SAVE Award 2011 Ideas

A number of employees are sent around the globe to attend topic-specific conferences, meetings, etc. I propose we invest in partnering with these major conferences to implement video conferencing, interactive sessions, etc. Many organizations have adopted virtual meetings such as the distance education institutions allowing them to conduct classes with students around the globe. It would greatly save the government... more »

There is no need for any off site conferences. If a facility has the capability for Tele conferencing then use it. The same would apply for training. If both facilities and video conference then use technology to assist the tax payers in saving money

The government could save a substantial amount of money by investing in information systems that promote the use of voice over IP and web conferencing. This would drastically cut the phone bill and also open up the door for other areas of improvement. This same infrastructure could be used for web/video conferencing which would save a bundle on needless travel expenses. In my opinion, travel should be mission critical... more »

Every time a government employee has to travel on official duty we are forced to use SATO or some other agency designated travel service to purchase our mode of travel & lodging. I have in my possession a copy of a travel confirmation in which the airline ticket cost the taxpayers $1881.80. This ticket could have been purchased for approximately $1000.00 less online without going through SATO. When you add up all the... more »

Reduce travel costs by buying videoconferencing equipment for all Coast Guard district offices. Travel cost is about $1,000-$1,500 per trip, per person, and many people travel 10-20 times/year. The typical meeting has about four travelers, so that's $5,000 per meeting, even without additional costs for conference rooms, refreshments or handout materials. The meetings tend to go longer than necessary, because it's hard... more »

USCG Suspension and Revocation hearings for mariner licenses are heard by Administrative Law Judges (ALJs). The USCG could significantly reduce the travel costs and lost time for these officials by allowing hearings to be conducted via video teleconference.

These hearings are administrative in nature and published regulations already allow for these hearings to include telephone testimony, so adjusting to video teleconferencing... more »

sxsw.com - Check it out, every March there is a cool conference in Austin where web 2.0 staff can learn about gov 2.0, and listen to the music festival and watch some cool films.

We do not need to send federal staff to this event. They can learn about web 2.0 or gov 2.0 in other ways - but sending federal employees to these types of events where you learn a bit but really its all about the social media hype and the... more »

Currently, the US EPA, Office of Research and Development, wastes millions of dollars in travel support for meetings and training that could be easily performed using video conferencing technologies. To date, ORD has already saved millions of dollars by using video conference facilities located throughout its campuses at HQ and Research Triangle Park and remote locations.

The problem is that more money could be saved... more »

Use on line video conferencing with VOIP so we can cut out most traveling expense for training/meeting/conference. Using the included VOIP, we can cut all the telephone cost as well. The only thing that is required is the laptop with a microphone&webcam and decent internet connection. Currently, we use Gotowebinar service for my division.

It's simple and has a lot of tangential benefits. Check out and vote for the full idea at:

 

http://saveaward2011.ideascale.com/a/dtd/Pilot-Video-Teleconferences-Eliminate-USCG-ALJ-Travel-for-S---R/279261-10760