Information Technology

For general inquiries, please call (714) 741-5225

Garden Grove's Information Technology Department has been featured in various trade publications and newspapers for its pioneering use of Open Source software. The City has been running its network on Open Source software since early 1995 and continues to look at utilizing it more because of its advanced features, stability, flexibility, and cost savings.

Systems Development

The System Development division is responsible maintaining enterprise and business-specific applications across all City departments. Services include:

  • In house system development utilizing Agile development tools and an open source database; Ruby on Rails and PostgreSQL respectively
  • Geographic Information Systems (GIS) using ESRI and open source software
  • Website maintenance using the Drupal content management system.
  • RFP and contract management for 3rd party application purchases
  • Data integration with all 3rd party applications
  • Project Management for all software implementations whether 3rd party or in house.

Systems Support

Garden Grove's Operations Support Group, a section of the Information Technology Department, supports all City end-user devices, networking equipment, and operational support of numerous servers and systems. The team manages and supports over 550 desktops, laptops, and in-car computers; Tablets and other mobile devices are also supported. The support group also manages the City's LAN and WAN networks that connect dozens of facilities through City owned fiber networks.

The City takes advantage of many Open Source technologies to provide stable and secure services. File, print, and domain services are provided by Linux/Samba servers. Directory services and authentication services are provided by OpenLDAP and FreeRadius. Linux firewalls and routers are also used extensively throughout the City. Additionally, numerous Open Source tools are used for monitoring, support, and tracking of the City's enterprise computing environment.

Data Center Technologies

*Maintain a 24/7 data center with Cisco switches, HP and IBM servers, the VMWare vSphere virtualization hypervisor, and a mix of Windows and RedHat Linux server operating systems

  • Local backups utilizing VEEAM Backup & Recovery and ExaGrid storage
  • D/R Colocation with AIS in one of their San Diego data centers

Graphics and Word Processing

Graphics

The City retains two graphic artists to create and maintain the hundreds of publications, brochures, flyers, reports, and publications produced each year. Using software such as Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign.

Graphics creates some of most visible publications including the City Annual Report, Police Annual Report, Chamber of Commerce brochure, Garden Grove Community Foundation Annual Report, the Parks and Recreation Guide, and the Connections News Magazine. Graphics also manages official City letterhead, logos, creates business cards, award certificates, signs, and posterboards. The staff works closely with the Reprographics Division to create timely, high quality publications.

Word Processing

Word Processing provides electronic document services to all departments in the City. These services include converting paper forms into electronic forms, updating and maintaining internal manuals, and offering training and support for Office productivity software. The Word Processing staff is also intimately involved in the budget process, updating documents and spreadsheets throughout the year to prepare the annual budget. In addition, the staff offers centralized fax services and coordinates maintenance of fax machines.

Training

Our staff also offers several classes a year to help City employees improve their computer skills. Basic and advanced classes are offered on Microsoft Word and Excel, the two most commonly used programs in the City. Classes are also offered when new technology is deployed to employees, like Windows 7, or the many tools offered on the City's intranet. Attendees get hands-on experience in the IT Computer Lab, and a booklet to take back to their desk with reference information.

Reprographics and Mailroom

The Reprographics and Mailroom manages the City’s internal and external mail and printing needs. Reprographics prints most of the documents and artwork produced by the Word Processing and Graphics Division on either a two-color press or high speed copiers. Reprographics also performs over 100 high volume duplication and printing jobs for other departments each month.