Item #
Brief Description of Requirements Y/N Supplier’s Brief Explanation of the Capability
1
The vendor’s solution Software shall be based on an open and modular platform that allows for customization and added value to the District or a third party vendor. If the software Supplier were to cease operations or to discontinue support of the software
routing solution, the full source code of the software shall be supplied to the District.
Y U.S. Computing’s Compass solution is architected on the world renowned ESRI technology platform. ESRI is the recognized leader in setting standards for all GIS and Map Enabled routing technologies. Compass has been built using ESRI API (Application Programming Interfaces or Tools) and standard Web technology including Javascript and AJAX. These are openly available and easily acquirable tools used by thousands of programmers and software developers in the industry. These facts make the supporting of the Compass routing solution by the district even more feasible, possible and easy in the very unlikely event of US Computing discontinuing support of the product. U.S. Computing offers a third party software Escrow program through Iron Mountain. The school district may subscribe to this Escrow plan which would immediately give the district access to the full U.S. Computing product source code in the unlikely event of US Computing discontinuing support.
2
The vendor’s solution Software shall be fully web browser or thin client-based including all routing features with appropriate internet security features. If the vendor’s solution
Software shall be fully functional functions with the use of a web browser it shall be compatible with in all modern web browsers such as Google Chrome 21+ to Internet Explorer 8+, Mozilla Firefox 14+. The vendor’s solution Software shall be based on HTML and CSS standards and not solely rely on any proprietary web browser plug-ins or add-ons to function (e.g. Microsoft Silverlight or Adobe Flash). Any Software updates that effect the functionality of the vendor’s solution shall be provided in a timely manner to keep up with major releases of any non-vendor based web browser software.
Y Web Compass and all of our products are 100% Web Based. We are compatible with all modern Web Brower’s. Our preferred browser is Google Chrome. With Web Compass there are literally no plugin’s necessary to use our solution.
3
All changes to student information, schools, stops, routes, runs and vehicles shall have an easily accessible audit trail.
Y All changes have an audit trail associated with it so that a user can see when a record was changed, what was done, and who did it.
2026 Assembly Street, Suite 103, Columbia, SC 29201 Phone: 803 806 8392 Fax: 803 806 8393
26 Lake County Schools, FL
RFP# 3659DB
the ability to route up to 500 buses per user.
The vendor’s solution Software shall optimize all routes without user interaction.
routed per users. We have various implementations of fleets larger than 1,000 vehicles.
A key component of Web Compass is route
optimization. We believe that software should allow the user to work more efficiently. As a result, user has the ability to optimize all routes without user interaction. User can control optimization settings such as curb approach, U-turns, and priority of meeting time schedule vs. shortest distance.
Once the optimization rules are set, user simply can hit route, and system will optimize using those settings.
5
The vendor’s solution Software shall be capable of running 24/7 with 10 routing staff and at least 200 users viewing data at any given time.
Y Users will always have access to Web Compass and we can support 10 routers and more than 200 users.
6
New stops added shall be either automatically assigned to the nearest route that has available seats and shall not cause a time fault to be incurred or provide user with a list of optional routes to which new stop may be assigned.
N This is currently not available but will be available by Q3 of 2013.
7
The vendor’s solution Software shall allow user to easily create and/or customize reports using all data available. This shall be available by school, student, bus, route and stop or any combination.
Y We support the use of 3rd party reporting systems such as Crystal Reports for report customizations.
Web Compass features many pre-created reports for instant access by users
8
The vendor’s solution Software shall calculate costs and distance for each time a route is developed.
Y Costs of routes are calculated for each route and distances (route path, not as the crow flies) are calculated and displayed as well.
9
The vendor’s solution Software shall notify user when bus being routed is within a given percentage of capacity. Capacity to be set by user or from a capacity table assigned to a particular bus which may be different regarding the type of student or grade level of the school being serviced.
Y User had the ability to set specific capacities for each bus. % capacities can be used as well. If a route is attempted to be built that would exceed this capacity, they system will provide a pop up explaining why it cannot build the route.
In addition, Web Compass features Multiple Vehicle Profiles (MVP) that allows users to set multiple vehicle configurations including capacities for a single bus. When routing, user simply selects the desired profile and it is used when building routes.
10
The vendor’s solution Software shall have a field trip module included that is fully web- based or thin client-based with appropriate security credentials.
Y Our field trip solution is 100% Web Based and has a full security system that is primarily based on login. Other features of the field trip solution includes:
email notification
Trip calendar
Mass creation of trips for Athletic Directors
Billing
Driver/Vehicle Availability
Driver Database
2026 Assembly Street, Suite 103, Columbia, SC 29201 Phone: 803 806 8392 Fax: 803 806 8393
27 Lake County Schools, FL
RFP# 3659DB
preferred to have the capability to download a route or changes to a route to an onboard navigational device on a bus while it is en route.
portable XML format files called .GRF files. These can be read for generation of voice turn-by-turn directions by mobile device software such as ESRI Navigator. Compass can also be integrated to work with certain TOMTOM devices as well.
12
The vendor’s solution Software shall allow a user to add an unlimited number of attributes (e.g. seating, special needs, fuel efficiency, driver/monitor cost & maintenance cost) to buses and attributes shall be taken into consideration when assigning buses to routes.
Y Web Compass is a true Geographic Information System (GIS). We are built on esri™ technology. As a result, many different attributes can be taken into consideration when assigning appropriate buses to routes. We meet all of the items listed in the question. If there are different factors you would like us to consider, we would be more than happy to work with the district.
13
The vendors’ solution Software shall warn user if user attempts to place a stop more than a specified distance from a school. The value of this distance will be determined by the user for each individual school or school type.
Y Web Compass will verify the location of a proposed stop against many different factors including distance from school, hazard zones, walk zones, or other data that district may have. If a stop is trying to be placed within a specified distance, there is a pop up that warns the users of the possible violation.
Distances are controlled by the user for each individual school or type and not in bulk or mass.
14
The vendor’s solution Software shall provide a list of new students that have entered the District and a list of students who have changed address locations from the previous day.
Y We are going to create an integration with your student information system so that changes are automatically brought into Web Compass and appropriate changes made.
Each morning users can access a dashboard that will display all changes that have occurred from one day to the next. User can drill down to see an overview of changes or specific changes at the user level.
15
The vendor’s solution Software shall be able to place barriers to block off certain streets based on time of day or day of week or range of dates.
Y Barriers can be placed on the map to block off streets including date ranges.
16
The vendor’s solution Software shall be able to store eligible rider count as well as estimated real rider count for each stop and have the ability to run scenarios using this information.
Y User can store eligible rider counts and real rider counts.
17
The vendor’s solution Software shall be able to perform automatic tiered route generation.
Y Web Compass features a powerful automatic tiering tool that will link together your routes by vehicle. Our solution is calendar based; users have the ability to view their fleet picture from a one day to the next.
Our tiering module also includes the ability to click and drag routes from one vehicle to another, with the system taking into consideration time and distance of the proposed move. If there is a time or distance violation, system will give a pop up letting the user know.
2026 Assembly Street, Suite 103, Columbia, SC 29201 Phone: 803 806 8392 Fax: 803 806 8393
28 Lake County Schools, FL
RFP# 3659DB
18
The vendor’s solution Software shall have the ability to employ real-time GPS tracking in the following manner:
A. Vehicle Tracking Interface must be web based and a part of the primary software and not a separate application.
B. Must be able to compare actual route driven to planned route and provide report of time and mileage.
C. Supplier shall stay current with industry standard GPS technology.
Y We have the ability to integrate with GPS tracking such a ZONAR and SEON.
Our solution is part of Web Compass, meaning that a user does not need to access another program. We also overlay the GPS data over the planned routes so that the user can truly see what is happening vs. the planned route.
Web Compass can also display additional GPS features on the map such as cold start, motion stop, stop arm, speed violations and more.
In addition to the graphical representation, reports are available to show the planned vs. actual routes with how much time they were early/late from the planned arrival time.
US Computing always strives to be a leader of technology and in doing so will stay current with industry standard GPS technology.
19
The vendor’s solution Software shall be able to reassign a stop from one route to another route directly on the map.
Y This is currently not available but will be available by Q3 of 2013.
20
The vendor’s solution Software shall produce tiering report reflecting the routes along with the assigned driver, bus and starting/ending times.
Y This is a part of our tiering module. Tiering shows all routes for all buses by day of the week across a timeline. Reports can be produced and printed for supervisors, drivers, bid sheets, and more.
21
The vendor’s solution Software shall have billing capabilities in an export report format that can identify students, stops, runs and routes to bill on a monthly basis or track FTE.
Y All of our reports can be exported to excel. Users can also access the SQL backend to generate custom reports if needed.
22
Supplier shall be able to provide onsite training for staff. On-site training shall be available for a maximum of 50 District employees for at least 8 hours at an introductory level and for a minimum of 20 District employees for at least 3 days at an advanced level. Webinars and virtual web- based training should be available, at no extra cost, for the duration of the contract. All training shall be reviewed and approved by the Transportation Supervisor.
Y Our training is first rate and includes 5 days of onsite training.
For the size of staff specified in the question, we will have two trainers onsite and can break up the training as mutually agreed upon.
Our training is hands on using district data so ideally, each user would have a workstation to use during the training.
23
Supplier shall be able to provide user support from 6 am to 7 pm Eastern Standard time Monday thru Friday on a standard business day.
Y Support is available during the times specified in the question.
2026 Assembly Street, Suite 103, Columbia, SC 29201 Phone: 803 806 8392 Fax: 803 806 8393
29 Lake County Schools, FL
RFP# 3659DB
24
The vendor’s solution Software must contain a Work Flow Module that contains the following:
A. Special Education transportation/change request Web submissions
B. Special education change request process tracking. C. User interface shall be through
a standard Internet Browser or thin client.
Y Web Compass has what we call the Student Support Services Portal. Here users outside of transportation can submit transportation change requests by student. This can be for specifically special needs or general education as well. This is a completely Web Based application, so there is no software to install on individual workstations. This is important when managing an entire district that could be accessing the system.
The workflow is as follows:
1. User log into Web Compass. This login is specific to them and they go straight to the Student Support portal (they do not access the transportation section)
2. Search and find student they need to request a change for
3. Use our intuitive interface to indicate what the change is and when it needs to be effective
4. Transportation can see the change that has been submitted and make appropriate changes
5. User can login and see that change has been processed.
6. Dates, times, and usernames are tracked so for reference
25
The vendor’s solution Software shall be able to attach any type of external file data to a student record and have this data utilized by the software and appear on selected reports.
Y Users can attach documents in many different formats to student records. For custom data fields that can be utilized for reports, we have a custom field section that can be used for district specific data and reporting.
26
The vendor’s solution Software must is preferred to have the capability to be able to export routing data into file formats consumable by ESRI Network Analyst tools so as to support District’s current investment and training in ESRI technology.
Y Web Compass is built using esri™ products and US Computing is an esri™ business partner. Web Compass is built using ArcGIS Server and Network Analyst for server. With our solution, there is no need for conversion.
27
Exclusive access to the vendor’s solution Software shall be limited to upgrades only; all other functions shall be able to be performed without exclusive access.
Y Access to the solution can be completed controlled and managed by LCS.
28
The vendor’s solution Software shall be able to automatically and optimally group stops into runs and routes without the user having to pick which stops need to be assigned to which routes. The vendor’s solution Software shall be able to optimize such groupings based on multiple parameters such as total mileage, operational cost, capacity of bus to be used for the route, equipment available on the bus assigned to route and required time window.
Y This is a key function of Web Compass. User can simply select the stops (either from a list or directly from the map), choose any number of vehicles and the system will automatically build optimized routes. System will take into consideration any parameters set by the user when building the route. More than one route can be built at a time. System will use the minimum amount of vehicles needed to optimally build the run(s).
29
The vendor’s solution Software shall be able to run and be maintained on and function with DecisionEd©.
Y We have a lot of experience with 3rd party software integrations. As long as there is a database we can access, we can integrate with it.
2026 Assembly Street, Suite 103, Columbia, SC 29201 Phone: 803 806 8392 Fax: 803 806 8393
30 Lake County Schools, FL
RFP# 3659DB
30
The vendor’s solution Software shall allow users to move existing stops to new locations and all students, along with their attributes, will stay assigned to the stops after the move. This should be accomplished in a single process.
Y Users can move a stop directly on the map with just a few clicks of the mouse. All students and stop attributes are preserved.
31
The vendor’s solution Software shall notify user when adding stops if stop is placed in an area where stops are not allowed. Areas where stops are not allowed to be defined by user or imported as a GIS layer file.
Y Because we are a true GIS solution, this is easy for us to accomplish. We can be use the GIS layer file (no conversion needed) and use this to notify the user when they try to place a stop in a restricted area.
32
The vendor’s solution Software shall be able to use student data in the format as provided by the District.
Y We can use student data as provided by the district
33
Supplier shall commit to staying current on all technologies and shall have the capabilities for any additional student growth incurred by the District.
Y US Computing Inc is a leader in the transportation industry. We pride ourselves with being trendsetters in technology.
34
The vendor’s solution Software shall store its data in a common RDBMS (Relational Database Management System) and provide a full schematic (schema) of the table layout and all table relationships and transferred to a Microsoft SQL data format.
Y LCS will be provided with the requested schema’s
35
The vendor’s solution Software shall automatically assign new students to existing bus stops and notify user if an overload will occur by assigning students.
Y When a new student comes into the system they will be assigned automatically to a bus stop that fits their eligibility requirements (including hazard areas). If there is an overload situation as a result of this new
assignment, the user will be notified via an onscreen popup.
36
Any notification of users by the vendor’s
solution software shall be accomplished on a dashboard type of display.
Y Web Compass has an on-screen dashboard that includes all of the up-to-date transportation and student statistics for the district.
37
Supplier shall provide the minimum and recommended hardware specifications necessary to adequately run all vendor
software applications by the end user.
Y Server Requirements (district hosted solution)
Windows 2008 R2 64 Bit OS
SQL Server 2008 R2
Multi-threaded and 64 Bit.
8 CPU cores recommended.
16 GB or more RAM
At least 1 TB drive space in a redundant configuration
At least One Gbps NIC cards
ArcGIS Server Advanced
Network Analyst for Server
Clustered and Mirrored Configurations are also possible. Details can be provided upon request.
End User Browser Requirements