The Computer Services Division is responsible for City-wide computer operations. This includes hardware and software purchasing, support, repair, and maintenance. The City of Ashland first invested in a computer network in 1988 with 15 work stations at City Hall. Since then the network has grown to include over 130 work stations, serving more than 170 computer users at City Hall, Public Works, Fire Station #1, the City Shops, and the Council Chambers. The division provides computer support in all forms: software and hardware selection and purchasing, day-to-day consultation for computer operators, hardware diagnostics and repair, and maintenance of both network hardware and software. Most computer operations are served by the network, including word processing, spreadsheets, electronic mail, personnel scheduling, accounting, utility billing, permit processing, police computer-aided dispatch, publications, and computer-aided design. The current network configuration consists of seven fileservers. Two of the main servers can store up to 12 gigabytes (12,000 megabytes) each using RAID disk drive technology. All workstations run with Windows 95 and are Pentium class machines. In addition to the fiber optic backbones, every segment of the network has been upgraded to Category 5 twisted pair cable, allowing the entire network to run at 100 mbps (megabits per second). All network files are backed up automatically each weekday evening to a cassette tapes only slightly larger in size than a credit card. The network is a state-of-the-art system, positioning the City to be able to serve the public efficiently and effectively. In addition, the City is poised for future technological advances with a solid hardware and software base.