NASCIO recognizes top-flight state IT projects

By William Welsh

By William Welsh

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A 911 Web portal for Amber Alerts in Washington state was among eight state IT projects selected for recognition by the National Association of State Chief Information Officers.

A 911 Web portal for Amber Alerts in Washington state was among eight state IT projects selected for recognition by the National Association of State Chief Information Officers. The portal won an award for innovative use of technology.

NASCIO formally announced today the winners of the 2005 Recognition Awards for Outstanding Achievement in the Field of Information Technology, as well as the recipient of its annual Meritorious Service Award.

The recognition awards were selected from 95 nominations from 33 states. A committee comprising state and industry members of the association chose the winners. Full submissions from all nominations are posted on the association's Web site.

NASCIO honored past president and South Dakota CIO Otto Doll with its Meritorious Service Award. The group created the award to spotlight a state CIO who has exemplified outstanding service, advocacy and leadership in state government.

In South Dakota Doll saw that all of the schools were wired for technology and given broadband Internet access. He also created a digital communications network for first responders, hospitals and state agencies to use.

Within NASCIO, Doll served as president from 1999-2000 and led numerous committees over the years. He also served as an advocate for the less populous states.

The recognition awards are given to state IT programs and systems that have created proven, cost-effective, innovative solutions in the operation of state government. The categories, winners and a brief description of the each project are as follows:

  • Communications infrastructure: North Carolina Taxpayer Assistance and Collection Center. A centralized taxpayer telecommunications service center that handles citizen services and helps increase tax collection revenue for the state.


  • Digital government, government-to-business: Michigan Motor Fuel Automation System. An automated processing system to improve electronic reporting and remitting of taxes levied on motor fuels.


  • Digital government, government-to-citizen: Michigan Talent Bank. A self-service system that reduced the number of staff involved in job matching without reducing service to job seekers and employers.


  • Digital government, government to government: Utah Department of Transportation's CommuterLink, an intelligent transportation and traffic management system that improves interagency communications and public safety.

  • Enterprise information architecture: North Carolina Statewide Technical Architecture. An enterprise architecture strategy designed to facilitate the design and deployment of IT system that are adaptable to changes in business and technology.


  • Innovative use of technology: Washington state's Amber Alert 911 Web portal is a single Internet location from which media, law enforcement and the public can obtain current Amber Alerts on abducted children regardless of the jurisdiction posting the information.


  • Security and business continuity: North Carolina's Statewide Security Initiative Program, designed to protects the confidentiality, integrity and availability of the public's data.


  • State IT management initiatives: Michigan Implementation of Consolidated IT Services. An initiative to consolidate state IT services to enable major reductions in staff expenditures while increasing service levels.


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