THE THIRD MEETING OF THE

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SUB-COMMITTEE

CANADA ROOM, MARKHAM CIVIC CENTRE

APRIL 26, 2005

 

MINUTES

 

Attendance

Regional Councillor J. Jones

Regional Councillor B. O’Donnell

Councillor S. Daurio

 

Staff:

Andy Taylor, Commissioner of Corporate Services

James Allen, Chief Information Officer

Ken Karges, Process Analyst

Francis Poon, Manager, Client Delivery

Sugun Rao, Manager, Technology

Krishna Sookrit, Lead, Telephony and Desktop Integration

Kitty Bavington, Committee Clerk

 

 

The Information Technology Sub-Committee convened at the hour of 3:10 p.m. with Councillor B. O’Donnell in the Chair.

 

 

1.         VOIP – VOICE OVER INTERNET PROTOCOL

 

Krishna Sookrit, Lead, Telephony and Desktop Integration, gave a presentation on the impact of VOIP on the 911 System. Staff discussed the CRTC mandate to VOIP Providers to offer enhanced 911 service comparable to the local carriers within 90 days, or shut down. Comparisons were made between the abilities of Fixed and Nomadic/Foreign VOIP providers.

 

Committee reviewed the primary issues, benefits, risks, and limitations. It is important that the public is aware of the limitations for 911 access, and it is the provider’s responsibility to educate their customers. The Town cannot make complaints on behalf of constituents, but the public can complain directly to the CRTC on any issue.

 

Moved by: Regional Councillor J. Jones

Seconded by: Councillor S. Daurio

 

That the presentation by the Lead, Telephony and Desktop Integration, respecting the VOIP – Voice Over Internet Protocol, be received.

CARRIED

 

2.         MICROSOFT ENTERPRISE AGREEEMNT RENEWAL

 

Francis Poon, Manager, Client Delivery, provided an update on the Microsoft Enterprise agreement renewal. Staff provided a history of the licensing agreement, in affiliation with the City of Toronto, which expired in October 2002. Toronto did not exercise their option to renew, and a new contract is being negotiated and offered through the Province on Ontario. A list comparing the software, products and services offered in the prior and new contracts was reviewed.

 

The new contract will have an initial license requirement for 650 seats, estimated at $ 362.49 per seat. The first 3 year term from November 2004 to October 2007, has a cost projection of

$ 706,860 (plus taxes). A renewable option for a second term to 2010 has a cost projection of

$ 418,400 (plus taxes). Alternate licensing models were reviewed.

 

The next steps will be for a tender release in May, 2005 for a Microsoft Licensing Administrator, and an award recommendation report is anticipated to be presented to Council in June.

 

Moved by: Councillor S. Daurio

Seconded by: Regional Councillor J. Jones

 

That the presentation of the Manager, Client Delivery, the status of the Microsoft Enterprise agreement renewal, be received.

CARRIED

 

 

3.         ITIL – INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY INFRASTRUCTURE

            LIBRARY FRAMEWORK IMPLEMENTATION

 

Francis Poon, Manager, Client Delivery, gave a presentation on the ITIL – Information Technology Infrastructure Library, framework implementation. The ITIL is a published guide for business users for the delivery of IT services, providing a core of support and delivery best practices to link the business and technology sectors together. ITIL is recognized worldwide as the de facto standard for IT service management, adopted by such major organizations at the Governments of Canada and Ontario, Bank of Canada, CIBC, IBM and Microsoft.

 

Staff gave a brief overview of the standards being created, the certification process, strategic benefits, and challenges ahead. Staff have assessed the Town’s capabilities and have identified key process areas requiring immediate attention. A detailed assessment report is scheduled for the next ITS Management meeting.

 

Moved by: Councillor S. Daurio

Seconded by: Regional councillor J. Jones

 

That the presentation of the Manager, Client Delivery, regarding the ITIL – Information Technology Infrastructure, Library Framework Implementation, be received.

CARRIED

 

4.         NEW BUSINESS

 

a)         James Allen advised of upcoming conferences and presentations he will be participating in, regarding internet voting and other IT issues.

 

b)         Regional Councillor J. Jones tabled a copy of the report “Telecommunications and Economic Development in New York City: A Plan for Action” dated March 2005, for staff and the Committee to review.

 

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

The Information Technology Sub-Committee meeting adjourned at the hour of 4:30 p.m.