Government Technology - May 2008 - (Page 12)

GT editors report from the road cene California CIO Academy SACRAMENTO, CALIF. — In February, the annual CIO Academy was again held in California’s capitol city. The event is a premier opportunity for California public-sector technologists to meet and discuss technology trends and issues. Andrew Armani, California’s director of e-services, and Teri Takai, the state’s new CIO, kicked off the two-day affair. Takai was the center of attention, having recently taken the reins as California’s technology chief. The 2008 CIO Academy featured an impressive lineup of sessions and speakers, including keynotes from former astronaut Sally Ride — the ﬁrst American woman in space — as well as former Marine and Al-Jazeera English spokesman Josh Rushing. However, many attendees were particularly interested in what Takai, the former Michigan CIO, had to say about her plans for California. Takai ﬁelded questions from Department of Technology Services Director P.K. Agarwal and the audience. Agarwal quizzed Takai regarding the half-dozen weeks she had been in California and what she had learned in that short time. Takai said she found a strong desire for change ANDREW ARMANI j within the IT community and among state executives. One change Takai said she’d like to help make a reality is reducing the disparity she feels still exists within California’s IT infrastructure. According to Takai, the prevailing attitude is largely agency-speciﬁc. “The silos and the chimneys in the business areas are actually much more embedded than what I had hoped. The departments are more solidiﬁed than I had thought,” she said, adding it’s her early impression. “I think it’s up to us as technology professionals to bridge the gap and talk to the business about technology and how it makes a difference.” While serving as a showcase for California’s new CIO, the CIO Academy also featured plenty of opportunities for attendees to discuss current issues in public-sector IT. Between keynotes, event-goers attended sessions featuring topics that ran the gamut — from fundamental discussions, such as combining IT governance and portfolio management, or creating a results-oriented organization, to a practical examination of e-discovery, and more speculative concerns, including what Web 2.0 means to government. — CHAD VANDER VEEN, TECHNOLOGY AND POLITICS EDITOR on the Govtech.com Hot List 1 3 5 7 9 P.K. AGARWAL SALLY RIDE Here are the 10 most popular stories on Govtech.com from Feb. 12, 2008 to March 12, 2008. DHS Announces Changes in 2008 Grant Guidelines Fiscal 2008 funding priorities include improving preparedness planning and strengthening IED prevention, protection and recovery. www.govtech. com/em/articles/269385 Shared GIS Helps Texas Cities Create Rich Online Maps Shared service helps Texas cities create detailed online maps without busting budgets. www.govtech.com/gt/260240 Teri Takai, California’s New CIO, Meets with State Technology Leadership Takai ﬁelds questions from agency ofﬁcials about her expectations and experiences. www.govtech.com/gt/articles/268338 Presenting This Year’s Top 25 Government Technology’s annual list of “doers, dreamers and drivers.” www.govtech.com/gt/articles/268508 Unemployment Insurance System Cuts Cost and Delays in Minnesota Minnesota self-service Unemployment Insurance Program improves efﬁciency. www.govtech.com/gt/261464 Identity Theft Steals Millions From Government Health Programs Stolen medical identities boost health-care costs and cause lasting pain for patients. www.govtech.com/gt/260202 2 4 6 Electronic Health Records: Can Microsoft and Google Help? As Congress and doctors dither on electronic health records, industry heavyweights unveil another — more personal — option. www.govtech.com/gt/260204 Beyond CRM and 311: Strategies for Improving Government Services Four myths keep government from delivering a better customer experience. www.govtech.com/pcio/224332 Universities Use Second Life to Teach Complex Concepts The virtual world gains traction among Texas academics. www.govtech.com/tt/252550 Wireless Sensors May Help Governments Monitor Aging Infrastructure Minneapolis bridge collapse spurs monitoring innovations. www.govtech.com/dc/articles/261440 12 8 10 TERI TAKAI MAY_08 j j j http://Govtech.com http://www.govtech.com http://Govtech.com http://www.govtech.com/em/articles/269385 http://www.govtech.com/em/articles/269385 http://www.govtech.com/gt/260240 http://www.govtech.com/gt/articles/268338 http://www.govtech.com/gt/articles/268508 http://www.govtech.com/gt/261464 http://www.govtech.com/gt/260202 http://www.govtech.com/gt/260204 http://www.govtech.com/pcio/224332 http://www.govtech.com/tt/252550 http://www.govtech.com/dc/articles/261440

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Government Technology - May 2008

Government Technology - May 2008 Contents Point of View The Last Mile Big Picture On the Scene Four Questions for … Turning Over a New Leaf Crash Diet Budget Blues? Failing Grade? Running the Numbers The 311 Report High-Tech Corrections How It Works Spectrum Two Cents Products Personal Computing Signal: Noise

Government Technology - May 2008

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