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BOCC Communications Infrastructure <br />Recommended Communications Infrastructure for <br />Commissioners <br />One of the ideas that came out of the Commissioner retreat in January of 2005 was the <br />recognized need for communications equipment for Commissioners. This would ensure <br />each Commissioner had the opportunity to be outfitted with state of the art technology <br />that would enable them to communicate effectively and conveniently with constituents, <br />each other and County staff. This document provides information on a recommended <br />technology package to ensure each Commissioner has technology appropriate for their <br />needs. <br />Requirements <br />The Commissioners need technology that conforms to the following needs: <br />Reliability — The technology must be rugged, easy to maintain and outfitted with high <br />levels of security to protect the equipment from viruses, spyware and malicious <br />intrusions <br />Ease to use — The technology must be easy to operate and must not require high levels <br />of user training <br />Convenience — The technology must easily conform to the busy lifestyles of each <br />Commissioner. Portability and operability in many different environments is critical. <br />Flexibility — The technology must be multi - purpose and support myriad software <br />packages. It must allow further upgrades as technology evolves. <br />Recommendation <br />The Information Technologies group recommends a communications package consisting <br />of the following components: <br />1. A lightweight laptop computer — This device will <br />be used as the primary computer for each <br />Commissioner. It will contain all of the respective <br />commissioner's files, for ready access from home �o-+ <br />r• <br />or on the go. It will have integrated wireless <br />connectivity for access to email and the Internet <br />from any location with wireless networking. The <br />recommended model is the latest version of IBM's Thinkpad, such as has been <br />provided to Commissioner Foushee. <br />2. A docking station — This allows the laptop computer to be used at home like a <br />standard desktop computer. It provides all the connections to the printer, fax <br />machine, backup devices and all other peripherals. The laptop can be popped in <br />to and out of the docking station quickly and easily, without disconnecting any <br />wires. <br />3. Desktop accessories - To allow Commissioners to operate the laptop at home <br />as though it were a desktop, we recommend the following accessories: <br />a. Keyboard and Mouse — a standard full size mouse and keyboard <br />b. Monitor— a 17" flat panel monitor for crisp image display. These feature a <br />small footprint for minimal disruption of desk space <br />These would be connected to the docking station and left behind when <br />Commissioners take laptops on the road. <br />Orange County IT 1 4/1812005 <br />