Office of Information Technology
Ensuring the EBCI has the highest quality of technology services
The employees of the Office of Information Technology have worked diligently to ensure the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians have been provided the uppermost quality of technology service.
We are proud to announce that the Office of Information Technology officially became its own division in FY18 and provides the following services:
- Desktop Support
- Infrastructure Services
- IT Operations
- IT Project management
- Network Security
- Outside Plant Fiber Optic Network Management
- Software Engineering and Support
- Telecommunications
Software Engineering and Support
Mission Statement
We are committed to delivering innovative, cost-effective, secure, reliable, and integrated technology software solutions that support EBCI’s programs and initiatives. We follow the fundamental principles of customer care, attention to detail, value proposition, and ongoing innovation.
Vision Statement
Achieve increased operational and strategic effectiveness and efficiencies in business processes by delivering business solutions through information technology.
Responsibilities and Services
- Provide applications that will enhance the work environment by analyzing the information needs from an operational and strategic perspective. By partnering with tribal programs, we can understand their software technology needs and assist with determining the best option moving forward.
- Ensure that software meets business requirements and goals, fulfills user requirements, and identifies and resolves systems issues.
- Plan and coordinate activities such as systems design and programming of new applications, installation and upgrading of commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) software, and implementing Software as a Service (SaaS) applications. Assist programs with Sharepoint sites.
- Evaluate software proposals in order to identify potential problem areas and make the appropriate recommendations. Recommend any additional hardware or software requirements needed for successful software deployments, configuration, or maintenance. The software must meet OIT’s policies and guidelines.
- Liaise with software companies for prompt rectification of any problems or emergencies when requested by tribal programs.
Desktop Support
Projects and accomplishments:
- Hired second helpdesk to provide better phone support, service pro management, and computer order process.
- Came up with a better policy within our department to get service pro tickets done in a timelier manner.
- Started upgrading and replacing old Windows computers. Roughly 120 out of 900 are complete, not including replacements.
Infrastructure Services
Projects and accomplishments:
- DHCP Conversion (static IP addressing to Dynamic Host configuration IP addressing)
- Installation of Unified Computing System
- Finance Departmental Relocation
- Finance Node Removal
Telecom
Projects and accomplishments:
- Council House Power and Audio/Video Upgrade: This project began about four years ago and included planning and complete overhaul of the electrical system as well as the Broadcast system. Original estimates for the Audio/Visual system alone were around $250,000, with the final product coming in around $190,000.
- Three of the seven cellular towers have been completed and are serving the community well. Mt. Noble is expected to begin construction in October, if all goes according to plan, and Hyatt Cove is nearing a start date.
- Fiber optic deployments are at an unsurpassed high for the department. We have worked with contractors and PMs to deploy the fiber optic for the cellular towers along with our normal building moves, adds, and changes. Finance, Council House reroute, Snowbird Treatment Center, and Snowbird Child Development are additions to the fiber route that have been installed and are functioning or are close to functioning. With the soon-to-be-completed addition of our Network building, located on Knight Street in Robbinsville, we will be bringing online our Tribal programs in Graham County as well as beginning the deployment of our ODAS Cellular system to the Snowbird Community.
- The Finance Building move was a huge success in relation to planning and execution. The building’s logistics were worked out with the contractor as well as a reroute of the fiber optic ring to accommodate the need for keeping the Council House and TOP online while we made the move out of the finance node of the fiber ring. We continue to plan for the demolition of the back-Finance Building, which includes the final moving of all data feeds out of this fiber optic node.
Cherokee Broadband
Projects and accomplishments:
- Three out of six new tower sites were built that have allowed for broader coverage of the communities served by these towers.
- Moved broadband equipment to the new Long Branch Tower.
- Connected Long Branch Tower to fiber, removing wireless backhaul dependency.
- Hired an OSP plant installer for fiber buildout (need more staff — current average FTTH is taking around two weeks to complete one house due to lack of staff and proper equipment).
- Began planning stages of downtown public Wi-Fi spanning from Saunooke Village to the Island Park and to the casino with seamless 0 handoff relay from AP to AP.
- Began planning stages of FTTH in the Big Cove Loop area covering approximately three miles of new fiber buildout to allow for FTTH.
- Connected Happy Holiday Campground to fiber and enhanced Wi-Fi coverage within the campground.
- Upgraded Wi-Fi equipment in Fair Grounds to improve coverage area for client and vendor access along with the connectivity for allowing streaming events.
- Installed Wi-Fi in the Casino Bowling Alley for public access.
- Connected Mt. Noble Tower to fiber, removing wireless backhaul dependency.
- Upgraded router equipment for CBE Office, Mt. Noble Tower, Fair Grounds, Long Branch Tower, and the casino to accommodate fiber connectivity.
- Installed Wi-Fi in Birdtown community building and Rec Center and Big Y building.
- Began process of bringing Birdtown Tower online for internet access.