HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Packet - September 6, 1994 - CC (EM® 0 OF AZUSA 6 ...
Finance Department • 213 E. Foothill Blvd. • P.O. Box 1395 • Azusa,CA 91702-1395
(818)334-5125
AGENDA ITEM
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: GEOFF CRAIG,DIRECTOR OF FINANCE )
VIA: HENRY GARCIA, CITY ADMINISTRATOR
DATE: AUGUST 30, 1994
SUBJECT: PURCHASE OF COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK HUB FOR CITY
HALL/WEST WING/LIBRARY COMMUNICATIONS
Background
City Hall, West Wing and Library staff have a growing need to exchange more data and to
communicate electronically through the use of data-sharing networks. In order for the various
networks to communicate more efficiently, it is necessary to purchase an expanded bandwidth
hub for installation at the City Library. This report recommends that Council waive formal
sealed bidding and award the purchase to the lowest quoter.
Findings
City Hall, West Wing and City Library staff use electronic data transmission as a rapid and
convenient means of sharing data files, copying correspondence and accessing reference
materials. Communications are handled through the use of electronic routing switches, or "hubs"
that receive transmissions and forward them to the appropriate communications network and/or
work station. Many of today's applications require more transmission capability or "bandwidth"
than is available on the City's current equipment; moreover, some users require constant, or"high
priority" communication,while others can be served on a lower-priority basis. Finally, it is
important that the communications be electronically scheduled to go back and forth
simultaneously in "packages", in "Full Duplex" mode.
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Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
August 30, 1994
Page 2
New equipment is available from the Alantec Co.,the Lannet Co., and the Kalpana Co. that can
handle these needs and is being used by various hardware manufacturers such as Hewlett
Packard and IBM to provide their own products with the fastest approach to switching EtherNet
data in the market today. City Computer Services staff has worked with multiple vendors to
develop specifications for the new equipment,to evaluate the various models and to obtain
budgetary quotations. Staff found the Kalpana equipment to best suit the City's needs because it
offers the fastest throughput with the least "corruption" of the data in the receipt of the
transmitted data"packets". Staff would like to purchase the following. Funds are budgeted in
the Information Services project for 1994-95:
Kalpana EtherSwitch Model#EPS2015-M041 $ 7,545.00
EtherNet AUI to ThickNet Adapter, Lantronix LTX-5 139.00
With Council approval, staff will obtain informal written bids from various vendors such as
Wilson/Olson, TSA& Hahs, and Advanced Inter-Systems, and place the order with the lowest-
cost alternative.
Recommendations
Staff recommends that Council dispense with formal sealed bidding for the purchase of a high-
bandwidth EtherSwitch and ThickNet Adapter and authorize staff to award the purchase to the
vendor that provides the lowest written quotation that meets the City's data communications
needs.
GJC/CD/
etherswi.cou