States' info tech programs win national recognition |
||
Capital News Service |
||
Because of these programs and the state's advances in information technology, Michigan is ranked No. 1 for the second consecutive year by the California-based Center for Digital Government. The DIT oversees the state's technology programs. The center ranks states on how well they use IT programs to meet the needs of their residents. It measures states performance in four categories: service delivery, architecture and infrastructure, collaboration and leadership. Virginia, Ohio, Utah and Arizona rounded out the top five. Michigan received a trophy for taking first place. Janet Grenslitt, the surveys and awards director for the center, said the biennial survey originated in 1997. DIT communications director Kurt Weiss said, "We support all the agencies and departments. Technology makes everything work." For example, DIT is involved with the Public Safety Communications System, a data and voice network of more than 11,000 users and more than 300 agencies. Another 10,000 users are expected to join the system, which was developed by Motorola Corp. The system interconnects Michigan emergency responders, providing an extra measure of security and safety to the public, Weiss said, whose department works with local governments. Karen Chadwick, president of the Michigan chapter of the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials, said a statewide system is beneficial when large groups of emergency crews need to communicate with each other. Weiss said the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, exposed the problem of emergency response crews using different communications systems. The statewide system can alleviate such problems. DIT is also involved in another major program, MiWiFi, a pilot project offering wireless Internet service to travelers at 10 locations across the state, including a Clarkston rest area on Interstate 75, Holland and Ludington state parks, the New Buffalo welcome center on Interstate 94, the Ralph A. MacMullan Conference Center in Roscommon and the Mackinac Island and East Tawas state harbors. Ron Marabate, the managing director of Welcome Centers, Travel Michigan, said the program, entering its third year, began with collaboration between SBC - now AT&T - and DIT. The goal of the fee-based service is to bring wireless connectivity to people who'd like to connect and check the Internet, even if they're traveling or are on vacation, Weiss said. Subscribers to AT&T's high-speed Internet service can pay $1.99 per month for Wi-Fi service, and non-subscribers can buy a wireless membership starting at $19.95 per month. Despite a demand for wireless access, use of the program has been low. Because Michigan is a pioneer in delivering Wi-Fi at state facilities, Weiss said, there could be no accurate estimate of how many people would use the service. "I think there's a demand out there," Marabate said. "But I don't think it's great enough for a fee-based service." Even with low use, the state isn't losing money on the program because the phone company is bearing the costs of installing antennas and maintenance. Marabate said that after the pilot program expires, the state may look at different ways to pay for continuing the service. In addition, DIT is responsible for the creation and maintenance of Web sites for the state and its agencies. The Michigan government home page won the center's award for best state Web site in 2006. "Our folks are responsible for making sure all the bells and whistles are working," Weiss said. |
||
| Download a Microsoft Word version of this story here. |