Friday, January 16, 2009

News to Note

State Office for Technology Nixes Statewide Wireless Network Contract

The New York State Chief Information Officer and Office for Technology (CIO/OFT) announced this week that the vendor awarded the $2 billion contract to build the Statewide Wireless Network (SWN) has failed to deliver a satisfactory and acceptable public safety communications network and is in default of the contract. As a result, the State has exercised its right to terminate the contract with MA/COM, Inc.

 

Operational testing conducted by CIO/OFT in November 2008 revealed M/A-COM failed to satisfactorily remediate fifteen of the nineteen deficiencies, rendering the network unacceptable for public safety use. Additionally, Federal Engineering, Inc., the independent validation and verification firm hired by the State to assure the network meets contractual requirements revealed similar unsatisfactory remediation results per the SWN contract. 

 

"We are extremely disappointed M/A-COM has failed to demonstrate the reliability of their OpenSky technology, especially its network and subscriber radios, which are the core of the system," said Dr. Melodie Mayberry-Stewart, Chief Information Officer and Director of the New York State Office for Technology. "Per the terms of the contract, we have given M/A-COM every opportunity to remediate existing deficiencies. However, the state's testing concluded M/A-COM is unable to deliver a system that meets the needs of New York State's first responders as stated in the contract." (Adriano Bongiorno)

Source: NYSAC Weekly Wire for the week ending January 16, 2009

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Revisions to Benchmark & Strategic Plan

Dear Committee Members - Attached you will find the Strategic Plan in its current form and a newly revised Benchmark for SLC.  You’ll remember we discussed revising the benchmark to make it more appropriately match our plan.  Jennifer French & I reworked the benchmark, and now would ask individuals to revise The Assessment section in 3. WHERE ARE WE AND WHERE ARE WE GOING? in each of the industry segments covered by our plan.  I am reaching out to the individuals who earlier participated in revising those sections for input and revision.  Please review the attached benchmark, and check to be sure the rating and description most closely represents the current status of your industry segment.  Your help in completing this process prior to our meeting on the 22nd is appreciated.  If you can make submissions to me by 1/20, I will update the plan and have revised versions for everyone to review at the meeting on the 22nd.

 

As a reminder, I’m including a list of those participants:

  • Jennifer and Helene = K-12 Education sections
  • Phil D. = Healthcare
  • Marc and Phil W. = Business and Industry
  • Mike, Francine, and Rick J =  Government
  • Greg/Kevin = Higher Ed
  • Laurel Goolden = Community Based Organizations
  • Laura P = Library, Agriculture & Tourism

 

If you have questions or comments regarding this process, or the status of the plan please feel free to contact me.  Thank you again for your ongoing help.  –Laura

 

 

 

Laura J Perry

 

Home/Office:

28 Cassidy Rd.

Parishville, NY 13672

 

V - (315) 265-4233

C - (315) 267-6857

F - (775) 261-9009

E - laurap@slic.com

IM - LauraSlic

 

1/22 Meeting Reminder & Agenda

Happy New Year Everyone! 

I trust folks had a good holiday season, and are now ready to hit 2009 running.  The tough economic times we now face will no doubt cause additional challenges for the work that lay ahead.  Investments in technology are predicted to decrease in 2009 as precious dollars are allocated elsewhere.  This comes at a time when available applications and network capacity offer greater opportunity for efficiency and service than ever before.  In light of the tight economic times, our new federal & State administrations continue to offer lip service to the need for universal broadband access and improved information technology.  With St. Lawrence County’s Information Technology strategic plan nearly complete, we have never before been better positioned to improve the availability and adoption of technology in St. Lawrence County.  As a committee, it is our task to put the plan to work – utilizing opportunities to improve technology in our community.  I thank you for your past service on this committee, and look forward to your much needed service in the coming year.  To that end, I have drafted an agenda for the 1/22 meeting.  Please submit any additional items you may have.  -Laura

 

St. Lawrence County

Information Technology Advisory Committee

Meeting Agenda

1/22/09, 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Location: Human Service Building, 2nd Fl Conf Room

 

1.     Welcome New Committee Members & Meeting Attendees

 

2.     Review/accept minutes from 12/18/08 meeting

 

3.     Strategic Plan

 

4.     2009 Work Plan

 

5.     Old Business

a.     St. Lawrence County IT Director

b.    Wireless Technology Discussion - Phil Wagschal

2009

 

6.     New Business:

 

Questions & Discussion

 

Action Items for Next Meeting

 

Next Meeting: TBA

 

 

 

Laura J Perry

 

Home/Office:

28 Cassidy Rd.

Parishville, NY 13672

 

V - (315) 265-4233

C - (315) 267-6857

F - (775) 261-9009

E - laurap@slic.com

IM - LauraSlic

 

Monday, January 12, 2009

IT Director Position posted

For Your Information – The newly created St. Lawrence County Information Technology Director position has been posted as of 1/9/09.  Below is the listing as shown on Dice.com. 

 

Title:

St. Lawrence County Information Technology Director

Skills:

Supervisory experience

Date:

1-12-2009

Description:

ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY DIRECTOR

The work of the Information Technology Director involves responsibility for administering and directing countywide information technology (IT) activities. The incumbent plans, directs, and coordinates all county IT operations and activities, establishes IT policies, procedures and standards, and coordinates and administers IT contracts. The incumbent also either directly provides or assigns IT personnel to provide technical assistance and advice to county departments regarding the identification and solution of a variety of data processing and systems design and analysis problems. The work is performed under the general direction of the County Administrator with leeway allowed for the use of independent judgment in carrying out the details of the work. Supervision is exercised over the work of subordinate staff. Does related work as required.

A civil service exam will be required for a permanent appointment.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

(A) Graduation from a regionally accredited or New York State registered College or University with a Bachelor's Degree in management information systems, computer science, information technology or closely related field AND five (5) years experience in network administration, information systems management or computer programming, two years of which shall have been in a supervisory capacity; OR

(B) Graduation from a regionally accredited or New York State registered College or University with an Associate's Degree as defined in (A) AND seven (7) years of experience as defined in (A), two years of which shall have been in a supervisory capacity.

SALARY RANGE: Salary and excellent benefits package dependent upon experience.

A detailed job description and qualification statement for the position can be found at:
www.stlawco.org/Central_Services/SLCCSJobPostingsList.htm

Send resume and letter of application to Karen St. Hilaire, St. Lawrence County Administrator, 48 Court Street, Canton, New York 13617. Application Deadline: January 30, 2009. AA/EOE.

Karen St. Hilaire

St. Lawrence County Government

Court House

48 Court Street

Canton, NY 13617

Phone: (315) 379-2276

 

The following is a list of where this position will be advertised:

{The Advance Newspaper (Official Legislative Newspaper)  January 11, 18, 25                    

{The Ogdensburg Journal                                                January 13, 15, 20, and 22         

{The Courier Observer (Official Legislative Newspaper)       January 13, 15, 20, and 22         

{The Plaindealer                                                             January 13 and 20                     

The Watertown Times                                                     January 11, 15, 18, and 21

Monster.com                                                                 Posted

Dice.com (thanks Laura)                                                 Posted

NYSAC website                                                             Posted

St. Lawrence County website                                          Posted

 

Laura J Perry

 

Home/Office:

28 Cassidy Rd.

Parishville, NY 13672

 

V - (315) 265-4233

C - (315) 267-6857

F - (775) 261-9009

E - laurap@slic.com

IM - LauraSlic