[TriLUG] OT: wcpss technology purchases

[Cristobal Palmer]

http://www.wcpss.net/basic_facts.html

WCPSS is pretty big.

That said, is this the agenda for an upcoming meeting that some people
might attend to ask questions? If I were a parent with a child in
WCPSS, I'd want to know what mission-critical applications they've got
running that they need "The new flagship of the industry" (
http://www.sun.com/servers/highend/sunfire_e25k/index.jsp ).

Might it be productive to address questions to them directly?

http://www.wcpss.net/contact.html

-CMP

On 5/7/06, Jim Wright <wrightjim at gmail.com> wrote:
> 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
> --
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--

Cristobal M. Palmer
UNC-CH SILS Student
TriLUG Vice Chair
cristobalpalmer at gmail.com
cmpalmer at ils.unc.edu
ils.unc.edu/~cmpalmer
"Television-free since 2003"