When it comes to implementing e-government, Des Vincent, chief information officer for Northern Ireland, faces a different challenge than CIOs in the United States. That's because the key e-gov tool for Northern Ireland citizens is not the Internet, but the telephone.
Everywhere you turn, there are signs it's a new day in state and local government. Tax collections are failing to keep pace with state spending needs. Spending cutbacks are widespread. The governors, once again, are looking to the federal government for relief.
State officials are clamoring for a larger role in shaping the White House e-government strategy and programs, saying federal e-gov initiatives directly influence many state and local government operations.
"When people think of e-gov, they think of service to the citizen," said Tan Swee Hua, director of the electronic services division for Singapore's Infocomm Development Authority. "But e-gov is not just enhancing the delivery of government services. It is also about looking at the effect information technology has on governance."
How big is the e-government opportunity for integrators? Judging by the $5 million the White House is spending on its much-ballyhooed 24 initiatives, not very. But those projects are just the tip of the iceberg ? models and catalysts for more ambitious, big-dollar programs on the horizon. We uncover real opportunities for making money.
The July 15 article, "WorldCom's troubles jeopardize contracts," provides an excellent overview of why "nervous [federal] agencies are eyeing alternatives" if WorldCom's situation worsens. A related online article July 9, "DREN contract continues to haunt DISA," describes how the problems at WorldCom, as well as those at Global Crossing, have led to "the never-ending saga" of the efforts to re-award the $450 million Defense Research and Engineering Network contract.
Information technology firms could rake in $3 billion helping state governments comply with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, according to the market research firm Input Inc. of Chantilly Va.
In the wake of the Enron scandal and the obstruction of justice verdict against Arthur Andersen, corporate conduct and compliance are coming under increasing scrutiny. Government contractors, such as WorldCom Inc. and Global Crossing Ltd., are having their contracts reviewed or have lost contracts because they have been found not to be responsible in light of financial and ethical problems.
Information sharing and data mining are integral IT components of the White House's newly released national strategy for homeland security, said Steve Cooper, chief information officer of the Homeland Security Office. Three pilot projects have already been identified by the office to ramp up new technologies, he said.
The government services and defense industry is basking in the glow of positive investor sentiment. Growth in government spending, ongoing needs for technology infusion and refreshment, along with more rational, commercial-like procurement processes provide a sound basis for revenue growth and earnings visibility going forward.
Industry and government officials are responding with mixed feelings to the July 19 freeze on selected information technology infrastructure and modernization projects imposed by Office of Management and Budget Director Mitch Daniels Jr.
Information technology firms could rake in $3 billion helping state governments comply with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, according to the market research firm Input Inc.
Information sharing and data mining will be integral IT components of the White House's newly released national strategy for homeland security, said Steve Cooper, CIO of the Homeland Security Office.
The state of Virginia is tweaking the funding model for its electronic procurement system to provide temporary relief to vendors that found paying both a subscription fee and a transaction fee to use the system was unduly burdensome, state officials said.
Information technology vendors are fuming over a Bush administration proposal to restrict the types of contracts available on the General Services Administration schedules.
The Business Software Alliance and the Information Technology Association of America are pushing for the creation of a cybersecurity agency as part of the proposed Department of Homeland Security.
Lawmakers are moving to streamline the approval process for federal IT grants to allow states more flexibility to spend money on IT infrastructure that would support programs across multiple agencies.
