SAVE Award 2011 Ideas

The government could save a millions of dollars easily if we facilitated more classroom training via virtual classroom types of instruction. Utilizing video conferencing, we could send students through training classes without leaving their institutions or offices and there will be absolutely no travel expenses. Video conferencing can be either uni-directional or interactive. Imagine sending multiple students through... more »

There are not many government wide video conferencing systems. One is the Tandberg VTC system. The equipment is overpriced, proprietary, and so are the licences. Literally thousands of dollars per unit.

Another services is Defense Connect Online (DCO) which utilitzed web-based adobe connect on the backend. This excellent service is already available to government organizations on multiple networks with NO cost to participants.... more »

I propose that the government green operations and adopt new technology by launching a "Tech for Travel" program that would enable agencies to plan a reduction in air travel and re-purpose those funds to support investments in video conferencing equipment. Presently, agencies are pressured to spend all of their appropriated funds at the risk of a budget cut the next fiscal year (or more bluntly "if you don't use it,... 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 »

Every office should have adequate (relative to the number of employees) and user-friendly video conferencing facilities for conducting training, staff meetings, inter- and intra-agency meetings, and "virtual retreats" and all-employee meetings. There should be policy direction to utilize videoconferencing rather than official travel whenever possible without compromising the agency's mission. The amount of money and... more »