The City of Lafayette is moving forward with a new computer system to handle day-to-day operations. The Board of Works approved a recommendation to purchase the package from Tyler Technologies Munis.
Lafayette information technology director Andy Milam says the change will mean better service for employees and residents.
“We want citizens to be able to log into their utility account and be able to manage their account online,” he says. “We’re looking for employee self-service capabilities – log into a portal and see how much sick and vacation time they have left, make changes to their insurance, etcetera.”
The cost over five years is $1.26 million, which includes the software, installation, training and maintenance. Milam says the system will save money on paperwork and eliminate some software being used now.
“This is going to allow us to eliminate a lot of paper shuffling between departments and help us be more efficient.”
Board of Works chairman Gary Henriott says Tyler Technologies Munis’ service plan also should benefit city staff and residents, compared to what happens with the current provider.
“Everything stopped. You had to incorporate new stuff, new training, all the process,” he says, “whereas getting things incrementally given to you, where you can change things on-the-fly, may not be quite so intrusive.”
Milam says the new software package is more intuitive, has better content management and a barcoding feature to help with inventory. The new system should be installed in January, but he says it will take two years to fully implement it.
