Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Chief Operating Officer.

The report of the Chief Operating Officer was submitted to appraise Members of the progress of implementation of the Strata business plan.

Members were advised that the main elements of the new IT infrastructure - data centre, WAN and main computers - had been completed in 2015, overcoming several challenges. They had provided the foundation for the delivery of the virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) to roll out the Global Desktop to all staff members, with 419 having been globalised to date.

A major problem with software from VMWare had delayed the Desktop globalisation process - completion in Exeter would now be early April, with an expected late May start in East Devon and a September start in Teignbridge.

In response to a Member, the Chief Operating Officer commented that the Global Desk Top offered flexibility to the users enabling them to have remote access to their desktop and it also resulted in a reduction in IT support and was easier to undertake upgrades. It was anticipated that Exeter Councillors would move over to ‘Office 365’ towards the end on this year.

Strata Joint Scrutiny Committee considered the report at its meeting on 17 March 2016 and its comments were reported.

RESOLVED that the progress of the Implementation Plan be noted.