Monday, July 03, 2006
Fewer bugs in system, but still no savings | TheNewsTribune.com | Tacoma, WA
Fewer bugs in system, but still no savings TheNewsTribune.com Tacoma, WA: "More than 2 1/2 years after Tacoma installed its multimillion-dollar computer system, city officials point to progress in working out the bugs, increasing user training and gaining efficiencies.
But the $75 million investment has yet to deliver promised savings in city payrolls. And many employees still struggle to use it. Among the unresolved issues:
� Auditors complain that clunkiness in some areas creates a potential for accounting errors that won�t get caught.
� Installation and care of the system added employees to the work force, rather than cutting workers through automation as originally promised. Five extra customer service representatives remain on the job in utilities, in part to handle greater workloads as a result of the more sophisticated software. The computer services department ballooned in both budget and personnel; about 50 workers remain dedicated to the division that maintains the citywide network.
� Employees still complain the software is difficult to use and that they lack adequate training and user manuals. Auditors in February called for �a major investment in training� to help the city wring the most from the system. That hasn�t happened."
But the $75 million investment has yet to deliver promised savings in city payrolls. And many employees still struggle to use it. Among the unresolved issues:
� Auditors complain that clunkiness in some areas creates a potential for accounting errors that won�t get caught.
� Installation and care of the system added employees to the work force, rather than cutting workers through automation as originally promised. Five extra customer service representatives remain on the job in utilities, in part to handle greater workloads as a result of the more sophisticated software. The computer services department ballooned in both budget and personnel; about 50 workers remain dedicated to the division that maintains the citywide network.
� Employees still complain the software is difficult to use and that they lack adequate training and user manuals. Auditors in February called for �a major investment in training� to help the city wring the most from the system. That hasn�t happened."
