ROLE
AND DUTIES
STAFF
BUDGET
HIGHLIGHTS / ACTIVITIES
New Data Systems Department Established
Year 2000 Issues
Internet
Web Site Project
Computer
Operations
Computer
System Upgrades
Telecommunications
Network Upgrades
Computer Support
Computer Training
Special Projects
ROLE AND DUTIES
The Department of Data Systems is responsible for
managing and operating the County's main computer system and its telecommunications
network. The department processes the County's important financial applications such as
accounting, budget, purchasing, payroll, sewer billing, and inventory control. 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. The
department also plays a leadership 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 by various County departments and agencies.
STAFF
Data Systems Department has
16 positions:
Director of Data Systems
Private Secretary
Data Processing Manager
Data Processing Systems Analyst II (4)
Data Processing Systems Analyst I (4)
Data Processing Support Coordinator
Computer Operator II
Computer Operator I
Data Processing Clerk (2)
BUDGET
The operating budget for Fiscal Year l998-99 was
$ 653,843.
HIGHLIGHTS /
ACTIVITIES
New
Data Systems Department Established
In the November 1998 election, voters approved an
amendment to the Hawaii County Charter to establish a new department to coordinate data
processing activities on a countywide basis. Effective March 1, 1999, the former Data
Processing Division under the Department of Finance became the newly established
Department of Data Systems
Year 2000 Issues
The County is actively preparing for the Year
2000 (Y2K). Substantial work was completed in this area during Fiscal Year 1998-99.
Numerous workshops were held, presentations were made at County Council meetings, periodic
status reports were issued, and Y2k information was provided to the news media and placed
on the County's web site. A Year 2000 readiness statement was made available to the public
through the Mayor's Office. Also, representatives from the Data Systems Department and
Civil Defense Agency have attended and participated in numerous Y2K related planning
sessions and community awareness forums.
The County also activated a special Y2K project
under the Civil Defense Agency to address Y2K contingency planning and preparation related
to essential community services that Big Island residents depend upon to meet their basic
daily living needs. The mission of the project also includes building public confidence
for safety and welfare matters that may be impacted by Y2K. The County Civil Defense
Agency is establishing a community-partnering program with essential service providers and
related organizations on the Big Island to enable meaningful dissemination of Y2K
readiness information to the public from credible sources.
Of significance, as of June 30, 1999, all Y2K
related hardware and operating system upgrades for the County's central computer system
and the majority of its other computer systems, computer applications, and PC systems have
been completed.
Internet Web
Site Project
The County of Hawaii activated its official
Internet web site at "www.hawaii-county.com". The site contains a
variety of interesting material including tables, maps, photographs, and a calendar of
events.
Below is a brief summary of the various
information pages on the County’s web site:
Mayor's Page
contains the mayor’s photo, a welcome message, and background information.
County
Council Page contains a message from the Council Chairman, information on council
districts, and photos and background information for each council member.
General
Directory Page lists each County department and agency, along with addresses,
telephone numbers, hours of operation, general summary of services performed, and names of
administrators.
Photo
Gallery Page has a variety of photos of County facilities and employees at work.
Calendar
of Events Page shows dates and times of upcoming council meetings, hearings, and
other County government related events that may be of interest to the general public.
County
Data Book Page contains the most recently published County of Hawaii Data Book
showing demographic and other statistical data compiled annually by the Research &
Development Department.
County Annual Report
Page contains the most recently published County Annual Report.
Parks &
Recreation Page has general information on P&R facilities around the island. A
click on a point of interest on a Big Island map will provide a photo and information for
a specific park.
Employment
Opportunities Page has information on how to find out about current County
government job listings through the County's Civil Service Department.
Budget
Information Page shows summarized budget data.
Status of
Bids Page lists current public bids issued by the County's Purchasing Division.
Building
Permits Page shows various monthly summary reports for building permits issued.
Y2K
Status Page contains general information regarding the County's Year 2000
preparations.
County
General Plan Page contains the complete copy of County's current General Plan
including text, color maps with land use designations, and imaged copies of all amendments
enacted by ordinance since 1989.
County Charter Page contains a
copy of the 1991 County Charter along with the 1994, 1996, and 1998 amendments.
Hawaii Links Page contains links
to other web sites that may be of interest to the general public such as the Big Island
Film Office, Big Island Agriculture, University of Hawaii, Police Department, Panaewa Zoo,
Hawaii State government, and Federal government web sites.
E-Mail Page allows
the general public to utilize Internet e-mail capabilities to request information, make
suggestions, file a complaint, etc.
Computer Operations
An uninterruptible power systems (UPS) was
installed in the main computer room in the County Building to provide protection from
power fluctuations and enable quicker recovery and less down time during power outages. In
addition, a new, more efficient and reliable air conditioning system was installed in the
computer room.
Nearly all standard reports have now been
converted to laser printed output. This has improved efficiency and lowered operating
costs. The initial phase of installing a new method for printing payroll and accounting
system checks was implemented. The new system enables the County to print background
information, magnetic ink encoded warrant numbers, and authorized signatures on stock
paper via a laser printer. This will eliminate the need to purchase special forms and will
provide greater control over the layout and modification.
Computer
System Upgrades
Many computer system and software upgrades were
completed during the year, primarily as a result of preparation for the Year 2000. As a
result, several older computer systems were replaced with modern, more cost effective PC
technology.
Telecommunications
Network Upgrades
The County is revamping its telecommunications
network. Expanded "dial-up" access to our central computer system is replacing
older, more expensive technology. Conversion to frame relay technology for communications
between County sites on the Big Island and other government computer systems on Oahu is in
progress. These changes will yield long term savings while improving overall performance,
efficiency, and reliability.
Computer Support
Improvements were made to overall computer
support by establishing special "help desk" phone numbers that County government
employees can use to report computer problems. Anti-virus protection software for PC
systems and LANs was enhanced.
Computer Training
Data Systems Department expanded its in-house
computer training, particularly in the PC area. Classes are now offered on a recurring
schedule for the more commonly used PC packages such as Microsoft Word, Excel, Windows 95,
etc. Also, special training classes are provided to various County departments and
agencies as they convert from older computer systems to PC systems.
Special Projects
Advice and assistance were provided to County
departments and agencies in various special project areas. Some of these include:
