Bryon Horn, CIO of Fresno, has worked for the city for more than 13 years. Officially appointed to the CIO position in June, Horn is making moves to bring the region up in the IT world. In an interview with Techwire, Horn discusses the responsibilities of the Information Services Department (ISD), the various initiatives his team will be implementing in 2017 and future opportunities to watch out for. Here’s a look at four of them:
ERP REPLACEMENT: ISD is making moves to replace its PeopleSoft system used for payroll and human resources with a new enterprise resource planning (ERP) solution. Horn noted that the department had halted certain projects, including ERP replacement, as a result of the economic downturn that started almost a decade ago. However, ISD will now be going forward with the project, with plans to look further into ERP options in the next year.
APP EXPANSION: In 2016, the city launched FresGO, an application that provides local residents a mobile solution to submit service requests, such as graffiti removal and code enforcement violations. Horn highlighted the app’s recent accomplishments with reports regarding vacant buildings and water issues. In the wake of this success, ISD intends to expand FresGO in the coming year.
BROADBAND BUILD-OUT: Fresno has some big projects in the works that center around establishing a citywide fiber-optic network. The city issued a Request for Qualifications on Oct. 21, looking to find one or more partners in the telecom industry that could assist Fresno in building out its high-speed broadband network. Horn said he will be meeting with the 13 companies that submitted responses beginning this week, and staff will start narrowing down options at the end of this month.
The Fresno Department of Public Works has built a substantial network of conduit- and fiber-based intelligent transportation system infrastructure that several institutions have been able to connect to, including the city of Clovis, Fresno County and its Office of Education, and Fresno Unified and Clovis Unified School Districts.
As these ITS efforts build out the network in the northern and eastern parts of the region, ISD is leveraging a recycled water project to help continue expansion in the west. Public Utilities will be laying conduit as construction of the recycled water system is carried out, allowing ISD to go back in and connect fiber. Horn said this initiative will help deploy improved Internet connection in city parks using the new recycled water system. ISD has been developing a “fiber master plan,” outlining the aforementioned projects.
COMPUTER LAB GRANT: In addition to expanding broadband, ISD is working with the Parks and Recreation Department on a computer grant to put more equipment in local labs. The tools used in these computer courses administered through Parks and Recreations are provided by the city, and services and IT support are offered through a community-based organization.
