Fast forward Georgia, Vol. 4, no. 2 (Summer 2005)

Summer 2005

A Publication of the Georgia Technology Authority

Legislation centralizes procurement beginning July 1

Important changes are taking place in the process agencies follow to obtain IT products and services beginning July 1, 2005.
The Department of Administrative Services (DOAS) will assume responsibility for activities related to all Requests for Proposal (RFPs). DOAS will
release RFPs manage the process of reviewing vendor
responses award contracts resolve vendor protests. Centralizing state procurements in DOAS was mandated by HB 312, which the General Assembly passed during the 2005 legislative session. Governor Perdue's Commission for a new Georgia recommended the change to make the state's procurement process more efficient.
GTA continues major role in agency tech projects
GTA will continue to advise agencies about

planning and preparing their technology-related RFPs. GTA will also participate in evaluating vendor responses as appropriate.
IT initiatives costing more than $100,000 must be approved by GTA before the procurement process begins. All IT procurements, regardless of cost, must meet GTA standards and policies.
In addition, GTA will continue to manage statewide master IT contracts to be used by all agencies, such as those for purchasing computers and wireless services. The administrative process for procuring statewide master contracts will be managed by DOAS.
GTA and DOAS are working closely to ensure that pending agency procurements remain on schedule.
DOAS will apply GTA procurement rules in completing technology RFPs released before July 1.
GTA will complete the administrative process for resolving vendor protests filed before July 1.

See HB 312, page 6

Data center operations prepare for relocation

Georgia Technology Authority

GTA is preparing to relocate data center operations later this year after signing a lease for a modern and more secure facility in metro Atlanta.
Built in 2000, the facility offers high levels of availability, reliability, security and access to utility and telecommunications services. It occupies 33,000 square feet of raised floor space for computers and air-handling equipment. It also includes 5,000 square feet for offices and a backup command center. Building maintenance and operations are the responsibility of an industry-leading company recognized for its expertise in facilities management.
The facility boasts biometric access four diesel-powered generators for
emergency electrical power eight uninterruptible power supply systems redundant controls for all electrical and
mechanical systems

modern fire detection and fire fighting systems.
An advisory board made up of state agencies meets on a regular basis to provide GTA with input about moving specific applications and computer systems. In addition, GTA selected SunGard through a competitive bidding process to assist with the
See Data center, page 2
Volume 4, No. 2
Inside this issue
GTA employee profile: Kathi Mostefai. . . . . Page 2 New WAN helps agencies
be more productive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 3 Agencies exercise business
continuity plans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 4 2005 legislative update . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 4
Bringing the benefits of technology to Georgia government

Kathi Mostefai:
"We need to be clear about the impact of the move . . ."

What does cooking have to do with the upcoming

Kathi serves on is charged with verifying how

relocation of the Archives Data Center? Before you say, applications and computer systems at the data

"Nothing," meet Kathi Mostefai.

center are connected to each other.

Kathi is among the many people working long

"We need to be clear about the impact of the

hours every week to prepare for one of the most

move on each application because the systems

important events to take place in state government in

and applications have interdependencies," Kathi

years, and escaping into the kitchen with her husband, said.

Sadek, is one way she handles the stress. Kathi and

The data center has four major computing

Sadek are both accomplished chefs.

environments IBM mainframe, Unisys mainframe,

Her "regular job" is leading the GTA team that's

Unix and the Advanced Windows Environment

responsible for testing and installing new software and and a single application might connect to two or

software upgrades

more. For example,

on all mainframe

the "face" of an

and Unix systems at

application that

the Archives Data

users see on their

Center. Her team

computer screens

also keeps up with

might run in

new technology

Windows, but the

and suggests ways

information it

to improve the

displays may be

operation of

pulled from a

computer systems.

database on an IBM

As if her plate

mainframe or a

weren't full enough,

server running Unix.

Kathi is a member

Kathi is on other

of four of the 10 GTA

teams that are

teams who are

assisting SunGard in

methodically

developing an up-

working out every detail of the relocation. It

to-date inventory of

In addition to her regular duties, Kathi Mostefai is a member of

all the equipment in

four teams involved with moving the state's data center operations. the Archives Data

involves disconnecting, moving and reconnecting

Center. SunGard was chosen through competitive

complex information systems that are indispensable to bidding to help plan the relocation.

the operations of state government. One of the teams

See Kathi, page 5

Data center, from page 1
relocation. SunGard has taken part in planning and implementing data center relocations for other organizations.
GTA is scheduling the moves to minimize disruptions to agency operations as much as possible. Some relatively brief disruptions will be unavoidable as equipment is installed in the new facility over the course of several months beginning in the fall. The facility's exact location is not being disclosed publicly because of concerns about security.
The signing of the lease culminated more than two years of efforts to find a new home for the state's data center operations. The existing facility is about 30 years

old and lacks many of the features now considered essential to modern data centers. GTA explored many different options, including constructing its own facility or purchasing an existing one outside metropolitan Atlanta.
The data center supports more than 125 business applications for 76 state agencies, including those for law enforcement, motor vehicle tags and titles, drivers' licenses, revenue collections, child support and the state's financial and human resources systems. T

Fast Forward

Georgia

Page 2

State's new WAN helps agencies be more productive

More than 300 circuits have been upgraded at

the offices of child protection caseworkers

state agencies to provide faster and more reliable throughout Georgia. Beginning this summer,

connections to the state's new wide area network

caseworkers will use electronic forms on tablet PCs

(WAN). The number of circuit upgrades is expected to gather information about clients while working in

to total as many as 500 by the end of June, and

the field. At their offices, caseworkers will transfer

agencies say the new WAN is giving their staffs the information from the forms to a central database,

technical support they need to be more productive. and for the first time, caseworkers will be able to

"What would take me all morning to do only

share vital information with other caseworkers

took about two hours," said an employee at the

around the state.

Office of Child Support Enforcement (OCSE) in

The upgraded connections to the new MPLS-

Valdosta following the office's

based WAN are providing

upgrade.

"They feel like they can

caseworkers with the speed and

"This is a group of committed actually work now and get bandwidth they need to send and

folks who are happiest when they something accomplished." receive time-sensitive information

can just work," said an OCSE

from the central database. It also

manager. "They feel like they can

means caseworkers are spending

actually work now and get something

less time on administrative tasks.

accomplished."

New WAN supports automated case

Doing whatever is necessary

management at Workers' Comp

to get the job done

The state's new network is also supporting an

Through competitive bidding, GTA contracted

automated, electronic system for managing cases

with BellSouth in 2004 to upgrade and manage the at the State Board of Workers' Compensation.

state's WAN. The new network is based on multi- The board recently upgraded WAN connections at

protocol label switching (MPLS), which offers several its nine regional offices, and when the case

advantages over the frame-relay technology of the management system is fully implemented, staff will

state's old WAN. Among those advantages are

be able to quickly access information from a central

greater redundancy and reliability

database.

greater speed

About 40,000 claims and 15,000 requests for

competitive pricing

hearings are filed each year, resulting in about

support for new services like voice over IP

1,400 hearings. The system will make it possible to

support for "quality of service" to set priorities file claims over the Internet, and physicians and

for transmissions and to prevent loss of data insurance companies will be able to send and

or transmission delays

receive information online. As a result, the board can

greater security.

respond more quickly to requests for

GTA and BellSouth are working together to

mediation

upgrade agency connections to the new WAN.

schedule hearings more efficiently

When workloads reach their peak, 300 circuits will

pay benefits on a more timely basis

be upgraded each month.

settle claims faster.

"When it comes to the bottom line, it seems GTA

Other agencies scheduled for circuit upgrades

and BellSouth are doing whatever is necessary to get the job done," For the first time,

this spring include the Department of Technical and

said another OSCE official.

caseworkers will be able to Adult Education and the Georgia

DHR's electronic forms a major upgrade priority
GTA and BellSouth have made

share vital information with other caseworkers throughout Georgia.

Bureau of Investigation. Agencies preparing for upgrades this summer include Juvenile Justice, Labor, Corrections, Driver

the electronic forms project at the

Services, Public Safety, Revenue

Department of Human Resources one of their top and Secretary of State. More than 2,400 circuits

priorities this spring. Over 150 WAN connections

will eventually be upgraded to connect to the

have been upgraded at

state's new WAN. T

Fast Forward

Georgia

Page 3

Fast Forward

Georgia

State agencies exercise business continuity plans

In an emergency, state agencies must work together to make sure essential services keep operating, and many of the state's larger agencies are already preparing for such an emergency by developing and exercising business continuity plans.
Several agencies are taking part in a facilitated review of their plans on June 20 so they can increase employee awareness and identify areas for improvement. Participants include the Secretary of State's Office, State Board of Workers' Compensation, Department of Human Resources and Department of Community Affairs. The Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA), Public Service Commission, Department of Technical and Adult Education, and Department of Education will take part as observers.
The "tabletop exercise" is a continuation of activities begun last year at the Digital Academy on Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery, which attracted 87 participants from 29 state agencies. GTA sponsored the Digital Academy and contracted with Southern Polytechnic State University (SPSU) in Marietta to oversee training.
Business continuity refers to the processes and procedures an organization puts in place to ensure essential functions continue during and after an

emergency or disaster. The goal is to prevent the interruption of mission-critical services and to resume essential operations as soon as possible.
The exercise will be facilitated by GTA, SPSU and KPMG, which provides risk management and advisory services. GEMA is providing funding.
"We will walk through agency plans, validate processes and identify areas needing improvement," said James Price, who oversees GTA's business continuity and disaster recovery planning. "We want to focus on training and getting people familiar with their roles and responsibilities."
Agencies participating in the tabletop exercise are sending at least two representatives, one from business or program operations and another from IT operations. A report about the results of the tabletop exercise will be distributed to agencies, and they'll also be given guidelines for conducting their own inhouse exercises.
For information about an association of state agencies that supports work on business continuity and disaster recovery plans, contact James Price at 404-651-8421, jprice@gta.ga.gov, or Digital Academy Project Manager Doris Konneh at 404-463-4407, dkonneh@gta.ga.gov. T

2005 legislative update
In addition to HB 312, the General Assembly passed the following technology-related bills during the 2005 session.
HB 293: Creates State Accounting Office The bill formally transfers the PeopleSoft financial and human resources systems from GTA to the State Accounting Office. It consolidates functions that were previously the responsibility of the Office of Planning and Budget, Audits and GTA. Effective July 1, 2005.
SB 46: Directories of wireless phone numbers The bill requires publishers of directories of wireless telephone numbers to obtain written consent from an individual before including his or her number in the directory. It also prohibits wireless service providers from providing the telephone numbers of their customers to telemarketers. Effective July 1, 2005.
SB 62: Georgia Slam Spam E-mail Act The bill makes the e-mailing of false and misleading advertisements either a criminal misdemeanor or a felony depending on the volume of e-mail sent within specific time periods. Effective July 1, 2005.

SB 230: Requires Georgia residents to be notified about breaches of data security The bill requires "any information broker" to notify residents of Georgia if their personal information is acquired in any manner by an unauthorized person. The bill exempts government agencies whose records are maintained primarily for traffic safety, law enforcement or licensing. Examples of personal information include Social Security numbers, driver's license or state identification card numbers, credit or debit card numbers, account passwords or personal identification numbers and other access codes. Effective May 5, 2005.
SR 298: Joint Study Committee on Emerging Communication Technologies The resolution creates a committee to study ways to encourage investment in emerging telecommunications technologies such as voice over IP, broadband and wireless. The committee will also review the role of the Public Service Commission in regulating new telecommunications technologies. It will be composed of three senators and three representatives. T

Page 4

Kathi, from page 2

them directly. As part of the IBM upgrade, she

I was always questioning things
Kathi didn't set out on a career in information technology when she first entered the workforce. She started as secretary to a shoe company executive.
"An opening came up in operations, and I applied for it and got it," Kathi recalled. "I was always questioning things and showed an interest in programming. In about two years, they moved me into systems programming."
Her career in state government began in November 1981 when she started at the Department of Administrative Services as a Customer Information Control System (CICS)

worked with Philip Jones, another data center employee, to set up a Web site for state agencies. While Philip took charge of the technical aspects of running the Web site, Kathi managed most of the content, which included customer meetings, testing and implementation schedules, contact information, questions and answers, issues logs and news.
"I looked at it from what I would want to know if I were on the other side. What information would I need?" Kathi said.
She's bringing that same perspective to the data center relocation as a member of the team overseeing communications to agencies.

systems programmer. (For those of you who

Never trust a skinny chef

aren't so technical, CICS controls the interaction

Technology has also played an important

between applications and users and lets

part in Kathi's private life. She met Sadek on the

programmers develop

Internet. At the

screen displays

time, he was

without needing detailed knowledge of

Kathi Mostefai: Career Highlights

studying at a university in

the terminals being used.)

Joined state government in 1981 as CICS

France, where he received a

She worked her way up to positions of increasing responsibility. In five years, Kathi was in charge of CICS

systems programmer; five years later, she was in charge of CICS support
Led team responsible for IBM middleware support
Managed a major upgrade to IBM systems

doctorate degree in statistics. He's now a Unix systems engineer at CNN.
Although their

support. Seven years

lives often

later, she was leading the team that supports

Currently leads the team responsible for testing and installing new software and

revolve around technology, Kathi

IBM middleware. Five

software upgrades on all mainframe and

and Sadek also

years ago, she was

Unix systems at the Archives Data Center

have other

placed in charge of a major upgrade to IBM systems.

Serves on four of the 10 teams planning the data center relocation

interests. Kathi's love of Indian cuisine led her to

Kathi is quick to give credit to others. "The people in support

An accomplished chef and cooking instructor who specializes in Indian cuisine

take cooking classes from the owner of an

are the ones who get the job done. These

Indian restaurant. She became so proficient, she

people perform," Kathi said. "If you don't have a

started teaching classes herself.

group of people who can get the job done, you're not going to make progress."

Kathi's advice when it comes to cooking? "Never trust a skinny chef." And when it comes

A focus on customer service and keeping agencies informed

to the data center location, a lot of people have rightly chosen to put their trust in Kathi. T

Kathi is also known for her focus on customer service and especially for keeping agencies informed about data center operations that affect

Fast Forward

Georgia

Page 5

GTA supporting New Georgia IT initiatives

GTA is working on several statewide IT initiatives that were recommended by Governor Perdue's Commission for a New Georgia as ways to save the state money while improving operating efficiency. GTA also provides project managers to ensure the success of IT initiatives.
Enhancing asset management
The state is planning an enterprise asset management system to track, maintain and use assets more efficiently. A Request for Proposal was posted May 10 on the State Procurement Registry to solicit bids for the system. Vendor proposals are due July 13, and a final contract is expected to be signed by the end of the year. Teams made up of representatives from several state agencies are being formed to evaluate vendor proposals.
The system will be implemented in phases over a three- to four-year period. It will be used by all state agencies to track real estate, motor vehicles, office furniture, computers, cell phones, surplus property and all other state property. Core and fleet asset management will be implemented first, followed by general asset management, which includes surplus property. IT asset management and capital asset management will be implemented last because additional requirements for these systems must be developed.
Unified e-mail address book
A state employee e-mail address book is expected to be available this summer. The address book will give employees the information they need to communicate quickly and easily with other employees regardless of agency or e-mail system. It lays the foundation for a statewide e-mail system and for an identity-management system to provide greater security when teleworkers connect to an agency's computer network. GTA is working with Novell to build the address book, which will be expanded over time to include more addresses.

Sharing hardware and software
A pilot project expected to begin this summer will enable participating agencies to share software for verifying addresses before they send mail. The software automatically checks a United States Postal Service database for address changes.
Lowering costs for personal computers
GTA plans to initiate pilot projects within the next year to evaluate the extent to which "thin clients" can simplify IT operations and reduce costs. In this approach to computing, employees are given less powerful PCs to connect to a central computer where most of the processing takes place and information is stored.
Enterprise Architecture: blueprint for IT investments
The Governance Council is coordinating work on an IT blueprint to guide agency decision making about technology purchases. The IT blueprint helps to ensure agency business needs and priorities are met. The council is comprised of senior executives from 10 state agencies and the Governor's Office. T
HB 312, from page 1
DOAS will complete the administrative process for resolving vendor protests filed after July 1, but DOAS will apply GTA procurement rules if the RFP is posted before July 1.
DOAS will make every effort to assign pending IT procurements to members of its procurement staff with purchasing experience in either the specific project or the technology to be purchased.
Additional details will be provided to state agencies through e-mails and at monthly meetings of CIOs and IT directors. State agencies may also e-mail questions to gtainfo@gta.ga.gov. T

Fast Forward

Georgia

Fast Forward Georgia
Published quarterly and available online at www.gta.georgia.gov 100 Peachtree Street, Suite 2300, Atlanta, Georgia 30303 404-463-2300, FAX 404-463-2370
Paula Calhoun and Michael Clark, Editors; Hettie Smith, Designer

Tom Wade Cigdem Delano
Steve Nichols Chris Tomlinson

GTA Executive Director & State CIO , twade@gta.ga.gov Chief Operating Officer, cdelano@gta.ga.gov Deputy Director & Chief Technology Officer, snichols@gta.ga.gov General Counsel, ctomlinson@gta.ga.gov

James D. Lester III, Chairman, GTA Board of Directors

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