19D - UPDATE FEDT COUNCIL CMT - Laserfiche WebLink

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Update on Finance, Economic Development, and Technology Council Committee Related Items April 5, 2016 Page 4 • Management Recommendations: The plan recommended that an Information Technology (IT) Department be created and that this department have an experienced CTO /CIO reporting directly to the City Manager. The City created a new department and hired a new CTIO as of February 1, 2016. Analysis on consolidating other IT groups from various departments is ongoing. • Infrastructure: Significant progress has been made in providing Wi -Fi access. In addition, the Public Works Agency has been in discussions with several firms regarding creating a public /private partnership to provide citywide broadband access. The IT Department is currently analyzing options for upgrading the phone system and outdated networking equipment, as well as consolidating its data centers. • Hardware: Recently upgraded more than 300 PCs and is in the process of acquiring PC management tools to allow better support and management of the PC inventory. • Enterprise Software: The IT Department has been moving forward on several software upgrades recommended in the strategic plan, including an upgrade of the Lawson financial system and online performance approvals in the Human Resource system, as well as begun selection activities for a Budgeting application and a Public Records Request application. In addition, the Public Works Agency is hiring consultants to develop strategies for Asset Management and GIS applications. • E- Government: IT staff is evaluating tools to replace the technologies currently utilized for the City's Internet and intranet websites. IT is also working with the Finance Department to upgrade the City's utility billing system to allow additional online and mobile customer service and payment capabilities to our utility customers. • Emerging Technologies: The IT Department is evaluating and training staff on cloud - based computing and storage tools. The department is conducting pilots utilizing cloud technologies to evaluate the feasibility of migrating some on -site computing to the cloud. The department is also evaluating utilizing cloud - technology as part of its backup and disaster recovery process. Also, as recommended in the strategic plan, as part of the new tools being examined for the City's Internet website, the IT department is looking into making the site responsive to mobile devices. Finally, the City will soon launch an open data financial portal that will make the City's financial data available to the public. Gigabit Community of the Future The Public Works Agency is exploring the opportunity to form a fiber optic utility partnership with outside organizations in order to execute an initiative entitled Gigabit City /Fiber Optic Network. 1901-4