[TriLUG] OT: wcpss technology purchases

[Jim Wright]

I'm posting this to trilug, as many of you may have experience with
the kind of systems that wake county schools is using...I just was
looking through the school board meeting agenda, and came across these
items...I am curious to know if anyone has a frame of reference to
know if these purchases are out of line or not.  While, I'm sure that
wcpss pumps a lot of data through their data center, 1.7 million for a
server upgrade and some database licenses seems a bit large.


2.PURCHASE OF SUN FIRE E25K SERVER
WCPSS serves as our own data center for the eSIS application and hosts
the associated WCPSS-specific applications (such as eMARC and SAM)
that interface with the eSIS database. The number and complexity of
such applications and the user base requiring access have increased at
an unanticipated rate making it necessary to rethink original
projections and plans to accommodate them. The current Sun F12K Server
has reached its capacity. Previously planned upgrades (which were
projected in the Technology Services Division budget) would only
provide short-term relief under current conditions. A longer-term
strategy of trading in the existing F12K Server and purchasing an E25K
Server will provide a solution to our anticipated data processing and
storage needs for student information over the next three years. The
solution includes hardware, system software, support and professional
services necessary to outfit the data center. Total purchase price,
inclusive of taxes, is $788,974.13. Fiscal Implications: Total amount
of purchase is $788,974.13. The bulk amount of the purchase price will
be covered through the Technology Services 2005-06 operating budget
since this purchase replaces previously planned activities related to
upgrades for the eSIS environment. The remaining balance of the
purchase will be covered by state technology funds. Recommendation for
Action: Presented as an information item only.

3.PURCHASE OF ADDITIONAL ORACLE LICENSES
Additional Oracle processor licenses are necessary to validate WCPSS
serving as our own data center for the eSIS application and to enable
continuing robust functioning of related applications (such as eMARC
and StARS). The additional management tools licenses will allow for
increased capabilities for fraud monitoring and security features as
well as the expanding needs as we migrate to Oracle 11i. Included with
the purchase of the perpetual software licenses is product update and
support coverage for each license. Coverage consists of updates and
patches as well as telephone and other support services. One-time
license fees total $779,280 and are due upon purchase. Product update
and support coverage totals $171,441.60 which will be billed quarterly
in arrears. The first quarterly invoice for support will not be
received until July 2006 thus no funds are required this fiscal year
for this item. Total amount for support coverage is included in the
anticipated 2006-07 Technology Services operating budget. Fiscal
Implications: Total amount of purchase is $950,721.60. Funding for
licenses is available in the Technology Services 2005-06 operating
budget. Funding for the support coverage is planned for and included
in the 2006-07 Technology Services operating budget request.
Recommendation for Action: Presented as an information item only.
--
Jim Wright
Wright Business Solutions
wrightjim at gmail.com
919-417-2257