Information Technology Services
ICT Services
Swale Borough Council's ICT Team look after the desktop, server and network equipment for all staff as well as the telephone system and mobile phones. We often receive Freedom of Information requests relating to these subject areas and are committed to responding clearly and quickly within the confines of the Act.
Part II, section 21 of the act describes exemptions to such provision, specifically where information has already been made available by other means. This page has been created to help you by providing information which you may require.
Click on the topic below to get to the relevant section:
Staff and Resource Management
Equipment
Telephones
Data Processing
Security and Networks
Systems
Staff and Resource Management:
Q: How many staff are employed in the ICT function?
A: As at September 2011 there are 9 full time and 1 part time staff. Of these, there are 5 service desk, 2 GIS (Geographic Information System) / LLPG (Local Land Property Gazetteer) and 2 analyst/programmers and a Head of ICT.
Q: Can I see a staff structure chart?
A: Yes, you can download a copy of the current structure chart in Adobe Acrobat PDF format.
Q: Who is responsible for network security / GCSx Code of Connection / ICT project management / database management?
A: The Head of ICT.
Q: Can I have contact details for your Head of ICT?
A: The Head of ICT is Tony Bullock who can be contacted on 01795 417264.
Q: Who is the best contact for mobile phone and landline contracts?
A: Julie May, Service Desk Manager who can be contacted on 01795 417402.
Q: Is your infrastructure managed internally or outsourced?
A: Infrastructure is managed internally, although work is underway to share this across a total of three local authorities.
Q: Are your desktop computers managed internally or outsourced? If outsourced, to which company?
A: Managed internally.
Q: Is your Systems Development/Applications Management managed internally or outsourced? If outsourced, to which company?
A: Managed internally.
Q: How many sites store data?
A: A single site currently has a data storage function.
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Equipment:
Q: How many desktop computers are in use?
A: 285
Q: How many laptops are in use?
A: 29
Q: What sort of network switches do you use?
A: HP and Cisco
Q: How many "thin client" devices are in use?
A: 72
Q: How many printers are in use?
A: 79
Q: Which makes of printer do you use?
A: HP and Ricoh
Q: Which server platform do you use?
A: Windows Server 2003 and Windows 2008 Server are the only systems currently in a "production" environment.
Q: Do you use IBM / PCM mainframe computers using z/OS, z/VM, z/VSE?
A: No
Q: Do you use any flavour of UNIX operating system?
A: We no longer use UNIX in a production environment.
Q: How many physical servers are in use?
A: Approximately 20, with plans to move most into the virtual environment.
Q: How many virtual servers are in use?
A: Approximately 75, with more being virtualised every month.
Q: How many individual users are there on your network?
A: 427.
Telephones (landline and mobile):
Q: Who supplies your telephony services?
A: Mobile phones and contracts are purchased through Vodafone and landline calls are provided by Southern Communications.
Q: Do you use VoIP (voice over IP) technology?
A: Not at this time.
Expenditure:
Q: How much was spent on ICT in the last financial year?
A: This information will shortly be available on the Spotlight on Spend website.
Data processing:
Q: Do you process electronic payments? If so, how much money is processed per annum through this method?
A: Yes, in 2009/10 £6,483,693.52 was processed using electronic payments cards.
Security and networks:
Q: Are you connected and operationally using the GCSx network?
A: Yes.
Q: Do you use either the Criminal Justice or NHS N3 networks using your GCSx connectivity?
A: No.
Q: Who currently provides your WAN (wide area network)?
A: Kent Public Sector Network (of which Swale Borough Council is a partner organisation) through Unisys.
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Systems:
Q: Who supplies your "xyz" system?
- Business rates - Capita (Academy)
- Burials - Clear Skies (BACAS)
- Call distribution - Macfarlane (Call Plus)
- Car park administration - Imperial (Parking Gateway)
- Council tax and benefits - Capita (Academy)
- CRM (customer relationship management) - Northgate Front Office
- EDRMS - Comino (W2)
- Electoral registration - Halarose (Eros)
- Environmental health - Northgate (M3)
- Financial management - Unit 4 (Agresso)
- Geographical information system - Pitney Bowes (MapInfo)
- Highways - Swale Borough Council are not responsible for this function.
- Housing register - Northgate (SX3)
- Housing repairs - Swale Borough Council are not responsible for this function.
- Intranet - Microsoft (Windows SharePoint Services)
- Land charges - Swift
- Local land and property gazetteer - Aligned Assets (Symphony)
- Office applications - Microsoft (Microsoft Office XP)
- Payroll and human resources - Midland (iTrent)
- Performance management - Covalent
- Planning applications and development control - MIS (Headway)
- Report writing and data analysis - Microsoft (SQL Server Reporting Services)
- Web content / internet filtering - Barracuda Networks
- Website - open source software (Silverstripe)
