The Department of Data Systems is responsible for managing and operating the County's main minicomputer system, several PC-based LANs (Local Area Networks), and their related telecommunications networks. The department processes the County's major financial applications such as accounting, budget, purchasing, payroll, sewer billing, and asset management. It provides advice and support for numerous computer applications and computer systems utilized by various County departments and agencies, performs systems analysis and programming functions, maintains data security, and provides in-house computer training classes. Data Systems Department plays a role in coordinating the growth and use of computer systems for the County government and provides advice and assistance on the acquisition of computer systems and software by various County departments and agencies. The department also provides countywide coordination and support in the geographic information systems (GIS) area.

1. Keep computer systems, computer applications, and data processing operations running smoothly.
2. Coordinate and assist county department and agency efforts to implement computer systems and applications consistent with the county's overall priorities and available resources.
3. Plan, coordinate, and assist with the development of a countywide Geographic Information System.
4. Expand and enhance countywide computer networks to enable computer system interconnectivity and information sharing among all departments and agencies.
5. Improve individual employee capabilities and productivity through computer training.
6. Provide opportunities for the general public to access county government records and to transact business with the county government using computer technology such as the Internet.

www.hawaii-county.com or www.co.hawaii.hi.us

The site contains a variety of interesting information, including tables, maps, photographs, and a calendar of events. The following new material was added to the website during the year:

• Civil Service job recruitment announcement flyers
• Fire Commission information, agendas, minutes
• Reapportionment Commission agendas, minutes, maps, hearing transcripts
• Water Board meeting schedule for 2002
• Assorted public works project summaries and information
• Integrated Solid Waste Management Plan (May 2002)
• Building Permit Reports for 2001-02
• Residential construction information sheet
• Hurricane-resistant construction details
• How to obtain a building permit information
• Hawaii Island Moving Forward Program (IMUA)
• Hawaii County Charter - 2000 edition
• Revised election district maps and polling place listing
• Revised Council redistricting plan agendas, meetings, maps
• Annual Report - FY 2000-2001
• Operating Budget Recap for FY 2001-02 and FY 2002-03
• P&R Aquatics Program Guide
• P&R Recreation Division Program Guide
• Hawaii County Comprehensive Strategy for Juvenile Justice
• General Plan Revision update information and maps
• Planning Department forms
• County of Hawaii Data Book (2000)
• Hawaii Island Enterprise Zone information and maps
• Economic Development & Tourism updates
• NACA - Animal control report (September 2001)
• Motor Vehicle licensing and registration Forms
• Real Property Tax website.

Uptime for all of the computer systems that Data Systems Department supports exceeded 99%. For inputs received on time from other County departments and agencies, Data Systems Department met all of its internal processing deadlines.

The County's computer network was expanded throughout the year. Of significance, many organizations relocated to the new Aupuni Center complex which became operational during the year. Data Systems Department installed a fast Ethernet network with a fiber backbone and a LAN server at Aupuni Center to accommodate this relocation. In addition, connectivity to the new Aupuni Center complex and the County Building was established using state-of-the-art wireless technology.

During the past year, the following agencies located within the County Building and Aupuni Center have become a part of the County's network:

The following remote sites were also added to the County's network:

Continuing with its efforts to modernize computer systems when and where feasible, the department reconfigured its Wang minicomputer system to enable decommissioning of older, unneeded equipment. Data Systems Department personnel also migrated the Elections Division older Novell LAN to a current Windows NT LAN and worked on similar migration and networking plans for several other County organizations.

Numerous requests for systems analysis and computer programming assistance by County departments and agencies were handled by Data Systems Department. All the programming change requests mandated by new laws were completed on time.

New software projects undertaken during the year include the following:

• Motor Vehicle Daily Posting for Finance Department/Treasury Division
• Correspondence Log Tracking for Environmental Management Department and P&R Recreation Division
• Project tracking system for the Fire Department
• Timekeeping system for Elections Division to be used for 2002 elections
• Data conversion of legislative actions/images for the 1998-2000 Council term
• Design of comprehensive office management system for Corporation Counsel.

In keeping with our ongoing computer migration plans to replace our older computer applications with more feature-rich modern applications, Data Systems Department has also been working with Finance Department to search for and acquire a new financial system for the County. Similarly, the department is working with both Public Works and Planning Departments to locate new permitting applications for those organizations.

Receipt of a federal grant by the county has enabled Data Systems to assist Civil Defense with the use of GIS technology in support of the development of a Hazard Mitigation Plan. A GIS Analyst was hired to work on this and other related programs.

A Data Processing Support Coordinator was hired. Special computer training classes were conducted for Workers Compensation Unit, Elections Division, Corporation Counsel, Fire Department, and Treasury Division to meet to improve employee productivity. Assistance was provided to numerous County organizations with the installation and configuration of approximately 80 new PC systems throughout the year. Also, Data Systems personnel began a pilot project to accomplish small hardware repairs for desktop PC systems and completed approximately 165 repairs.