1997-10-23 Agenda & Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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I Linteroffic • MEMORANDUM to: Computer Software Team of Authorities from: Mary Saarion subject: Info re. Athletic field permits procedures date: September 15, 1997 This past week I visited seven of our neighboring communities to hear about and observe first hand their procedures for athletic field permit procedures. The seven cities that I visited include: New Brighton, Shoreview, Arden Hills, Roseville, Blaine, Fridley, and Spring Lake Park. Of those seven cities, only one of the cities use a computerized system for field permits, even though all cities are computerized and use various computer programs for registrations, league scheduling, facility scheduling, etc. I asked each and every department representative why they didn't use a computerized field permit system. A variety of reasons were given. Reasons included that the computerized system is too cumbersome, is not user nor customer friendly and does not improve on the manual procedure. The manual procedure is faster, more flexible, allows for quick changes, takes little or no training and persons need not have a computer to schedule, the overall schedule can be seen with a single glance and the information provided to the customer is much simpler than the computer confirmation. The City of Shoreview has just purchased and updated all hardware to accommodate version of a scheduling system. They did not have a non-windows version prior to this new dow package, but did scheduling manually similar to all the other cities visited. Because their windows version requires speedy computers with large memories, all those using the system had to have hardware upgrades. Their system is new. It will be used for the first time this 1998 season. They understood the frustrations of the cumbersome system that we are using and said that they would have preferred to use a manual system rather than the non-windows version. Shoreview's system is a comprehensive facility management system that will be used for their extensive leisure pool program as well as for park athletic fields. Because Tom and Jerry ( Shoreview staff persons) were unable to answer some of my questions regarding their new system, they referred me to their hardware purchasing to accommodate the windows roIIS person who handled all the set-up and Jim This information was forwarded to Hess so that the two of them could talk and Tim would able to get a handle on the need for hardware upgrades to use the windows version efficiently and effectively in our city. WHAT DID JIM FIND OUT ABOUT HARDWARE REQUIREMENTS? Tim spoke with Richard (SV MIS Coordinator) and received information regarding hardware •needs for effectively using the windows scheduling software program. Jim believes that Marv's current computer will be able to manage the software with an upgrade of additional 16 mg for an additional cost of 3160. The other two computers including mine and temporary employee would