Two Pennsylvania Information Technology Projects Selected to Receive National Awards

HARRISBURG, Pa., Sept. 30, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Governor Tom Corbett announced today that PennDOT and the Department of Public Welfare have received 2014 State IT Recognition Awards from the National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO). The winners were announced on Sept. 29 at the organization's national conference in Nashville.

"Pennsylvania is proud to be a recognized leader among states for using technology to save money and improve service to taxpayers," said Corbett. "The NASCIO awards provide an important platform to recognize excellence in state government, as well as an opportunity to share our successes with other states." 

The two state agencies were among 11 winners selected from over 100 nominations. In addition, the Office of Administration was a finalist in two award categories. 

The Pennsylvania winners are:

Improving State Operations
PennDOT – Posted and Bonded (Weight Restricted) Roads Mobile App

This mobile application allows PennDOT road inspectors to capture road conditions and update the information in real time using tablet computers. Previously, paper-based road survey reports were prepared and data was manually entered into a system, a process that was time-intensive and increased the opportunity for errors. The efficiencies created by mobile application have allowed PennDOT to lower the rate that heavy haulers must pay to use weight-restricted roads and resulted in an annual savings of over $500,000. 

"PennDOT is dedicated to enhancing our operations and the Posted and Bonded Mobile Application shows how we're using technology to do just that," said PennDOT Secretary Barry J. Schoch. "We are continuously striving to improve the way we do business for the public, our employees and our business partners."

Information Communications Technology Innovation
Department of Public Welfare – Automated Text Messaging for Child Support Communications

The automated text messaging system is used to send reminders for upcoming appointments, missed payments, and other events related to child support enforcement. Previously, parents would receive phone calls with a recorded message, a system that was becoming increasingly costly and ineffective. Using texts, DPW doubled the success rate of its communications and increased monthly child support collections by $1 million per month. 

"We are so proud of the excellent work this team has done to think creatively and better utilize taxpayer dollars," said DPW Secretary Bev Mackereth. "This project uses technology to help care for Pennsylvania's families and furthers our commitment to ensuring those who need assistance receive it."

The Pennsylvania finalists are:

Cyber Security
Office of Administration – Portal Storm Cyber Continuity Exercise

This comprehensive cyber security/business continuity exercise brought together agency leaders, information technology staff, program managers, continuity planners and others to examine on the potential effects of a fictional cyber-attack that causes their websites to be unavailable. Rather than focusing on how the IT department responds to the incident, this exercise targeted how agencies would continue to provide information and services during the attack. A significant number of agencies identified alternate procedures for their most essential services.

State CIO Office Special Recognition
Office of Administration – IT Central

This secure portal has transformed communication and collaboration among the commonwealth's 2,000 IT employees. IT Central includes a centralized application inventory, maintenance calendars for large computer systems, strategic plans, announcements, and discussion boards to share lessons learned and best practices.  The site is also a venue to showcase specific agency IT projects and recognize employees. All content on IT Central is logically organized and accessible via keyword search.

"It is truly an honor for Pennsylvania to be recognized on a national stage such as this," said Tony Encinias, chief information officer for the commonwealth. "I'd like to thank all of the state IT professionals whose innovation and hard work made these awards possible."

For the past 26 years, NASCIO has recognized states whose information technology initiatives exemplify best practices, support the public policy goals of state leaders, assist government officials in innovatively executing their duties and provide cost effective service to citizens.

To learn more about the awards and view all of the finalists, visit www.nascio.org/awards/2014awards/.

Media contact: Dan Egan, Office of Administration, 717-772-4237

SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of the Governor