Agenda - Council - 09/08/1998 - Laserfiche WebLink

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MEMORANDUM DATE: September 1, 1998 TO: Mayor and Councilmembers FROM: James E. Norman, City AdministratO~-/w/ Computer Hardware and SoRware Upgrade Network Upgrade. The City of Ramsey is currently in need of several computer hardware and software upgrades for a variety of reasons. This memorandum will briefly discuss recent developments that have brought about the need for upgrades, an itemization and description of the computer hardware and software needs and provide recommendation for Council consideration. Background: To simplify the issue, the discussion will be divided into four categories, including finance/payroll, law enforcement, hardware/software upgrades, and Internet/Website. Hardware/Software Upgrades. The City's Finance Officer resignation in March 1998, to accept a similar position in the City of Cambridge brought about a need for adequate information systems coordination. While in the process of researching whether in-house staff should be trained, it was determined that current soRware needs were outdated and training would not be available. A consultant was hired by the City to perform an audit of the City of Ramsey's computer network needs, in April, and the City received a report in June. While the audit gave staff a better understanding of what organizational computer hardware and software needs existed, it did not provid¢ a clear blueprint of how to manage the City's information systems. Finanee/PayroI1. About the same time that staff was researching its computer network needs, an entirely new issue developed with the City's finance and payroll software programs. The City had been using a program developed by the accounting firm of Tautges Redpath, beginning in 1995. Tautges Redpath was only able to sign up five users, including Ramsey, and notified the City early in 1998, that the software package support would no longer be available at the close of 1998. The City of Ramsey began discussions in June with the firm of CMS from Sioux Falls, South Dakota. CMS is the soflware vendor that the other Tautges Redpath finance sofNvare clients selected. Law Enforcement. The Ramsey City police Department is durrently considering a centralized County-wide records system with Anoka County. The Department is involved in the study through the Anoka County Joint Law Enforcement Council I I I' I I I I I, I I I I I I