95-1088a � � � � � � � Council File # S � �
S 0
�� Gxeen Sheet # _����_�
RESOLUTION
� CITY OF SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA .�,:,
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Piesented By
Refeiied To
Committee: Date
WHEREAS, the consolidation of council and administrative video units has resulted in 1
savings; and
WHEREAS, the Gity has electronic mail and network redesign needs which will
communication and service responsiveness; and
WHEREAS, Citywide Information Services has evaluated the repfacement of
GroupWise; and
WHEREAS, Citywide Information Services has engaged a consuitant for
redesign project and is prepared to complete the project; and
internal
Office wiih
phase of the network
WHEREAS, $195,679 has been placed in Council Contingency and it ys�appropriate to use cable franchise
revenues for communications-related requirements; and /
WHEREAS, the Mayor pursuant to Section 10.07.4 of the City
the 1995 Cable Communications Fund budget; and
TRANSFER FROM:
Cable Communication
GL-166-31121-0548 Council Contingency
TRANSFER TO:
Cable Communications
GL-166-31121-0219 Fees - Other ProfE
GL-166-31121-0856 Data Processing -
GL-166-31121-0857 Data Processing -
All Other Fund Spending
195,679
Svs 32,246
e 2,000
re -0-
773.955
1 003.880
recommends the following transfers for
Amended
Chanpes Budaet
(140,000) 55,679
� �•
�� ���
:� ���
�
52,246
42,000
80,000
773.955
1.003.880
RESOLVED, that the Council appr es use of up to $60,000 in 1995 cable funds for citywide upgrading
WordPerfect O�ce to GroupWis , and up to $80,000 to complete implementation of netwar� redesign.
\
� �a �
C��s�.f�.. � � ��{�� �
Cl�
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95-�r�88'
Q�1G��A�
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Requested by DepaYtment of:
B
Adopted by Council: Date
Adoption Certified by Cour�il Secietary
By:
Approved by Mayox:
FoZm Approved �y City
By:
� Appxoved b� p(ayos Poz Submission to Council
te ✓ � ?
By : � � �'t��
By:
� ` . _�
.
DEPARTMENT/OFFICECOUNCII DATE INITIATED p
Finance/Citywide I�formation Spcs 7_Z6-95 GREEN SHEET - 31302
CpNTAC7 PERSON 8 PHONE INITIAUOATE INITIAVDATE
EPARTMENT DIFE 177 CITY COUNCIL
Gregory J. Haunt 266-6787 ASSIGN CITYATfORNEV L OCITVCLERK
MUST BE ON COUNqL AGENDA BY (DATE) ROUi1NGFOR BUDGET DIRECTOR � FIN. & MGT. SERVICES DIR
OPDEA MAYOfl (OR ASSISTANT) f�l �__
t�J
TOTAL # OP SIGNATURE pAGES CLIP ALL LOCATIONS FOR SIGNATURE)
ACSION RE�UESTED:
Approval of resolution to amend the 1995 Cable:Communications Budget to use money conserved
from the merger o8 two video offices to benefit the corporate e-mail and network redesign
project. The money is currently in Council contingency.
RECOMMENDATIONS: Approve (A) or Reject (R) FERSONAL SERVICE CONTRACTS MUST ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUEST10N5:
_ PLANNING COMMISSION _ EIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION 1. Has this personRirm ever worked under a wntract for this department?
_ CIB COMMITfEE _ �'ES NO
_ 57AFF _ 2. Has this person/firm ever been a city employee?
YES NO
� DIS7RICT COURT _ 3. Does this personttirm possess a skili not normaily possessetl by any curreM city employee?
SUPPORTSWHfCNCOUNC{LO&IECTIVE? YES NO
Explain all yes answers on separate sheet antl ettach to green sheet
INITIATING PROBLEM, ISSUE, OPPQRTUNIN (Who, Wheq When, Wheee, Why)'
Lack of necessary funding for consultant fees, software upgrades and network equioment, will
cause delays in � e mail develonment and imolementation of the n�e�t�wo�r�„�edesign.
, n ���
�_��",��
pU� 09 1995
����"� �F�6v�
ADVANTAGESIFAPPROVED.
The corporate e-mail system-will become more reliable, efficient and will improve internal
communication and service resnonsiveness.
DISADVANTAGES IF APPROVED: �
� �4ix
None
AtlG a i9��
DISAOVANTAGES IF NOTAPPROVED:
E-mail and network redesign will be indefinitely delayed. g
� t' �`{'.:f� ! tL�'�'..��:`da""�''. 6��5.MY
alt,+3�
At! z � � i�95
TOTALAMOUNTOFTRANSACTION S 14�,�0� COSTfFlEVENUEBUDGE7ED(GHCLEONE) YES NO
FUNDIHGSOURCE Special Fund ACTIVITYNUMBER 31125
PINANCIAUNFORMATfON: (EXPlA1N�
O
7ANICE RETTMAN
Couacilperson
FINANCE 8� BUDGET COMMITTEE
COMMITTEE REPORT
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1995
Resolution - 95-1088 - Amending the 1995 Cable Budget.
WITHDRAWN BY AUTHOR
CITY OF SAINT PAUL
OFFICE OF T�iE CiTY C�3UNCIL
�� YI���
f
Members: �- �'
Janice Rettm n, Chair
pino Guerin
Michael Harris
Roberta Megard
CPI'Y HALL SUITE 320A SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA 55102 612l266-8650
5�q6
Pr"rnhd on Recyfled Papec
�ts - /0�8
� - �� �,_ta�t.rf�: _ �.nr�
CTTY OF SAINT PAUL
TT�RU: Joe Reid
TO: Council President David Thune
FROM: Martha Larson �
DATE: Wednesday, July 26, 1995
SUBJECT: 1995 Budget Amendment for Top-Priority Technology Investments
Summarv
The attached Council Resolution effects use of $140,000 in 1995 cable television
franchise fee revenues for two key interdepartmental technology improvements.
The two undertakings are (1) deployment of an upgrade to WordPerfect Office,
our major interdepartmental electronic mail; and (2) completion funding of the
network redesign begun with activity 01115 1994 end-of-year general fund dollars.
Estimated costs for the two citywide technology improvements are up to $60,000
for the elecuonic mail upgrade and up to $80,000 for completion of the network
redesign.
The funds are available as part of the projected cost reduction for 1995 resulting
from the merger of Council and Administrauon video units.
Importance of Electronic Mail U�grade
The City's electronic mail service is a mix of mail systems.' About 75% of the
mailboxes are served by WotdPerfect Off'ice, version 3x. Version 3x has proven
problematic given the way we aze using it. Its upgrade, called GroupWise, has
been availabie for more than a year and has been reviewed and tested by C`itywide
Information Services Division for several months. It is important to replace
WordPerfect Office citywide for a number of reasons. GroupWise will
' WordPerfect Office does not track electronic mafl volume among WordPerfect Office
message servers, but available partial data from the CIS message server indicates users are
passing between 1,000 and 2,000 messages per day among departmenuJoffices.
�S -l0$8
• Resolve the ve�ng "hangs" which have proven troublesome to all mail
users and wluch ha�e delayed important document exchange between City
Council members and City staff;
• Reduce technical staff time spent on administration of user lists and alias
lists and on troubleshooting WordPerfect Office idiosyncracies;
• Improve reliability of incoming Intemet message processing, something
which now contributes to a significant amount of down-time and which has
proven frustrating for departmental and City CouncIl mail users;
• Make sending of Internet messages easier for users;
• Make available an efficient group meeting "5cheduler." Tt�e current
WordPerfect Office Scheduler brings electronic mail to a halt, often for
hours, when used;
• Provide better inter-operation with other electronic mail softwaze packages
now in use in the City (Fire's cc:Mail, Library's unix mail, Public Works's
Eudora, and Health's Lotus Noteworks).
Imoortance of Network Redesign
The network redesign involves breaking our 1,100 station linkage into logical
groups using either routers or switches. Accomplishing this has a number of
significant advantages:
The redesign shift us to registered Intemet electronic mail addresses for
several hundred City desk-top machines. This will significantly ease the use
of Intemet electronic mail at the desktop (in this respect, the rivo projects,
electronic mail upgrade and network redesign, are closely linked);
Redesigning and dividing our network will also pemut balancing of network
loads by isolating local data traffic to its own segment. More efficient use
of the cunent network use may heip us delay a year or two additional
future network upgrade costs (from 10 megabit per second speeds to 100
megabit per second speeds) wlule maintaining for customers the level of
network responsiveness to wluch they are accustomed;
Redesigning and dividing our network will si�cantly assist CIS, and
department technical staffs, in isolating and conecting network problems.
2
9s -��08'8`
Although both of these initiatives support the organization's strategic need for
agile, reliable communication among elected officials and staff, neither of them is
"strategic" in the sense of a major shift in d'uection or technology. In both cases,
we are building upon what is in place, refining it to reflect increasing usage and
greater user sophistication. We risk nothing by going forward immediately and
realizing the benefits of these badly needed upgrades.
Alternative means of fundine
Based on our quick survey at the time the 1996 department budget was proposed,
the departments and offices support both of these needed improvements, but feel
they should be budgeted cenually.
I agree with my colleagues on this point. I would e�ect in the future — beginning
in 1997, I wouid hope — to see this type of citywide initiauve funded through a
central or citywide mechanism, rather than from a Finance Department-specific
budget. This issue is part of the larger resource allocation issue that the Chief
Information Officer can and should address. Today, with the need before us, and
an appropriate identified source of funds, use of cable dollars is prudent and
realistic.
C:�BUDGE'I'11995\bfAII. NET.9S
o � � � � � � � Council File # S � �
Green Sheet � �.._ �
RESOLUTfON
CITY OF SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA � ��
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Pzesented By
Referied To
Committee: Date
WHEREAS, the consolidation of council and administrative video units has resulted in
savings; and
WHEREAS, the City has electronic mail and network redesign needs which will
communication and service responsiveness; and
WHEREAS, Citywide information Services has evaluated the replacement of
GroupWise; and
WHEREAS, Citywide Information Services has engaged a consultant for
redesign project and is prepared to complete the project; and
internal
Office with
phase of the network
WHEREAS, $195,679 has been piaced in Council Contingency and it ya�appropriate to use cable franchise
revenues for communications-related requirements; and f
WHEREAS, the Mayor pursuant to Section 10.07.4 of the City
the 1995 Cable Communications Fund budget; and
TRANSFER FROM:
Cable Communication
GL-16631121-0548 Council Continge�cy
TRANSFER TO:
Cable Communications
GL-166-31121-0219 Fees - Other Profa
GL-166-31121-0856 Data Processing -
GL-16631121-0857 Data Processing -
Ali Other Fund Spending
195,679
Svs 32,246
e 2,000
re -0-
773.955
1.003.8$0
recommends the following transfers for
Amended
Chanqes Budaet
(140,0�0) 5b,679
20,000
40,00�
80,000
-0-
-0-
52,246
42,000
80,000
773.955
1.003.880
RESOLVED, that the Council appr es use of up to $60,000 in 1995 cable funds for citywide upgrading
WordPerfect Office to GroupWis , and up to $80,000 to comptete impiementation of netw�edesign.
w+-c�t � ��� �/ ��
Budg irecto . " D\ �
� �� �� v�
��� ��
q5- fo$g�
�������,�
Requested by Depastment of:
B �
Adopted by CounciL Date
Adoption Ceztified by
By
Approved by Mayor.
�
v
\��
L�
� � �
� Q �
�
� �
�� ��
Secretasy
Form Appzoved �y City
By:
Appsoved b� rylayoi gox Submission to Council
✓ i
sy: /�l� ��'fvt�;r-�!�
By:
tpwide Information Sycs
Gregory J. Haunt 266-6787
7-26-95 I GREEN SHEET
CITYATTORNEY
TOTAL # OF SIGNATURE PAGES
ACTION REDUESTED�
MAYOfl (OR ASSIS
ALl LOCATIONS FOR SIGNATURE)
`ts - I og�
N_ 31302
CITYCOUNqL �N�T�AVDATE
CtTY CLERK
FIN. & MGI SERVIC DIR.
� _—
Approval of resolution to amend the 1495 Cable.Communications Budget to use money conserv
from the merger of two video offices to benefit the corporate e-mail and network redesign
project. The money is currently in Council contingency.
Approve (A) or qe�ect (R)
_. PIANNING COMMISSION _ CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION
__ CIB COMMffTEE
_ STAFi
_ OISTRIGT COURT
SUPPORTS WHICH COUNCIL O&IECTIVE?
PERSONAI. SERVICE CONTRACTS MUST ANSWER THE FOL40WINC. QUESTIONS:
1. Has this person/Firm evar worked under a coniract for Ihis tlepartment? -
YES NO
2. Has this personttirm ever been a ciry employee?
YES NO
3. Does this person/firm possess a skill not normally pos5essetl by any current ary employee?
YES NO
Explain all yes answ¢rs on saparate sheet and aKach to green sheet
.ia�cm, issue, opr�RTUNITV (Who, What, WhBn. Where, Whyp
Lack of necessary funding far consultant £ees, software upgrades and network eauipment, will
cause delays in � e�mail develonment and im�lementation of the networ edesign.
� " ������
�R�����
$��}� 09 1995
����"� �?�;�i :�.
The corporate e-mail system-will become more reliable, efficient and will improve internal
communication and service resnonsiveness.
None
y h.: �
�lJC7 � �7�7�
\DVANTAGES IF NOTAPPROVED�
E-mail and network redesign will be indefinitely delayed.
��N3aau� �.�,��.F�+�."s��s .�a.��Y�Y
AMOUNTOFTpANSAC710N S 14��(���
Ai!� � 1 :�95
COST/REYENUE BUDGETED (CIRCLE ONE) YES NO
FUNDIfdG30URCE SPecial Fund AC71VIiVNUMBER 311Z1
FINANCIAL INFORMATION. (EXPIAIN)
�S - t�g8
Resolve the ve�ng "hangs" which have proven troublesome to all mail
users and wluch have delayed important document exchange between City
Council members and City staff;
Reduce technical staff time spent on administration af user lists and alias
lists and on troubleshooting WordPerfect Office idiosyncracies;
Improve reliability of incoming Internet message processing, something
wluch now contributes to a significant amount of down-time and which has
proven frustrating for departmental and City Council mail users;
Make sending of Internet messages easier for users;
Make available an efficient group meeting "Scheduler." The current
WordPerfect Office Scheduler brings electronic mail to a halt, often for
hours, when used;
Provide better inter-operation with other electronic mail softwaze packages
now in use in the City (Fire's cc:Mail, Librar�s unix mail, Public Works's
Eudora, and Health's Lotus Noteworks).
Importance of Network Redesign
The network redesign involves breaking our 1,100 station linkage into logical
groups using either routers or switches. Accomplishing this has a number of
significant advantages:
The redesign shift us to registered Internet electronic mail addresses for
several hundred City desk-top machines. This will significantly ease the use
of Intemet electronic mail at the desktop (in this respect, the two projects,
electronic mail upgrade and network redesign, are closely linked};
Redesigning and dividing our network will also pemut balancing of network
loads by isolating local data traffic to its own segment. More efficient use
of the current network use may help us delay a year or two additional
future network upgrade costs (from 10 megabit per second speeds to 100
megabit per second speeds) while maintaining for customers the level of
network responsiveness to which they are accustomed;
Redesigning and dividing our network will significantly assist CIS, and
department technical staffs, in isolating and correcting network problems.
2
95 -Io8'�`
Aithough both of these initiatives support the organization's strategic need for
agile, reliable communication among elected officials and staff, neither of them is
"strategic" in the sense of a major shift in direction or technology. In both cases,
we aze building upon what is in place, re5ning it to reflect increasing usage and
greater user sophistication. We risk nothing by going forward immediately and
realizing the benefits of these badly needed upgrades.
Alternative means of funding
Based on our quick survey at the tiane the ? 996 department budget was proposed,
the departments and offices support both of these needed improvements, but feel
they should be budgeted centrally.
I agree with my colleagues on this point. I would eacpect in the future — begnning
in 1997, I wouid hope — to see this type of citywide initiative funded through a
central or citywide mechanism, rather than from a Finance Department-specific
budget. This issue is part of the lazger resource allocation issue that the Chief
Information Officer can and should address. Today, with the need before us, and
an appropriate identified source of funds, use of cable dollars is prudent and
realistic.
C:\BUDGET�1995\MAII, NET.95
3
� � � � � � � � Council File # � � �
Gieen Sheet # 3�� 0��
RESOLUTION
CITY OF SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA '
// c � ,s . % ...�'1
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42
Pxesented By
Refeiied To
WHEREAS, the consolidation of council and administrative video units has resulted in 1
savings; and
WHEREAS, the City has efectronic mail and network redesign needs which wilf
communication and service responsiveness; and
WHEREAS, Citywide Information Services has evaluated the replacement of
GroupWise; and
WHEREAS, Citywide Information Services has engaged a consultant for
redesign project and is prepared to compiete the project; a�d
195,679
WHEREAS, $195,679 has been placed in Council Contingency and it j,� appropriate to use cable franchise
revenues for communicaiions-related requirements; and /
WHEREAS, the Mayor pursuant to Section 10.07.4 of the City
the 1995 Cable Communications Fund budget; and
TRANSFER FROM:
Cable Communication
GL-166-31121-0548 Council Contingency
TRANSFER TO:
Cable Communications
GL-166-31121-0219 Fees - Other ProfE
GL-166-31121-0856 Data Processing -
GL-166-31121-0857 Data Processing -
All Other Fund Spending
RESOLVED, that the Council
WordPerfect Office to Groupl
Svs 32,246
e 2,000
re -0-
773.955
1.003.880
Committee: Date
internal
Office with
phase of the network
recommends the following transfers for
Amended
Chanpes Budaet
(140,000) 55,679
� � �
�� ���
:� ���
�
52,246
42,000
80,000
773.955
1.003.880
r4es use of up to $60,000 in 1995 cable funds for citywide upgrading
and up to $80,000 to complete implementation of netw�edesign.
� �� �
.
�� �\�
��� ��
���\ ��
�
,� �
`�S-:�o88`
►
�
�
t?� �
��
� �� ��
� � ��
�� ��,\
Requested by Department of:
B
�
Adopted by Council: Date
Adoption Cextified by Courybil Secietary
By:
Appxoved by Mayor.
Foim Appxoved �qy City
By:
' Approved b� qlayoz Poi Submission to Council
te ✓�/� ' _/� �1�
Sy: 7' \ � �%U�
By
`t5 —108�
DEPARTMENT/OFFICE/COUNCIL DATE INITIATEO p
FinanceJCitywide Information Sycs 7_26-95 GREEN SHEE �- 31302
CONTACT PERSON & PHONE INITIAIJDATE INITIAIJDATE
EPARTMENTOIRECTOR I7lCITYCOUNCII
Gregory J. Haupt 266-6787 ASSIGN CITVATTORNEY l OCITVCLERK
MUST BE ON COUNCIL AGENDA BV (DATE) pOUTNG�OR BUDGET DIRECTOR � FIN. & MGT. SERVICES DIR.
flDEP MAVOR (OFi ASSISTANT) � ���_
TOTAL # OF SICaNATURE PAGES (CLIP ALL LOCATIONS FOR SIGNATURE)
ACTION REQUESTED:
Approval of resolution to amend the 1995 Cable Communications Budget to use money conserved
from the merger of� two video offices to benefit the corporate e-mail and network redesign
project. The money is currently in Council contingency.
RECAMMENDATIONS: Apprwa (A) or Reject (R) PERSONAL SERVICE CONTRACTS MUST ANSWER THE FOLLOWING �UESTIONS:
_ PLANNING COMMISSION _ CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION �� Has this person/firm ever worked untler a contract for this depa�lment?
_ CIB COMMITfEE _ YES NO
2. Has this person/firm ever been a ciry employee?
_ STAFf
— YES NO
_ D15TRIC7 COUR'T — 3. Does this personttirm possess a skill not normall
y possessed by any current city employee?
SUPPORTS WHICH COUNGL O&IECTIVE? YES NO
Explatn all yes answars on separete sheet and attach to green sheet
INITIA7ING PROBLEM, ISSUE, OPPORTUNIN (Who. Wh31 When, Whera, Why).
Lack of necessary funding for consultant fees, software upgrades and network eq_uipment, will
cause delays in �� e mail development and imnlementation of the n�e�t�wo�r��edesign.
� n ���
c���t�
AUG 09 1995
����as �5�����.
ADVANTACaES IF APPROVED:
The corporate e-mail system-will become more reliable, efficient and will improve internal
communication and service resoonsiveness.
DISADVANTAGES IF PPPROVED
None � �� ����
��� � 2���
DISAOVANTAGES IF NOT APPROVED:
E-mail and network redesign will be indefinitely delayed.
���3�i;:� s;��3;�.-°d#' �r.�..�T�:s'
AL� u 1 1995
TOTAL AMOUN7 OF TRANSACTION S 14O � OOO COSLREVENUE BUDGETED (CIHCLE ONE) YES NO
FUNDIHGSOURCE Special Fund AC7IVITYNUMBER 311Z1
FINANCIAL INFORMATION: (EXPLAIN)
Q .
� �
s ,,
JANICE RETTMAN
CouncIlperson
FINANCE 8� BUDGET COMMITTEE
COMMITTEE REPORT
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1995
Resolution - 95-1088 - Amending the 1995 Cable Budget.
WITHDRAWN BY AUTHOR
�?�° i���
CI"PY HALL SU1TE 320A SAiNT PAUL, MINNESOTA 55102
CITY OF SAINT PAUL
OFFiCE OF'I'HE CiTY CJUNCIL
5�66
Printed ov RecyGetl Paper
Memben: �' �
Janice Rettm n, Chair
Dino Guerin
Michael Harris
Roberta Megard
612/266-8650
9s - ro�8
Memorandum
CITY OF SAINT PAUL
THRU
TO:
Joe Reid
CouncIl President David Thune
FROM: Martha Larson v'' 0
DATE:
SUBJECT:
Summarv
Wednesday, July 26, 1995
1995 Budget Amendment for Top-Priority Technology Investments
The attached Council Resolution effects use of $140,000 in 1995 cable television
franchise fee revenues for two key interdepartmental technology improvements.
The two undertakings are (1) deployment of an upgrade to WordPerfect Office,
our major interdepartmental electronic mail; and (2) completion funding of the
network redesign begun with activity 01115 1994 end-of-year general fund dollars.
Estimated costs for the two citywide technology improvements are up to $60,000
for the electronic mail upgrade and up to $8Q000 for completion of the network
redesign.
The funds are available as pazt of the projected cost reduction for 1995 resulting
from the merger of Council and Administration video units.
Importance of Electronic Mail Upgrade
The City's electronic mail service is a mix of mail systems.' About 75% of the
mailboxes are served by WordPerfect Office, version 3x. Version 3x has proven
problematic given the way we aze using it. Its upgrade, called GroupWise, has
been available for more than a yeaz and has been reviewed and tested by Citywide
Information Services Division for several months. It is important to replace
WordPerfect Office citywide for a number of reasons. GroupWise will
` WordPerfect Office does not track electronic mail volume among WordPerfect Office
message servers, but available partial data from the CIS message server indicates users are
passing between 1,000 and 2,000 messages per day among departments/offices.
�S'lo88
Resolve the vexing "hangs" which haue proven troublesome to all maIl
users and which ha�e delayed important document exchange between City
Council members and City staff;
Reduce technical staff time spent on administration of user lists and alias
lists and on troubleshooting WordPerfect Office idiosyncracies;
• Improve reliability of incoming Intemet message processing, something
which now contributes to a significant amount of down-time and which has
proven frustrating for departmental and City Council mail users;
• Make sending of Internet messages easier for users;
• Make available an efficient group meeUng "Scheduler." The current
WordPerfect Office Scheduler brings electronic mail to a halt, often for
hours, when used;
• Provide better inter-operation with other electronic mail softwaze packages
now in use in the City (Fire's cc:Mail, Library's unix mail, Public Works's
Eudora, and Health's Lotus Noteworks).
Imnortance of Network Redesign
The network redesign involves breaking our 1,100 station linkage into logical
groups using either routers or switches. Accomplishing this has a number of
significant advantages:
The redesign shift us to registered Intemet electronic mail addresses for
several hundred City desk-top machines. This will significantly ease the use
of Internet electronic mail at the desktop (in this respect, the two projects,
electronic mail upgrade and network redesign, are closely linked);
Redesigning and dividing our nerivork will also pemut balancing of network
loads by isolating local data tr�c to its own segment. More efficient use
of the current network use may help us delay a year or two additional
future nerivork upgrade costs (from 10 megabit per second speeds to 100
megabit per second speeds} while maintaining for customers the level of
network responsiveness to wluch they are accustomed;
Redesigning and dividing our network will significantly assist CIS, and
department technical staffs, in isolating and correcting network problems.
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Although both of these initiatives support the organization's strategic need for
agile, reliable communication among elected o�cials and staff, neither of them is
"strategic" in the sense of a major shift in d'uection or technology. In both cases,
we aze building upon what is in place, refining it to reflect increasing usage and
greater user sophistication. We risk nothing by going forwazd immediately and
realizing the benefits of these badly needed upgrades.
Altemative means of funding
Based on our quick survey at the time the 1996 department budget was proposed,
the departments and of�ces support both of these needed improvements, but feel
they should be budgeted centrally.
I agree with my colleagues on this point. I would expect in the future — beginning
in 1997, I would hope — to see this type of citywide initiative funded through a
central or citywide mechanism, rather than from a Finance Department-specific
budget. This issue is part of the larger resource allocation issue that tt�e Chief
Information Officer can and should address. Today, with the need before us, and
an appropriate identified source of funds, use of cable dollars is prudent and
realistic.
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