In an effort to modernize the state’s IT services, New York is in the midst of consolidating staff and updating policies.At an international conference this week in Albany focused on improving electronic governance, New York officials spoke about why they’re completely overhauling the state’s information technology agency.
Kim McKinney is the Chief Operations Officer at the newly created Office of Information Technology Services (or ITS).
She says the overhaul was needed to improve efficiency in a bureaucracy with 27 different email systems.
“There’s no reason that everyone should have their own email system, everybody has their own computer center. By pulling that all together we can look at cost savings,” McKinney said.
Starting next month about 4,000 IT workers at various state agencies will officially begin reporting to the new Office of Information Technology Services, although most will remained housed in their respective agencies.
For more from the Innovation Trail and Marie Cusick, visit their website, innovationtrail.org. You can also follow Marie on Twitter @MarieCusick.
The Innovation Trail is a collaboration between six upstate New York public media outlets. The initiative, funded by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), helps the public gain a better understanding of the connection between technological breakthroughs and the revitalization of the upstate New York economy.