Dickinson County is taking proactive steps to optimize its server management by moving away from third-party solutions. During a recent county commissioners meeting on January 29, IT Director Dustin Parks revealed that the cost of their current server management software would rise to $45,000 annually. This financial burden, coupled with underutilization of the software, prompted the department to explore alternatives.
Recommendations from hardware vendor Lenovo included a substantial plan involving the return of existing servers for retrofitting, which would entail a total cost of $205,000, encompassing software and hardware adjustments. However, Parks decided to pivot towards an internal management strategy utilizing Microsoft’s Windows Server hypervisor—already included with the county’s recent server license purchases—effectively eliminating recurring licensing expenses.
By adopting this approach, the county aims to decrease management fees, alleviate hardware upgrade pressures, and enhance flexibility without being tied to a single vendor. Although there will be a learning curve for staff adapting to the new system, this transition is seen as more economical than continuing with unfamiliar software.
Parks noted that the original licensing cost of approximately $25,821 would still be necessary regardless of the management decision, but what matters is the potential financial relief from a $20,000 refund from Lenovo for unperformed prepaid services. This refund could significantly offset the new expenses, keeping the project largely within budget.
Additionally, the county will retain and repurpose the existing servers for backup purposes, which is expected to bolster overall system performance and stability. Parks emphasized that this development allows the county to build its server infrastructure with intention, rather than resourcing reactively. Overall, this initiative reflects a strategic leadership shift aimed at reinforcing the county’s technological capabilities.