The counties Information Technology (IT) Department provides consulting, programming, training, and problem solvinng services to other county departments and their employees.

The department is responsible for evaluating the needs of the various departments, designing integrated solutions, acquiring the needed computer equipment, software and supplies, to adequately meet current and future needs, facilitate implementation, train county employees, monitor progress, adjust for changes in needs or regulations, and make improvement and corrections as needed.

The goal of the department is to provide the highest possible service to county employees so they can serve the public and carry on the business of the county.

The county currently contracts with Computer Arts Inc. to provide the many different types of software programs needed for the different departments. The State Tax Commission also helps by programming for the Assessors and the Treasurer Offices.

History

Bingham County started automating their office functions with modern computer equipment in 1981. An IBM system 34 with two printers and a faster system printer replaced a Burroughs computer and punch card machines. 

In 1982, Computer Arts Inc. was contracted as a consultant to automate the Clerk's office with other clerk's offices throughout the state. The system was upgraded to an IBM system 35 with more terminals and printers. Additional upgrades were made with the purchase of an IBM AS/400.

 Now most of the terminals and printer have been replaced with PC's and network printers. Our current network contains 7 servers, The AS/400 for Assessor and Treasurer office, 5 Windows 2000 servers for Law enforcement and other county offices, and 1 Exchange server for web and email. We have over 200 PC attached to the network. The county is currently configured  with a T1 line for internet access and email,  a fiber optical line to connect the Juvenile Probation Center with the court house.

Future Service Projections

Computer technology is always changing to meet user needs. The need for computer access and use will continue to grow as the demands for more detailed tracking and reporting are placed on the county by government regulations, law enforcement, and public requests. We are currently running a 100Mb network with 1GB backbone over copper wiring we are looking to upgrading to fiber 1GB network to enable the sharing of information, software, and equipment between the different offices at county and state levels.

In the Clerks office we are using scanners to scan in documents such as deeds, deeds of trust, marriage licenses etc., and store these documents on a optical jukebox. We are looking at finding away to scan in old documents from paper and microfiche to get all documents online.

For the Assessors, Public works, Planning and Zoning, and Sheriff's Office we are installing a Geographic Information System (GIS) from ESRI which will allow us to bring up online maps of the county and associate data with the graphical information.

In Law Enforcement we are using digital cameras to take pictures for bookings, crime scene, and evidence which is saving money that is usually spent on film and development.