Sudoku and Microsoft: A Winning Combination for City Officials

In a recent move, city officials have signed a three-year deal with Dell and Microsoft to upgrade their technology infrastructure. This partnership will not only bring new features but also enhance cybersecurity measures, making it easier for the city's over 12,000 employees to work efficiently.

Under this agreement, Microsoft Forms will be used for public surveys, while Microsoft Flow will automate workflow processes. Additionally, Microsoft Planner will simplify task and project tracking, and Microsoft Bookings will enable citizens to book appointments with city officials using Outlook calendars. Furthermore, existing applications from Microsoft will receive new features to improve overall functionality.

The city's decision to partner with Dell and Microsoft was driven by a desire to modernize its servers, upgrade to Windows 10 and Office 365, add software features, initiate Teams collaborative tools, and leverage cloud services more effectively. By choosing the lowest bidder, the city has secured a deal that is 1.8 percent cheaper than the second-lowest offer.

The agreement was reached after city officials shopped around for the best pricing, considering bids from nine licensed service providers. In the end, they opted for Dell and Microsoft's proposal due to its competitive edge.

In related news, the Defense Department has also been able to secure better rates through a similar partnership with Microsoft. This underscores the potential benefits of collaborating with major technology companies to drive down costs and enhance functionality.

One key factor in the city's decision was its partnership with Riverside County, which leverages the combined purchasing power of over 900 government agencies across California. This collective bargaining approach enabled the city to negotiate the best rates possible for its technology needs.

With this new agreement, the city's employees can expect improved collaboration tools and enhanced cybersecurity measures. As the city continues to rely on roughly 16,000 devices and 800 servers all operated by Microsoft software, this partnership will play a crucial role in supporting their daily work.

Sudoku microsoft