The city of Champaign is in the beginning stages of connecting city employees to a network that allows them to work from their home computers.
The online program, developed by Stoneware Inc., connects employees to the city's network in a secure manner, said Richard Schnuer, the city's finance director. Each user has individualized access. For example, the staff member who does payroll would be able to access the payroll program.
"What it allows us to do is without really installing any software on our users' computers, the ability to connect to applications internally and securely," said Joe DeWalt, the city's network engineer.
Schnuer said that Stoneware would be useful in case of a pandemic, such as swine flu.
"If something became serious, if it was really separate from the normal flu, we would want to keep people separated," he said. "In a case of a pandemic, you really don't want people getting together."
He said the program would also be useful in other instances.
"Certainly it could be something more common, such as just a bad ice storm, where it's not safe for people to be driving," Schnuer said. "And if we're encouraging the public not to drive, we certainly don't want city employees to be driving."
Though under 20 employees have Stoneware installed so far, DeWalt said he believes maybe 150-200 of the 600 city employees will get the software. He said at this point it will be used for more emergency-related situations, but eventually it will be simple enough that employees can use it for everyday work.
"We're just starting out on this," DeWalt said. "We're barely starting the project at this point. We're barely scratching the surface with what we're doing with this. It could really be used for quite a bit."
Michael La Due, councilman from District 2, does not have the software installed, but he thinks it will be helpful as long as employees do not use the software excessively.
"I think it's marginally helpful," La Due said. "I don't think it should exempt people from coming into work. I'd hate to think there'd be department heads that are hiding out at home working on computers. You expect people to be at work."
The online program, developed by Stoneware Inc., connects employees to the city's network in a secure manner, said Richard Schnuer, the city's finance director. Each user has individualized access. For example, the staff member who does payroll would be able to access the payroll program.
"What it allows us to do is without really installing any software on our users' computers, the ability to connect to applications internally and securely," said Joe DeWalt, the city's network engineer.
Schnuer said that Stoneware would be useful in case of a pandemic, such as swine flu.
"If something became serious, if it was really separate from the normal flu, we would want to keep people separated," he said. "In a case of a pandemic, you really don't want people getting together."
He said the program would also be useful in other instances.
"Certainly it could be something more common, such as just a bad ice storm, where it's not safe for people to be driving," Schnuer said. "And if we're encouraging the public not to drive, we certainly don't want city employees to be driving."
Though under 20 employees have Stoneware installed so far, DeWalt said he believes maybe 150-200 of the 600 city employees will get the software. He said at this point it will be used for more emergency-related situations, but eventually it will be simple enough that employees can use it for everyday work.
"We're just starting out on this," DeWalt said. "We're barely starting the project at this point. We're barely scratching the surface with what we're doing with this. It could really be used for quite a bit."
Michael La Due, councilman from District 2, does not have the software installed, but he thinks it will be helpful as long as employees do not use the software excessively.
"I think it's marginally helpful," La Due said. "I don't think it should exempt people from coming into work. I'd hate to think there'd be department heads that are hiding out at home working on computers. You expect people to be at work."
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