Agenda - Council - 03/12/2002 - Laserfiche WebLink

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-256- We recommend that Rarnsey further investigate and budget for the implementation of an electronic document scanrfing, storage and retrieval system. Tkis will enkance the City's disaster recove~ capability, as well as providing more efficient access to relevant documents by City employees. Financial Systems / Enhanced Reporting Capabilities We recommend that the City further investigate alternative approaches to f'mancial reporting, to accommodate the various reporting needs of different users of the City's financial data. These approaches could include the expanded use of ad hoc reporting tools as welt as collaborating with various City deparmaents as well as the council to develop the reports each constituency feels are necessary to best perform their function. .Internal Systems We recommend that the City standardize ks computer networks on a slngle platform, rather than maintaiNng two network operating, sTstems. Because of the extemaI integration requirements of the Police Department, as well overall support issues, we recommend th. at the City standardize on Windows NT or Windows 2000 across all depamments. This standardization will reduce network support requirements and facilitate better systems integation among the depamments. We recommend the City encourage the fuller use of its goupware and calendaring software, possibly through user training and management encouragement. We recommend that the City investigate the creation of an Intranet as a tod to facilitate information and knowledge shari_ng across City departments. This objective will also be aided by standardizLng all departments on a common network operating system. We recommend that the City upgrade the connectivity among ali ks facilities to provide dedicated access to.City network resources from all 10cadons,:induding Fire and ?olice. Opdons include a private wide area network, or a Virtual Private Network (X/TN) over DSL, for example. Desktop Systems Planning We recommend Ramsey develop a formal plan for the acquisition, rotadon and disposition of desktop computer hardware rom 'aximize the value of the City's system assets over the course of their useful life. IT Leadership We recommend that Ramsey contract with LOGIS to provide strategic and tacdcal technolo~, planning and management services, effectiveb, a contract Chief Irlformadon Officer (CIO). ,~.lthough the City investigated this opdon at one point, LOGIS did not offer these services. Recendy, LOGIS has started to offer these services, and is providing similar services to three member cities. By using LOGI$ to serve this role, the City will avoid the II I I I I I' I I I I I I I' I I I I I