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December 7, 1984 <br />Page 2 <br />A possible future use of a personal computer would be its use <br />as a terminal for data entry to the Ramsey County computer or <br />to an in-house computer system should the City acquire one in <br />future years. I have discussed the possibility of the use of <br />a personal computer as a terminal for data entry to the Ramsey <br />County computer with Ramsey County Department of Data <br />Processing personnel. I have been advised that such a use is <br />feasible and practical at this time. A modem and a terminal <br />software package would have to be acquired at an estimated <br />cost of $500.00 in order to communicate with the County's <br />computer. Use of a personal computer for this purpose would <br />allow clerical staff greater access to the present word <br />processors. Should an in-house computer system be purchased <br />in the future a personal computer could serve as a terminal <br />for the majority of computer systems presently on the market <br />today. Many cities that have recently acquired in-house <br />systems have had several personal computers as part of their <br />total system. <br />Another future use of a personal computer would be use in <br />elections counting center operations. Staff has been <br />approached by a vendor who is marketing a system that utilizes <br />a high speed card reader attached to a personal computer (IBM <br />XT) to count and tabulate the ballot cards we presently use <br />with our equipment. Staff is in the process of obtaining a <br />proposal from the vendor. Preliminary indications are that <br />the card reader and software for such a system would cost <br />approximately $4,000.00. The City will be receiving a <br />demonstration of this equipment in March. <br />I have obtained proposals from Computoservice, Inc. and <br />Teleterminals, Inc. for an IBM XT Personal Computer. The <br />proposal from Computo Service is $5,879.00 and the proposal <br />from Teleterminal's is $4,390.75. Teleterminal's price is <br />lower because they were awarded a contract by the State of <br />Minnesota to provide IBM equipment to State departments and <br />agencies. The City is eligible to buy equipment under that <br />contract under terms of a cooperative purchasing agreement <br />with the State. <br />I have received quotations for a payroll system of $1,500 from <br />Computo Service and $1,550 from Teleterminals. I have been <br />given a demonstration of the Computo Service system and <br />believe it well suited to our needs. I have not seen the <br />system offered by Teleterminals, however, I understand it is <br />presently being used successfully in several Minnesota cities. <br />0 <br />An Electronic spread sheet software program should be <br />purchased for use in preparing budgets and audit worksheets. <br />Lotus 1,20 is the best spreadsheet program currently on the <br />market. It sells for $375.00. 0 <br />