Small new win. The kind I like because it ties in the legal system. <G>
See bold below:
11/2/98 Bus. Wire 09:17:00
Business Wire
Copyright (c) 1998, Business Wire
Monday, November 2, 1998
New Video Arraignment Solution Increases Security and Lowers Costs for 18th
Judicial Circuit Court of Florida
SANFORD, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 2, 1998--The 18th Judicial Circuit Court in Sanford Monday announced the installation of a new video-conferencing system that will be used to conduct video arraignments.
The system will decrease the transportation costs associated with
arraignments and decrease the risk of inmates escaping during the process. The
new system was designed and installed by the Orlando, Fla., office of Advanced
Technology Solutions of Roswell, Ga.
Courthouse security is becoming more of a concern as the number of prisoners
requiring hearings increases in Seminole County. "We typically have 30 to 40
individuals arrested daily," said Horace McMorrow, deputy court administrator.
"These individuals have the right to be seen by a judge within 24 hours of
arrest."
The systems will be used to conduct hearings for both first-time and repeat
offenders from the county courthouse without having to travel the several miles
to the John E. Polk Corrections Facility (jail) or the Juvenile Justice Center.
This system will also reduce the need to transport prisoners from the jail or
juvenile facility to the courthouse, reducing costs and improving security over
inmates.
Funding for the $250,000 system was provided in part by a grant under the
Edward Byrne Memorial State and Local Assistance Program. The Byrne Grant is a
federal anti-drug-abuse grant intended to improve the efficiency of the courts.
The system is expected to return the county's investment in less than three
years.
State-of-the-Art System
The system installed uses the latest networking technology to overcome
performance and installation costs associated with past video-conferencing
solutions. These older systems typically delivered video using closed-circuit
television, which requires installation of miles of expensive, special-purpose
cable.
The Advanced Technology Solutions design for the 18th Judicial Circuit Court
delivers television and stereo-quality audio over the existing computer
network. This solution introduces multiple technologies from premier
manufacturers to improve the efficiency of the judicial process.
A key component of the system is the network equipment, which is provided by
Xylan Corp., Calabasas, Calif. Xylan's OmniSwitch uses asynchronous transfer
mode (ATM) technology to transport the video and audio signals.
The use of the ATM network gives the county the capability to conduct video
proceedings as well as broadcast real-time transcripts of those proceedings on
any of its networked sites without any new cabling or networking equipment. The system has the potential to allow witnesses to appear electronically.
"There is a large potential savings in witness costs," McMorrow said.
"This is an extremely visible project. Many courts are looking at introducing
video technology. ATM's scalable technology, which recently became affordable,
makes this project possible. It is an extremely exciting project that has the
potential to really change the way justice is delivered."
Advanced Technology Solutions is an integrator of computer networks and has
managed and installed the equipment used in this project. ATS also teamed with
Encore Pro Video, Winter Springs, Fla., which provided the audio/video
expertise.
CONTACT: Advanced Technology Systems Jean Bevil, 770/475-
6838 or 18th Judicial Circuit
Court Horace McMorrow, 407/323-4330, ext. 4252 09:03 EST
NOVEMBER 2, 1998
---- INDEX REFERENCES ----
NEWS SUBJECT: Business Wire; Press Release Wires; New Products & Services
(BW PREL PDT)
Word Count: 481
11/2/98 BWIRE 09:17:00
END OF DOCUMENT |
