The IT/IS mission is to:

• Act as a "Solid Utility" based on available and cost-effective infrastructure: network resources are appropriately deployed, computing tools are up-to-date, an adequately staffed and responsive help desk is provided, and the back-office applications are maintained and available.

• Act as a "Trusted Supplier" to city departments, providing business tools on time and within budget using standardized project management methodologies.

News & Notices

Our Workgroups

Administration
This work group oversees the management of the entire department. Departmental customer satisfaction is a key performance measure. They seek to impact this by listening to their customers via an annual survey and adjusting services accordingly. In addition, they oversee the financial solvency of the department by paying the bills and administering the internal charge back system.

GIS Applications
The GIS Applications group develops and updates GIS data layers for use in nearly every City field operation, including Police (GeoCrime), Planning (GeoZone), Water and Sewer (GeoFlow), Public Works (GeoWorks), Fire (GeoMap) and the Office of Central Inspection (GeoZone). GIS also coordinates data sharing with Sedgwick County, providing weekly updates to the City GIS databases so that users have the most up-to-date information. They also use a survey to ensure they are meeting the needs of their customers.

Help Desk, Telephony & Print Shop
The Help Desk responds to user concerns and ensures hardware, including PCs, laptops, and telephony equipment, are highly functional by replacing them on a schedule. Help Desk’s performance strategies include: 1) using each analyst in a specialized fashion, rather than all analysts trying to know all things, 2) using software to “look over” customers shoulders, which saves time, 3) adjusting schedules so that phones are always staffed with two analysts during business hours, 4) setting and implementing standards for desktop hardware and software to ensure a stable computing environment, 5) analysts training in hardware and software is kept current to ensure they can help when called, and 6) seek to maintain 1 Help Desk Analyst per 400 PCs (both phone and desk side) so that calls will be answered in a timely manner. In pursuit of this and due to additional laptops, an additional Help Desk Analyst was added in 2006.

The Print Shop prints documents if: 1) they are technical, such as binding, 2) the customer desires high quality, or 3) the customer desires high volume. The Print Shop seeks efficiency and effectiveness by keeping equipment updated and maintained and staff trained.

Internet Technology/Application Development
This work group, also known as the Web group, develops and maintains the City Web Site, and collaborates with other City departments to provide information to the public via the Internet. The Web group also searches for e-commerce opportunities and supports departments that do business electronically. Several examples of e-commerce applications include receiving bids electronically; the availability of Municipal Court and OCI forms and documents; and providing Police Department generated accident reports, saving time and money for purchasers and Police.

Application Support
The Application Support group is tasked with optimizing software systems for use by City departments, and leading application upgrade/update projects. Application Support seeks to minimize the down time and maximize the usefulness of the software the departments use through support staff training, software selection, and software updates. Like the applications, down time is a priority that is addressed through updated and maintained systems and trained staff.

IT Operations (Network)
IT/IS Operations is responsible for all IT hardware and network equipment, and maintaining the security and integrity of the Citywide network. Network downtime debilitates many City functions, and thus is a performance measure. Operations seeks to minimize this by: 1) protecting the network from external corruption through monitoring tools, 2) upgrading the network when feasible, and 3) timing upgrades in off business hours.

Operations is looking at several improvements, including: 1) migration to Microsoft’s Office 2007 to increase functionality, compatibility, and efficiency, 2) implement new hardware architecture for servers (Blade) and disk storage (Storage Area Network, or SAN), 3) examine new technologies such as virtual servers and tools such as enterprise management to improve price/performance as well as management, security and availability, 4) continue to work to secure a wireless capability for City operations.

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