TITLE
Recommendation to adopt resolution authorizing City Manager to execute a contract with Simpler Systems, Inc. (Simpler), for software licensing and professional services for Simpler’s reporting system to be used for the City’s new utility customer information systems (CIS), the land management and revenue (LMR) system, and enterprise licensing for use on all City software applications, for a two-year term not to exceed $290,000; and increase appropriations in the General Services Fund (IS 385) in the Citywide Activities Department (XC) by $100,000. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
In Fiscal Year 2008, the City first contracted with Simpler and began a pilot project to implement better reporting for FAMIS, the City’s accounting system. The pilot project was very successful, and has had an enormous impact on all users of financial data in the City. Since the original project, Simpler’s reporting system has been implemented with the same kind of success for additional financial systems, and now includes data from accounting, purchasing, budgeting, accounts payable, warehouse inventory, and fixed assets. The City's investment in Simpler’s reporting system has resulted in a flexible and easy-to-use reporting environment, enabling City staff from every department to better manage their organizations.
The City is currently implementing a new utility customer information system, and has recently implemented a land management and revenue system, both of which have significant report-writing and data query needs that staff recommends be met by the Simpler reporting tool. Funding for report writing is available in the budgets for both of these systems for a total of $190,000. This cost includes not only licensing, but also specific report development and training. With this purchase, staff has also negotiated the purchase of an unlimited one-time license, granting City staff the ability to use Simpler reporting for any other City system, now or in the future, at a cost o...
Click here for full text