Center for Technology in Government
Builds Partnership to Enhance Intergovernmental Info Systems
CGI, Keane and Microsoft Lend Technology and Expertise
to Develop Prototype
Contact: Karl Luntta (518) 437-4980
ALBANY, N.Y.
(July 22, 2003) -- Today, state and local governments are
connected by numerous and distinct information systems, each
devoted to a single purpose. The University at Albany�s Center
for Technology in Government (CTG) has initiated a broad collaborative
partnership to build and evaluate a State-Local Internet Gateway
Prototype to test an innovative alternative for intergovernmental
work. The prototype is designed to enable participating agencies
and localities to find information, conduct a variety of business
processes and form strategic working relationships through
one common point.
The partnership
includes state agencies, more than a dozen local governments
and three information technology corporations: CGI Information
Systems and Management Consultants; technology consultants
Keane, Inc.; and Microsoft Corporation.
"The question
we are trying to answer is whether it is feasible to conduct
state-local business through one Internet gateway rather than
through the multiple connections used today," said Sharon
Dawes, CTG's director. "This project is the first in
the United States to try to demonstrate and evaluate a completely
different way of working across levels of government."
According to
Dawes, CTG's project partners each bring a critical component
to the development of the prototype. "State agencies
and local governments bring a thorough knowledge of their
service programs and business practices, and our corporate
partners, CGI, Keane and Microsoft bring technical expertise
and experience," Dawes said.
The State-Local
Internet Gateway Prototype, slated for testing in October
2003, will channel three distinct transactions through one
common point.
"The prototype
will demonstrate that we can provide a new channel or common
interface for government to government transactions through
the Internet," said Bill Cunningham, New York State business
development director for CGI, which is providing the platform
on which the prototype will be built. "This testbed environment
will show state and local government officials the potential
challenges and benefits for locating multiple services through
one site."
"One of
the primary benefits of this research project is that it will
demonstrate how business processes that take place between
state agencies and local governments can be improved through
technology," said Joann Dunham, New York State program
manager for Keane. "Improving these business processes
can, in turn, enhance the services provided to citizens, which
is what we're all trying to do."
Microsoft will
provide additional software for the project. "We have
been working closely on the issue of connectivity between
disparate systems, which is one of the major issues facing
transactions between state and local governments," said
Bill Branch, Microsoft's client executive -- State of New
York. "At the end of the day, if we shed more light on
these issues for NYS agencies and local governments, the project
will have accomplished its goal"
Throughout
the project, the Center will examine the policy, management,
technology, and financial factors that influence the development
of the prototype. For more details on the project, visit www.ctg.albany.edu/projects/lg2.
"This
project builds on recent work with local governments in New
York State," said Meghan Cook, project manager and the
lead author of CTG's Making a Case for Local E-Government.
"One of the promises of electronic government is that
technology will enable different levels of government to operate
more seamlessly. This prototype will help us better understand
what it really takes for that to happen."
CTG has produced
other resources designed to support technology innovation
at the local level, including Untangle the Web: Delivering
Municipal Services Through the Internet, and Tying a Sensible
Knot: A Practical Guide to State-Local Information Systems.
These reports and others are available at www.ctg.albany.edu/publications/.
The Center
for Technology in Government is an applied research center
devoted to improving government and public services through
policy, management and technology innovation. CTG works with
government to develop information strategies that foster innovation
and enhance the quality and coordination of public services.
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