Information Technology Achievements - 2009

April 27

Irving, Texas, Donates Computers to Residents
Irving, Texas, has donated more than 100 computers to qualifying low- and moderate-income families through its Computer Reuse Program (CORP). City staff partnered with four community organizations to present the computers in a March 26 ceremony.
When Irving launched CORP last year, the city became the second in the United States to implement a program in which previously owned computer equipment is refurbished by city employees and donated to residents. Recipient families are screened through a needs assessment conducted by the four organizations. Through CORP, hundreds of computers have sidestepped landfills and are being put to use by needy families.
NLC Corporate Partner Microsoft has donated Windows XP operating software in either English or Spanish, based on the recipient’s preference. At the end of the computer’s life, beneficiaries commit to proper disposal at one of the city’s drop-off recycling centers. Recipients are encouraged to participate in free computer training classes offered by the public library system.
Details: Corporate Communications
Director Laurie Kunke at (972) 721-2321

• DMN
• USAToday
• NLC
• AMO
• Irving Rambler 

Information Technology Achievements - 2008

Oct. 1
Strategic Goal No. 9: Infrastructure
Technology Infrastructure Consolidation – The replacement of aging servers and the reorganization
of stored information by the Information Technology Department has improved the efficiency of the city’s
servers. The city has saved nearly $84,000 in database software licensing expenses, in addition to other
savings due to the reduction of energy consumption. In addition, the changes have provided GIS users
with a sharper display, improved map labeling, faster address look up and quicker work order retrieval.

Sep. 17
Strategic Goal No. 6: Effective Communications
New City Web Site Design – The city Web site has a new design that went live this month. The updated
design features a video on demand player on the home page, which showcases a city video. Other
recent enhancements include Google searches, public input opportunities, traffic updates and key focus
area information.
Strategic Goal No. 8: Sound Governance
Service Desk Training – A 14-part training series, Telephone Doctor, was put in place three months
ago in the Information Technology Service Desk Division as part of its internal customer service
improvement program. Ten personnel within the division have received training on how to recognize
and handle different situations, how to respond to each effectively, how to take an active lead, and
actions to help solve customer problems.

Sep. 3
Strategic Goal No. 3: Economic Development
New Development Map – By the end of September, the Information Technology team will be able to
provide a new pocket-sized development map for general distribution. The map is a compact version of
an existing larger-sized map. The new brochure will be available to the public and will serve as a
marketing piece for economic development initiatives.
Strategic Goal No. 8: Sound Governance
On-the-Spot Awards – The following city employees have received On-the-Spot Awards from City
Manager Tommy Gonzalez for providing outstanding service to customers and/or working beyond normal
job duties. They are: Derek Austin (Fire), Ken Bloom (Planning and Inspections), Sharon Brown
(Planning and Inspections), David Carmical (Police), Carlos Cavazos (Police), Lawrence Crow (Planning
and Inspections), Stacy Day (Planning and Inspections), Christine Hadley (Planning and Inspections),
Larry Howell (Streets and Drainage), Lynda Johnson (Strategic Innovation), Kevin Kass (Planning and
Inspections), Crispin Lawson (Strategic Innovation), Dana Lubke (Fire), Robert Mardis (Engineering),
Gary Miller (Planning and Inspections), Chris Norris (Information Technology), Jack Rainwater (Planning
and Inspections), Steve Reed (Planning and Inspections), Tony Ruyle (Streets), Jerry Sparks (Planning
and Inspections), Donna Starling (Strategic Innovation), Bret Starr (Budget and Compensation), Dan
Vedral (Traffic), Linda Velazquez (Planning and Inspections), Mike Walter (Engineering), Sheba Ward
(Planning and Inspections) and Troy Wynne (Planning and Inspections).
Strategic Goal No. 9: Infrastructure
Electronic Records Access – The Information Technology team is using new software that provides a
more secure method of accessing the city’s imaging documents/paper records from the database. This
method requires requests to access files in the database to go through a higher security measurement.
In the meantime, the software simplifies the procedure that the administrator uses to manage access by
reducing the number of user accounts to one. This project is an example of the Lean Six Sigma process
at work.

Aug. 6
Strategic Goal No. 9: Infrastructure
Network Improvements – Information Technology has implemented dual Sprint data circuits for 150
police vehicles and 30 fire engines, increasing connectivity throughout the city and providing faster
upload and download speeds. This helps to maintain high network availability, improve emergency
responses, lower telecommunication costs and strengthen data security.
Speaking Engagement at Texas Technology Forum – Shane Burton, assistant IT director, gave a
speech at the Government Technology Executive Leadership Forum on July 28. The presentation was
about a Mobile Regional Communication System.

 July 23
Strategic Goal No. 9: Infrastructure
Wireless Access in City Facilities – The final phase of implementing wireless Internet and network
access in city facilities has been completed by Information Technology. This project includes city
recreation centers, Housing and Human Services, and the Irving Arts Center. The wireless access points
will give employees wireless access to the city’s network from their computer tablets or laptops. Access
includes the Internet, e-mail, software applications and network drives.

July 9
Strategic Goal No. 8: Sound Governance
Service Desk Software – City staff is in the process of evaluating potential vendors for its service desk software.

June 25
Strategic Goal No. 6: Effective Communications
IT Quarterly Staff Luncheon – In order to further increase internal communication and foster a team
environment, Information Technology hosted a quarterly staff meeting on June 20. Exercises were
conducted during the event to promote team mentality and the importance of working together. Staff from
the Emergency Management Office (EMO) also participated in the meeting to communicate the role of
EMO during an emergency situation and to outline each department’s roles and communication protocols
during a disastrous event.
Strategic Goal No. 8: Sound Governance
On-the-Spot Awards – City employees continue to strive for excellence not only in the provision of
service to their internal and external customers, but also in the performance of their jobs. City
management recently awarded On-the-Spot Awards to the following employees for outstanding effort:
A’wana Abraham (Financial Services); Rodney Adams (City Attorney’s Office); Melissa Cranford (City
Attorney’s Office); Stacy Day (Planning and Inspections); Ray Horton (Code Enforcement); Lukas
Kratochvill (Code Enforcement); Saul Pedregon (City Attorney’s Office); and Hong Sae (Information
Technology).

May 21
Strategic Goal No. 6: Effective Communications
IT Technology Showcase – The Information Technology Department will host an Information Technology Showcase for city employees on May 30 in the Central Library Auditorium. The event will feature many of the city’s technology vendors who will demonstrate their latest products, services, strategic projects and programs. All city staff is welcome to participate.
Strategic Goal No. 8: Sound Governance
Election Presentation Process Streamlined – The City Secretary’s Office and Information Technology (IT) Department improved the election presentation process to announce the results of the city elections in a more efficient manner. As election judges delivered the ballots to Dallas County, the City Secretary’s Office entered the voting results and provided immediate updates to residents who gathered at City Hall. This new process also eliminated the need for four IT staff members to be present during the election result reporting, and provided an improved visual display of election results at City Hall and on the city Web site.
2008 Texas Technology Forum – Information Technology Director Hong Sae was chosen to participate on the Texas Technology Forum Advisory Board for this year’s forum. This event will feature a one-day conference with a technology expo, followed by a full-day of in-depth technical training on topics including project management, contract management and technology trends. The forum will be held July 28 in Arlington.

April 16
Strategic Goal No. 8: Sound Governance
GIS Software Upgrade – Information Technology staff has upgraded a portion of the current GIS software, as well as moved the software to a new server. The software upgrade will improve quality, performance and scalability of the GIS maps for users, and the new server will speed up the display of the GIS maps. The testing of this upgrade is being conducted and is expected to be fully implemented by the end of May. The GIS software is being used by the city for the benefit of economic development, land use, tax parcels, and planning and analysis.
Strategic Goal No. 9: Infrastructure Network
Computer Room Upgrade – The Information Technology Department is upgrading the computer room at the Criminal Justice Center. The upgrade will consist of new electrical panels, new uninterruptible power supply, and new cables and wiring to replace aging equipment that has reached its maximum capacity. The project is expected to be completed by August.
Wireless Access in City Facilities – The final phase of implementing wireless Internet and network access in city facilities is being conducted by Information Technology. This project includes city recreation centers, Housing and Human Services, and the Irving Arts Center. The wireless access points will give employees wireless access to the city’s network from their computer tablets or laptops. Access includes the Internet, e-mail, software applications and network drives. This project should be completed by August.

April 2
Strategic Goal No. 6: Effective Communications
Citywide Information Technology Communication Plan – Information Technology has recruited
an outside consultant to evaluate the city’s internal and external customer wireless/wired needs,
as well as the resources within the city organization. The consultant also will assist in creating a
comprehensive request for proposal for the final project initiation. This project will help complete the
technology gaps in the city’s communication network.
City Web Site Statistics – The city Web site continues to be used as a valuable information resource
for residents and others interested in Irving. Web site statistics for January-March are as follows:

• Video on demand – There has been a 173 percent increase in the use of this resource. Staff has expanded the availability of videos produced by Irving Community Television Network (ICTN) on the site, and additional video will be implemented soon. There is a video on demand section on the Web site, and video links have been packaged with news articles on the home page.
• Web pages viewed – More people have been visiting the city Web site, a 45 percent increase over the past three months; 573,000 pages were viewed and 4.5 million hits were received.
• •Most popular pages – Library and Catalog, Police, City Employment, Information Technology, Police Recruiting, Crime Statistics, Parks and Recreation, Court and Tickets, ICTN, and City Council and Agenda.