DEPARTMENT: Information Technology
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
title
Authorization To Execute Contract With Lodestar Solutions For IBM Cognos Reporting Software Licensing
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Authorize the Deputy County Manager to execute a contract with Lodestar Solutions for additional IBM Cognos Reporting Software licensing to pursue reduction of expensive ERP licenses.
SUMMARY
Information Technology (IT) currently contracts with Lodestar Solutions for IBM Cognos reporting software used to deliver reports to staff. Cognos is a reporting tool that was originally purchased and put into use with the County’s prior enterprise reporting system (ERP), One Solution. The current contract with Lodestar Solutions for Cognos licensing expires on July 31, 2025. Since going live in 2023, the licensing costs for County’s current ERP system, Dakota Connect, has continued to increase and access to financial data requires expensive licenses.
Re-establishing the core financial reports in Cognos will provide the necessary access to financial data to business staff outside of the Finance Department. The licenses for these staff to have access to Cognos reports is less expensive than the Dakota Connect licensing they currently have. Cognos license counts will need to increase for additional users to get the financial data they need from it, however the costs of this increased number of licenses will be offset by the reduced number of Dakota Connect licenses. The Finance Department has requested Cognos licensing for 200 staff to accommodate financial reporting needs.
The contract with Lodestar Solutions includes 200 end user licenses, two administrator licenses, licensing for two reporting environments, and support from August 1, 2025, through July 31, 2028, for a total cost of $109,905. The amounts are higher the first year to account for the purchase of additional licenses from the current licensing levels. In subsequent years, licenses are renewed at a maintenance rate which is lower than the initial price.
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Staff recommends that the Board authorize the Deputy County Manager to execute the contract with Lodestar Solutions for IBM Cognos reporting software licensing from August 1, 2025, through July 31, 2028, for $109,905.
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EXPLANATION OF FISCAL/FTE IMPACTS
Funding is available in the Information Technology budget. The costs of this increased number of licenses will be offset by the reduced number of Dakota Connect licenses.
Year one initial purchase of licensing and support: $77,332.50
Year 2 licensing and support: $16,045.38
Year 3 licensing and support: $16,527.12
☐ None ☒ Current budget ☐ Other
☐ Amendment Requested ☐ New FTE(s) requested
RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, the County’s current contract for Cognos licensing ends on July 31, 2025; and
WHEREAS, licensing costs for the County’s Enterprise Resource Planning System, Dakota Connect, continue to increase; and
WHEREAS, County licensing for Dakota Connect can be reduced where business staff can get financial data through Cognos reports verses through Dakota Connect.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes the Deputy County Manager to execute a contract with Lodestar Solutions for IBM Cognos Reporting Software licensing from August 1, 2025, through July 31, 2028, in the amount of $109,905 subject to approval by the County Attorney’s Office as to form.
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PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
None.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment: None.
BOARD GOALS
☐ Thriving People ☐ A Healthy Environment with Quality Natural Resources
☐ A Successful Place for Business and Jobs ☒ Excellence in Public Service
CONTACT
Department Head: Tony Gomes
Author: Scott Jara