Stock Show IT Overhaul Graded 'B'; Oracle Backs up in Colorado Springs.

• Author: KERVEN, ANNE
• Position: Information technology

Talk about high-tech ag: The National Western Stock Show, Rodeo and Horse Show got a $200,000 all-over IT system redesign, which included all-new hardware and software, and wireless in the Events Center and Events Center Paddock. "It's huge," said Brian Smith, vp of operations at PARSEC Group in Lakewood, systems redesigner and the show's official IT provider. The system reduced manual processes by 75010 and the show's 60 databases by half. The system wasn't beta tested, but Smith said it's doing well. "I'd give it a 'B."' ...

No denying the Silicon Valley's power, of all kinds. A whirlwind tour of the land of dot-corn billboards revealed cost-cutting Oracle Corp. Senior VP-Global IT Gary Roberts' plan to reduce the company's 40 servers worldwide to two -- one each in Redwood Shores, Calif., and Colorado Springs. He'll auction off the rest. Colorado also will act as data backup center in case an earthquake or something takes out the main California plant.

Still want to call this Silicon Valley II? CIBER's San Francisco-based Steve Kinstler said a friend just sold a 2,200-square-foot, Silicon Valley condo for $650,000. ...

The Upper Rio Grande Neighborhood Telecommunications Corp. in the San Luis Valley wants to supply its six counties with telephone, telemed, video conferencing --- everything. URGNT plans its first $3 million round of financing for June. URGNT's on the fast track, said President/CEO and Monte Vista School Superintendent Tim Snyder. The goal: local providers keeping money in the local economy.

So what about the state's Beanpole/Multi-Use Network project? Which publicly funds statewide wiring via one general contractor? (US West is bidding.) URGNT could and would subcontract in its area, Snyder said. Still, some San Luis Valley leaders actively favor free-market telecom over government and a one-contractor system.

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