Data and Voice Communications
BACKGROUND:
The U.S. Postal Service relies on data and voice communications to support one of the the world’s largest computing networks and email systems. This communication infrastructure reaches over 35,000 Postal Service facilities from the nation’s capital to the remote locations of Alaska.
With declining mail volume and changing consumer needs, the Postal Service is optimizing facilities, which includes the consolidation of plants and operations. The consolidation efforts affect data and voice communications as data transmissions increase in the gaining facility and decrease in the vacating facility.
Our objective was to determine whether Postal Service facilities have appropriate data and voice communication. In addition, this review served as a follow up to a prior U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General audit, evaluating whether corrective measures taken were successful in providing expected benefits.
WHAT THE OIG FOUND:
The Postal Service provided appropriate data and voice communication for the active and nonactive facilities we reviewed by routinely monitoring and reviewing data and voice services and contracts. In addition, to improve the monitoring of data and voice communication, the Postal Service implemented and enhanced computer applications to provide accurate data and voice inventory and payment processes. Further, information technology projects included reviews of sites to determine whether they were valid and active and data communication was still appropriate, and review and removal of unused voice communication. Finally, the Postal Service projected annual savings of $4 million from efforts to recompete its telephone line contracts and $8.8 million estimated savings from efforts to recompete data services.
Continuously reassessing data and voice communications assets ensures that management is using optimal services and resources.
WHAT THE OIG RECOMMENDED:
Because the Postal Service demonstrated diligence in managing data and voice communications, we are not making any recommendations.