By Clarence Cromwell
A plan is on the way for the city of Saratoga to replace obsolete hardware and software that slow down employees' work and leave their departments vulnerable to breakdowns.
The City Council decided to hire Wise Consulting Services, chosen from a field of eight firms, to examine the city's computer systems and draw up a five-year plan for revamping them. The technology master plan will also examine the city's telecommunications equipment.
City Manager Harry Peacock is drawing up an agreement to pay the consulting firm $11,500 for the service.
Finance Director Thomas Fil said he's sure the city will have to replace outdated 286-based computers on some desks and an obsolete computer network. The PCs are slow compared to newer models, and parts are no longer available for the network system. With newer computers, the city could also use updated, faster versions of the software it uses to conduct city business.
The council will have to consider allocating money for the new equipment at a future meeting. Peacock has estimated the upgrades will cost about $150,000.
The city's contract with Wise Consulting Services requires the consultant to complete the plan by Feb. 3. The company has developed similar plans for the city of San Mateo and 20 other California cities.
This article appeared in the Saratoga News, Wednesday, January 17, 1996.
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