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TO: Mayor Thomas J. Weisner
FROM: James J. Dahl, MIS Director
DATE: January 26, 2016
SUBJECT:
Request for authorization to purchase replacement Cisco network equipment and consulting services from Sentinel Technologies, Inc. in the amount of $777,714.00 for City Hall, Water Production, and Fire Station #8.
PURPOSE:
Cisco Systems and Sentinel Technologies have partnered to provide network hardware and services for the City of Aurora since 2007. Cisco has assigned Sentinel Technologies as the preferred channel partner servicing the City of Aurora. As such, Sentinel provides design and planning Network Engineers at no cost and offers discounts not available elsewhere.
BACKGROUND:
In 2007 the City of Aurora standardized on Cisco network switch and routing equipment to build a city-wide fiber network. In subsequent years, the City grew the network in phases and implemented other Cisco solutions (i.e. VOIP). This request is designed to replace equipment from the original 2007 Cisco purchase. The equipment being replaced will be removed from Cisco support in 2016.
DISCUSSION:
The IT department as identified all Cisco equipment that will be removed from support over the next three years, and will purchase replacement gear prior to losing support. This will ensure the useful life of equipment is maximized, and at the same time ensure the network is kept up-to-date and supported.
In the past, through Sentinel the City of Aurora has received a 46% discount on Cisco hardware and a 13% discount on the initial year of SMARTnet maintenance. Sentinel has teamed with Cisco to increase these discounts to 54.9% and 23% respectively. As the City of Aurora's assigned Cisco channel partner, these discounts are only offered through Sentinel and no other channel partner is able to match these prices.
Costs associated with this purchase are:
- $709,574.00 for replacement Cisco hardware and SMARTnet (a parts list is at...
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