Title
An Ordinance approving an amendment to an agreement between the City of Lee's Summit and Advanced Utility Systems to upgrade the City's CIS Infinity software and authorizing the City Manager to execute the same by and on behalf of the City. (F&BC 6/14/21)
Body
Issue/Request:
The Water department is in need of an upgrade for its core operating software, CIS Infinity. Advance Utility Systems the owners of the CIS Infinity software, has provided a complete scope of services for the work, and they are the only firm that can complete the work.
Key Issues:
• The software went live in 2012, and has not had a major step upgrade since that time.
• The software is central to the function of the water department including managing accounts, billing and banking, notices and letters. Holds meter records, and manages the integration with meter reading software
• While still supported, the version we are on has led to increased response times for assistance.
• The new software version will create efficiencies with existing work processes including online options and mobile device support.
Proposed Committee Motion:
I move to recommend to City Council approval of an Ordinance approving an amendment to an agreement between the City of Lee's Summit and Advanced Utility Systems to upgrade the City's CIS Infinity software and authorizing the City Manager to execute the same by and on behalf of the City.
Background:
The initial implementation of the CIS Infinity software was in 2012. The software has been patched though the years. Over the last several years, Water department staff completed the necessary research to make sure the version would meet requirements, and was problem free. Having a local jurisdiction (Independence) successfully implement the version was helpful in the decision to make the move to the version four of the CIS Infinity product.
In addition to the elements listed in the Key issues section, version four of the software sets the stage for future versions that will be web based.
The back-end operations of the system will also be improved. The upgrade includes a database redesign, as well as a software redesign. The current software and database design are not designed for optimal performance in today’s computing environments.
There are also a number of minor bugs that have been present for many years. There have been fixes to these that are included in the version for release. Water would like to take advantage of these fixes.
Impact/Analysis:
Water has budgeted for the expense of the project, and the ITS labor needed for the effort has been allocated. The positive impacts of the new version of the software will reduce staff time, and data entry. Moving to a version that a neighboring city (Independence) is running creates opportunities for information and assistance exchange.
Presenter
Stephen Marsh, Chief Technology Officer
Recommendation
Recommendation: Staff recommends approval of the contract.
Committee Recommendation
Committee Recommendation: [Enter Committee Recommendation text Here]