The township will be upgrading desktop computers to alleviate problems and ensure compatibility with new office software, although a exact price for the computers is not yet known.
Finance Director Mike Givens recently explained administration staff are using computers purchased in 2005, with software that includes Windows XP 2003 and Small Business 2003.
Plus, each computer has about only 504 megabytes of RAM remaining, which Givens said is not enough memory to support the latest financial and taxation software expected to be installed later this year.
The provider, Vadim, is scheduled to install iCity Enterprise version two during the first week of December.
The installation is mandatory, as Vadim will no longer support version one, Givens said.
He also explained Mapleton?Township is part of the Guelph Co-operative Purchasing Group, which, through the City of Guelph, issued a tender for supply and support of computers.
Compugen Inc., the township’s current information technology support provider, was the successful bidder and has also been named the province’s public sector vendor of record for desktop management services and products.
So, Givens recommended the township authorize him to finalize negotiations with Compugen for the purchase of up to 12 desktop computers, six monitors, the required licences and the migration of the equipment into the municipality’s in-house network.
“This will ensure that we are able to run version two of iCity and alleviate speed and compatibility issues that we currently struggle with on a regular basis,” Givens said in his report to council.
He added the computer “refresh” would also introduce the new Windows 7 operating system and Office 2010 software, as well as allow the township to use existing computers for Internet access and email at other township facilities such as fire halls, the PMD arena and public works locations.
The 2010 budget includes $20,000 for a new server room in the basement of the administrative building.
Givens said it is his intention to continue with that plan in conjunction with upgrading the desktop computers and to cover any costs over $20,000 with funds from the “administration Mapleton reserve,” which currently has a balance of $8,000.
Council unanimously approved the recommendation.
