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Approve a three-year contract through December 31, 2028, with AMS.Net in the amount of $414,385 for the Library to move to versions of Office 365 and Voice-Over-Internet-Phone (VOIP) phones independent from the County system
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Published Notice Required? Yes ____ No _X _
Public Hearing Required? Yes ____ No _X _
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
The Department of Library Services recommends that the Board approve a three-year contract through December 31, 2028, with AMS.Net in the amount of $414,385 for the Library to move to versions of Office 365 and Voice-Over-Internet-Phone (VOIP) phones internet phones independent from the County system.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The Department of Library Services has long been a part of the County’s Microsoft Office 365 and VOIP systems. The Library now wishes to migrate to its own versions of both Office 365 and VOIP. The Library already maintains the majority of its own network systems and applications and has experienced staff supporting these systems.
The action being requested will increase network security for both the Library and the County by creating a layer of separation between the Library’s network and the County’s network. Having separate versions of both Office 365 and VOIP phones will further separate the Library’s resources from the County’s resources. This means that if a network anomaly takes place on either network, the separation will allow the other network to remain safe and operational. The Library will also have increased control over these two products, allowing for greater flexibility while increasing security.
AMS.Net will provide the Library with both procurement and technical support to migrate the Library to its own versions of both Office 365 and VOIP. AMS.Net will also maintain the Library’s connections to the County’s vital resources such as SharePoint, Intellitime, Peoplesoft, etc.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There will be no impact to the County General Fund. Financing for this three-year contract is from the Library’s FY2024/25 Working Budget, Fund 004, and will be included in future years’ requested budgets.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board could elect to require the Library to continue to use the County’s Office 365 account and phone system; however, this is not recommended because separating from the County’s system will increase network security.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Department of Information Technology (DOIT) is collaborating with the Library on this process.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION