Ezgov.com Enters Strategic Partnership With IBM
JUNE 2 ? Atlanta-based ezgov.com, an e-government services company, announced June 1 that it will partner with IBM Corp. to provide online solutions for government agencies at all levels.
By William Welsh, Staff Writer
JUNE 2 ? Atlanta-based ezgov.com, an e-government services company, announced June 1 that it will partner with IBM Corp. to provide online solutions for government agencies at all levels.
The partnership weds ezgov.com's e-gov applications and Armonk, N.Y.-based IBM's expertise in hardware and software and global consulting services. In entering into a strategic partnership with IBM, ezgov.com was particularly attracted to Big Blue's reputation as a global consultant, said ezgov.com officials.
"This partnership creates a leadership team in the e-government evolution," said Bryan Mundy, ezgov.com chairman. "IBM has built the foundation to help governments around the globe become fully operational on the Web with e-business solutions. Its trusted brand and strong relationships provide ezgov.com with an opportunity to introduce our innovative e-government transactional applications and portal content to their customers."
The companies expect to make few, if any, adjustments to their operations. Every one of ezgov.com's applications operate from the IBM framework, said Jennifer McCollum, communications director at ezgov.com.
Together, the two companies will offer the following: a state or local portal, transactional application solutions, strategic consulting, systems integration solutions, world-class hardware and software (provided by IBM) and hosting and call center support services.
Among the applications that ezgov.com provides to state and local governments through its portal are online payment of property taxes, traffic tickets, renewal of license plates, utility bills, permits, securities registrations and large-scale property information. An interactive-voice response system developed by ezgov.com allows those without Internet access to use the applications.
Currently, ezgov.com has 15 government agency customers and 25 potential customers with whom it is in the final stages of negotiations, according to the company. Additionally, the company is marketing its suite of e-government services to more than 300 other government agencies. Since it launched in November 1999, the company has logged more than 8 million hits on its Web portal.
McCollum said ezgov.com held discussions with all of the major systems integrators during the past three to six months before closing the deal with IBM. "This is our first official partnership with a systems integrator," she said.
Asked whether ezgov.com plans more strategic partnerships in the future, McCollum replied: "You can expect to see more from us as we move forward."