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SAN DIEGO - San Diego Data Processing Corp. (SDDPC), which provides information technology services and support predominantly to the City of San Diego, has launched a program to convert its data center to solar power and undertake other initiatives to use renewable energy and improved efficiencies to better serve its customers.

The concept is being championed by Steve Romeo, board member and well-known technology industry executive with BREG, a Vista-based medical device company. Romeo introduced the concept for transforming SDDPC at a recent SDDPC board meeting. The strategic road map included adopting new technology, creating cost savings and competitive advantages by converting its data center to solar power, attracting additional business from other government agencies in the region to create economies of scale and improved pricing to make its services more competitive, and creating a "new culture of lean."

Romeo will work with an internal task force at SDDPC to create a green road map for going forward and present to the board for approval.

"The transformation will focus on current and future customer needs and how SDDPC can be more competitive with for-profit firms, while retaining the close relationship it has with its main customer, the City of San Diego," said Romeo.

Laura Atkinson, director at SDDPC, outlined other concepts that the IT organization is pursuing in the transformational program. In addition to savings from the green initiatives, Atkinson said SDDPC is looking at utilizing third-party vendors to assist in the delivery of certain services to lower the overall cost structure to the city. On pricing, SDDPC conducted extensive internal assessments and gap analysis. An independent consulting firm provided data on how SDDPC compared with the IT market in general. The study showed that SDDPC currently provides an array of non-standard, customized services to the city, so direct comparisons with for-profit firms couldn't be made in all categories.

Reed Vickerman, chairman of the board, asked Romeo and the SDDPC teams to move quickly in developing a cogent strategy that can be presented to the city. Vickerman, vice president of corporate operations for Amylin Pharmaceuticals, cited examples from his more than 20 years experience in information technology for transforming technology organizations.

"The goal is to reengineer as fast as possible and further improve its competitive cost structure," he said. "This transformational program will be a win-win for the city, SDDPC and its many fine employees who want to keep improving on all fronts so SDDPC not only keeps its relationship with the city but adds new ones with other governmental agencies."

SDDPC was created by the city over 30 years ago to provide IT support without the purchasing and personnel challenges associated with government. As a vital part of the city operation, SDDPC draws on its long-standing history, strong working relationships and intimate knowledge of all departments to provide rapid response to city needs, even in times of emergency. It is a trusted, cost-effective and responsible partner to the city operating side-by-side with city staff in 34 departments at 400 locations to ensure the best interests of the city and its taxpayers is met 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Its goal is to provide services that benefit not only the city, but surrounding areas that count on IT support for public safety, library, water and trash collection services. It has been honored with a "Best in Class" award and ranked in the top 10 percent of the entire industry, far above many for-profit businesses, by Gartner, Inc., one of the world's leading IT research and advisory companies.

Contact:

Don O. Del Rio
General Counsel
San Diego Data Processing Corporation
(858)581-9703
ddelrio@sddpc.org