Advanced Fleet Management System (AFMS)
Computers are no longer in homes or offices, they are now on buses. The City has installed computers in their big blue buses as part of the Advanced Fleet Management System (AFMS) project. The AFMS will provide the Big Blue Bus Department with more efficient and effective management transit systems by improving schedule adherence, operational efficiency, quality of service, and passenger safety. In addition, AFMS will provide travelers with real-time departure and arrival information.

Automatic Call Distribution System
Providing exceptional customer service is a top priority in Santa Monica. With final roll-out of the Cisco IP phones scheduled for the rest of the year, the City will implement a new automatic call distribution system. This new system will provide sophisticated call routing and management capabilities.  It will also allow the City's call centers to handle higher volume of calls, thus, provide better customer service. 

Blade Servers
Blade servers are the latest in cutting-edge technology that provide a modular and flexible platform that's well-suited for tackling multi-tier applications in space-constrained data centers.  The servers have 64-bit support, flexible modular components, solid management tools, and enterprise-class scalability and redundancy functionality. The City has installed several HP blade servers and will continue to utilize this hardware to meet future needs of its technology infrastructure.

Centralized Traffic Management System
There is a state-of-the-art traffic management system controlling intersections in the downtown area. The new system enables our traffic engineers to quickly respond to changing traffic needs, helping all of us get on our way more quickly. The initial roll-out is complete and includes traffic signal on Fourth Street, between Wilshire Boulevard and the I-10 Freeway. City staff is working on deploying the new system to the remaining downtown intersections and other much needed traffic management locations. 

City Wi-Fi
Free high-speed wireless internet service at hot spots across the city. Take your wireless enabled computer to Virginia Avenue Park, the Third Street Promenade, City Hall, or any Santa Monica Public Library for a free broadband wireless connection. Watch for new hot spots later this calendar year at the Civic Auditorium and Santa Monica Pier.

I-NET
"Institutional Network" or "I-Net" is the fiber network, consisting of a set of continuous fiber links interconnecting the institutional network hub sites and other locations that provide gigabit Ethernet network services to the City, Santa Monica College and the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District. It also supports for the City's Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) telephone service, analog telephony for the school district and traffic signal management and traffic camera systems. It will provide backhaul for the public safety 4.9 gigahertz wireless network and the free City Wi-Fi Wireless Internet hot spots being implemented in the city. Future applications in progress for the I-Net include water meter reading and roadside signage.

Image and Content Management System
Out with the old and in with the new.  Since 1989, City staff have used FileNet’s Image Services and Content Services Systems to store and retrieve electronic images of police reports and citations, building permits, City Council documents and engineering drawings. A recent spike in demand for access to this content, however, pushed the need for a new system that was both flexible and scalable. In response to the demand, the City will implement a new solution this fiscal year to bring additional needed functionality to its robust imaging and content management infrastructure, including a public browser-based tool for retrieval of all public images and documents stored in a secured repository.

Integrated E-mail and Telephone System
The City will be implementing a powerful unified communications solution known as Cisco Unity.  This new technology provides advanced, convergence-based communication services such as voice and unified messaging on a platform.  This platform will allow internal users to receive voicemail messages in a form of an e-mail.

Local AM Radio Station
Turn on and tune into Santa Monica's new AM radio station.  The City received approval from the Federal Communications Commission for a new radio frequency license and is now in the process of constructing a new local radio station.  The new station will deliver local emergency news and traffic information.  The new station should be up and running by December 2006.  

Municipal Fiber Optic Network (MFN)
The Municipal Fiber Optic Network (MFN) is a City-owned fiber optic network providing redundant high-bandwidth systems for telecommunications and computer networking, including voice, data and video communications.  For more information, please visit http://www.smgov.net/isd/telcomm.

Online Permit System
The City will soon offer building permits information online, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  This online system allows applicants the ability to submit a simple permit application, check the status of an existing permit, and view past permits issued without leaving home or the office. 

Online Utility Billing System
The upcoming online utility billing system offers customers a convenient way to track their water, sewer and garbage collection payments and provides a record of utility usage over time. It is part of the City's effort to give customers access to information whenever they want, instead of only during business hours.

Security Cameras
Public safety is another top priority in the City of Santa Monica.  In response to homeland security concerns, the City has installed over 120 security cameras under and around the Pier, along the Third Street Promenade and in the alleys east and west of the Promenade.  The City believes the presence of security cameras will aid in public safety, and in the detection and investigation of suspicious activity, including potential acts of terrorism.

VOIP
Voice Over Internet Protocol VOIP service uses the City's computer data network for telecommunication services. Telecommunications leased services are reduced realizing savings for the City while providing the same quality of service as analog telephony.