In his annual report, Roberts recently touted the courts’ money saving through technology use — an example other government departments would do well to pay attention to in the future.

Writes Justice Roberts: “We have increased efficiency through the use of information technology, which accounted for 5 percent of the Judiciary’s 2004 budget. The courts now routinely use computers to maintain court dockets, manage finances, and administer employee compensation and benefits programs.”

The Judiciary has achieved significant savings through more cost-effective approaches in deploying those systems, he wrote.

For example, the courts found they can employ new technology along with improvements in their national data communications network to consolidate local servers and other information technology infrastructure. The Judiciary’s consolidation of its jury management program resulted in a savings of $2 million in the first year and an expected annual savings of $4.8 million through 2012, the report stated.

A similar consolidation of the probation case management system is projected to save $2.6 million over the same period.

To see a copy of the courts annual report, visit here.

That means not only cutting costs by reducing staff and putting off projects, it means making company operations more efficient and cost-effective by using technology.

Say what? You heard it right: Expect budget cutting and more important projects — that you may not have the staff or other resources to pull off.

These could be challenging times for the typical CIO, if you listen to what’s coming out of Gartner’s current symposium and IT Expo in Orlando, FL.

According to reports from the conference, the No. 1 item on Gartner’s list of what IT execs have to prepare for was the worst of all, from a manager’s standpoint: hiring freezes and possible layoffs.

One of Gartner’s key recommendations is to virtualize systems, which isn’t exactly a new idea, but one that the high tech consultants are now emphasizing as a key cost cutting strategy.

“The next big thing in IT is not a technology — it is cost reduction, risk management and compliance,” said Peter Sondergaard, Gartner’s global head of research at the conference.

Advantages: It’s low-cost and simple to set up.

Companies get a professional image and lots of calling features that can help the business grow without additional manpower.

The downside? Choosing from among a dizzying array of features and picking a provider.

Picking a provider and system

There are currently five major virtual PBX providers crowding the marketplace. Each offers something a little different, but most look to make small businesses look much bigger with the use of certain VOIP functions.

The big players: GotVMail, Packet8, RingCentral, Vocalocity and VoiceNation.

Search for a good basic rate plan and take a close look at the number of minutes you get – along with what you’ll be charged if you go over your allotment (shades of the cell phone overage nightmares.)

The bottom line is that a virtual PBX system should relieve your company of the call management burden and limit stress, while it adds features.

And most can host teleconferences, a bonus if you’ve got remote users.