefits, real estate management, specialized services, state purchasing and technology for Florida state government. Learn more at www.dms.MyFlorida.com.
Complete Listing of 2009 DMS Davis-Productivity Award Winners:
|
Name |
Nomination |
Award Category |
|---|---|---|
| Customer Service Work Request System Team | Developed Web-Based Customer Service Work Request System | Plaque |
| Laura Towne | Reduced SUNCOM Costs By $525,000+ Per Month | Notable Cash $200 |
| Charles Beall | Improved Customer Ordering Process | Plaque |
| PC, Laptop & Monitor State Contract Procurement Team | Developed State Contract for PCs, Laptops and Monitors | Plaque |
| Fueling Sites Transition Team | Upgraded DOT Fueling Sites | Plaque |
| Furnishings and Institutional Supplies Procurement Team | Improved State Term Contract for Ice Making Machines | Plaque |
| MyFloridaMarketPlace Team | Achieved Functional Retirement of State Purchasing Subsystem (SPURS) | Plaque |
| VoIP Telephony Procurement Team | Developed State Contract for Voice over Internet Equipment & Services | Notable Cash $500 |
| Council on Efficient Government | Design and Implementation of Robust Business Case Process for Outsourcing State Projects | Plaque |
| MyGreenFlorida | Developed and Implemented MyGreenFlorida within MyFloridaMarketPlace | Plaque |