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22 <br /> Public Works <br /> the current network connection to the Public Works facility is Frame Relay. <br /> Support of their equipment is problematic due to environmental conditions. Their <br /> servers are susceptible to lightening strikes and power outages far more often <br /> than the more vigilantly protected central server facility Also, without high <br /> speed fiber, we cannot deploy an enterprise SQL server to run their applications <br /> with other SQL applications, thus saving costs, increasing reliability and freeing <br /> up IT resources to reduce the need for additional positions in IT <br /> Wireless Access Points <br /> The increased use of mobile technology has provided significant efficiencies for many <br /> Orange County departments. However, the lack of reliable network connectivity <br /> from the field finds the County not fully able to realize the benefits of this <br /> technology. Many field workers currently gather information in the field and <br /> upload back into County servers when they return to the office, creating time <br /> lags in the information's accuracy. Some field workers use mobile data <br /> technology that interfaces with County servers through cell phone circuits, but <br /> these solutions are costly, slow and impractical for many critical County <br /> applications. <br /> Information Technologies needs to investigate the deployment of Wireless <br /> Access Points in the County. These points would allow mobile workers to <br /> reconnect with the County servers to upload and download data throughout <br /> their work day without having to come back into the office. These Wireless <br /> Access Points would be in specific geographic locations, requiring mobile <br /> workers to come into a designated parking areas for this synchronization. <br /> Desktop Replacement Project <br /> This program has been very well received by the Orange County staff, and it <br /> has enabled OCIT to standardize on desktop computing environments. <br /> The oldest machines in service are approximately 5.5 year old Pentium IV <br /> machines. They are capable of running most County applications, however their <br /> vintage prevents them from running the latest security programs, thus exposing <br /> the entire Orange County network to malicious attacks. In some cases, they can <br /> run security programs, but at the expense of slowing the computer down for <br /> other work. Additionally, the older machines are beyond their life expectancy. <br /> As such, we will see a marked increase in equipment failures, some of which <br /> can be addressed only through the purchase of used spare parts available on <br /> auction sites on the internet. <br /> It is important that Orange County adhere to the 4 year PC Replacement cycle <br /> that has been suspended for two out of the past five years. <br />