Georgia Enterprise Technology Services (GETS) update, Vol. 5, Issue 3 (Mar. 4, 2013)

Georgia Enterprise Technology Services (GETS) Update
Volume 5, Issue No. 3 March 4, 2013

Showcasing innovative technology projects
When we launched our Technology Innovation Showcase last year and invited state and local government agencies to submit their IT projects, we didn't know what we might get. What we found was exactly what we hoped for: Agencies are using technology in creative ways to improve their operating efficiency and provide Georgians with the modern, convenient services they expect.
We recognized 12 outstanding projects last year. In fact, you may recall that last year's I-85 Express Lanes project from the State Road and Tollway Authority even received an award from the National Association of State Chief Information Officers. It marked the first time any agency in Georgia received an award from NASCIO.
We are currently soliciting IT projects for the 2013 Technology Innovation Showcase in several categories:
Cross-boundary Collaboration and Partnerships Data, Information and Knowledge Management Digital Government - Government to Business Digital Government - Government to Citizen Enterprise IT Management Initiatives Improving State or Local Government Operations Information Communications Technology Innovations Open Government Initiatives Cyber Security Initiatives
Projects will be considered for recognition at the Georgia Digital Government Summit, in Georgia's State IT Annual Report and on the GTA website, and for submission to NASCIO's 2013 State IT Recognition Awards.
I encourage state and local government agencies to submit their projects by the April 1 deadline. We're looking forward again to recognizing innovation in the use of technology.
Calvin Rhodes State Chief Information Officer GTA Executive Director

In This Issue
Getting the most good out of GETS Agency leads/CIOs call it like they see it Eyes on the technology landscape High-Tech Day at the Capitol 2013
Quick Links
Previous newsletters GTA website GETS Customer Resource Center GETS Financial and Billing Resource Center GETS FAQs

Getting the most good out of GETS
With the GETS program, the state gained greater visibility into its technology spending. That allows for better informed decisions in managing IT service consumption. To fully capitalize on the consumption data available through GETS, agencies need a clear understanding of GETS services and related charges and tools for managing service usage. Promoting that understanding is the aim of the GETS Education Program, a series of informative sessions that began last week and are scheduled through October of this year.
In presenting the education program, GTA acknowledges that managing IT consumption under the GETS services model is new for the state. Our partners in OPB and the Governor's Office recognize the same. Consumption management calls on IT and finance leaders at agencies to partner to plan, forecast and budget, monitor consumption and assess requests for new service - all components of IT management. The education sessions will help provide the informed footing needed to accomplish those business objectives successfully.
IT and finance leaders from GETS full-service agencies participating in the education program started with an overview session on February 28. To establish a common context, the program began with a review of the factors that motivated Georgia's IT outsourcing - among them, too much risk in the IT environment, aging and inadequate equipment and a lack of disaster recovery plans for the state. These factors weighed heavily in what the state contracted for from service providers AT&T and IBM several years ago, and they continue to influence the evolution of the GETS program. For GETS newcomers and veterans alike, knowing where we came from allows a fuller picture of where we are and where we're headed.
The initial session also addressed GETS progress to date, and the organizational structure that supports GETS program execution. Participants then saw a preview of the subjects (many of them GETS service areas, such as end user computing and data storage) to be covered at sessions planned in the months ahead.
The education program reflects GTA's ongoing commitment to its customers' success. The program is part of broader GETS-related initiatives in 2013 - including improved reporting, streamlined processes and services aligned with today's technology marketplace - designed to enable effective IT consumption management for the state.
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Agency leads/CIOs call it like they see it
If serenity and calm are what you need, working to deliver IT services will leave you wanting. GETS agency leads and CIOs know that very well.
Working with the GETS program day in and day out makes them well qualified to point out service areas needing attention. At GTA's invitation, they did so at a February meeting of the GETS Agency Management Committee, naming the following areas as needing improvement:
Efficiency in making firewall rule changes Reliability of backup and recovery processes Effectiveness of onboarding/offboarding Effectiveness of asset management
This candid input better equips GTA and IT service providers AT&T and IBM to pinpoint where the greatest gains can be made in serving GETS customers. Just as we are doing with request for solution (RFS) and projects process improvements, GTA and our service providers can then collaborate with customer agencies to enhance performance.
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Eyes on the technology landscape
GTA, along with our agency partners AT&T and IBM, monitors IT trends and innovations closely for potential application in the state setting. A collection of trade and government publication articles on a broad range of topics can be found on the IT for State Executives page of GTA's website.
As an example, cloud computing has garnered much attention in recent years for its potential for adaptability, scalability and lower costs. As you can read on GTA's site, businesses are actively looking for a footing in the cloud. A KPMG International cloud survey report published in February 2013 suggests a significant portion of those trying cloud computing say they underestimated complexities of IT architecture adjustments, business process changes and systems integration. Some organizations note security considerations, even while not a surprise and not a barrier to cloud adoption, proved extensive.
Please visit the GTA website for other technology-related articles of interest for state executives.
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High-Tech Day at the Capitol 2013
At last week's High-Tech Day at the Capitol - a Technology Association of Georgia (TAG) annual event - State CIO and GTA Executive Director Calvin Rhodes updated attendees on progress with Georgia's IT privatization and consolidation, noting that transformation is 60 percent complete. He pointed out we're already seeing benefits, including improved security and reliability in the state's IT environment, as well as enhanced disaster recovery capabilities.
At a luncheon and panel discussion CIOs Mike NelsonPalmer of GDC and Jeff Hill of GDOT spoke about pressing IT challenges facing their agencies and how they're addressing the needs.
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We welcome your comments about service delivery, the state's IT transformation and related topics.
You can submit comments online or call our tollfree number to leave a recorded message.