Explanation
BACKGROUND: This ordinance NO. 1321-2020 authorizes expenditures of $1,150,000.00 for the upgrade (and support) of Dynamics AX 2012 to Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations (Project ELEVATE) change in project duration due to the COVID-19 public health emergency. This legislation authorizes the City Auditor to modify contracts with OnActuate Consulting Inc., Knowledge Services, Microsoft Corporation/Dell, Navigator Management Partners and/or such additional consultant vendors as may be necessary.
The City implemented Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012, R3 for Public Sector Industry as its financial management system on January 1, 2016. Approximately 600 active users and 7,000 vendor contacts utilize the system. The City was in the process of migrating to Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations, Project ELEVATE, when the Mayor declared a State of Emergency for the City of Columbus related to COVID-19.
As a result of the Declaration of State of Emergency, City resources critical to Project ELEVATE were transitioned over a period of time to working remotely and the majority of project resources were essential employees focused on COVID response efforts in maintaining operations for health, safety and welfare during the crisis. Thus, resource availability for continuing work on Project ELEVATE dropped by over 60%. Progress was made during this time period, but not within the timeframes in the project plan.
The City’s Department of Technology was instrumental in providing remote work capability for employees so they could access Dynamics 2012, which is only accessible from the City of Columbus Network. Without access to the City network, financial operations city-wide would have been significantly impacted. The public health emergency highlighted our need to improve telework capabilities and provide access to the City financial system outside of the City of Columbus Network.
In an effort to improve telework capabilities and support functions of governm...
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