Virtual computing is in the future if Moore County wants to improve efficiency and reduce costs.

The Moore County Board of Commissioners accepted this vision with open arms during a Jan. 19 business retreat at the Senior Enrichment Center. The board holds these retreats yearly in preparation for the new fiscal year budget.

“This is the future,” said Board Chairman Larry Caddell.

Caddell was addressing Darlene Yudell, director of information technology, following her presentation encouraging adoption of a program that would streamline computer access for every county department and agency.

“This is the type of vision we need,” said Commis-sioner Craig Kennedy, who added that this is the type of initiative the county should embrace.

Yudell told the commissioners that the county delivers 300 percent more technology today than was the case in 2008, when she assumed her present position.

Virtual computing was defined as a hybrid of the virtual and traditional environment, a system that would create a multi-region data storage capacity to cut cost and boost efficiency.

Cited as one example was the tax department, which sends personnel into the field daily.

These employees must return to the office to enter data into their computers, but Yudell said under a virtual computer system, they could enter data into another device, such as an iPad, the data would be preserved in case of a loss along the way, and the employee would be saved a trip.

The county owns 721 devices, including PCs and desktops, and holds 631 licenses with Microsoft alone. Yudell said the county also runs many other applications under different licenses, of which 37 are large business applications.

Yudell estimated that the county will face replacement costs for computers as old as five years, probably $208,000 in “catch-up investment.”

The 2012 budget will probably include $108,000 to replace one-fifth of the aging devices.

Energy consumption would also be reduced by entering the newer field, Yudell said.

Yudell estimated that the county could enjoy a saving of $40,812 a year in electricity costs, or $408,128 within 10 years, by switching to virtual from the traditional system.

Initial infrastructure investment for entering the virtual computer field was estimated at $438,098 plus annual cost of $50,048.

Without moving ahead into the virtual field, the county will continue to face replacement costs and increasing maintenance costs for repairs and updates of existing equipment.

Yudell said that virtual computing would also allow employees to use their own computers at home if and when that is a preference or more convenient without cost to the county.

The initial cost did not faze the commissioners, who agreed that the step must be taken to stay up-to-date and save money in the long run.

Commissioner Nick Picerno expressed the opinion that sufficient funds can be found without any negative impact on the taxpayer.

“This vision is right on,” Picerno said.

Picerno said such a program should ensure sufficient capacity in the new technology and should be built into all new buildings serving the county.

“We need to minimize cost into the future,” Picerno said.

Commissioner Tim Lea proposed that the item be placed in the budget soon to be developed for 2012-13. He commended Yudell for the work accomplished in bringing the system up-to-date since she joined the county.

County Manager Cary McSwain called technology “absolutely essential for county operation today.”

Florence Gilkeson wrote this article prior to her retirement.