Press Release Archives #071-99 - MAYOR GIULIANI RELEASES FIRST-EVER INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY STRATEGY TO IMPROVE GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS

Archives of the Mayor's Press Office

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: Friday, March 5, 1999

Release #071-99

Contact: Colleen Roche/Jennifer Chait (212) 788-2958

MAYOR GIULIANI RELEASES FIRST-EVER INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY STRATEGY TO IMPROVE GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS

Report Provides Technology Strategy For City of New York

Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani today released the City of New York's first Information Technology (IT) Strategy - a detailed report outlining how the City will use technology to support its goals and objectives and to help local government operate more efficiently and effectively. One of these objectives is to create an electronic government -- known as e-government -- thereby expanding access to Citywide services such as payment and billing information. The strategy, put together by the City's Technology Steering Committee, is a key component of the Mayor's efforts to coordinate information technology governance in New York.

The report emphasizes the importance of technology to the future success of key City initiatives and provides a multi-year framework for the use of information technology. By firmly linking the City's use of information technology with Citywide and agency business goals, the strategy ensures that the City will be able to effectively use technology to further its overall mission.

"With the release of the Technology Steering Committee's Information Technology Strategy, this Administration reaffirms its commitment to provide first rate government services to all New Yorkers," Mayor Giuliani said. "This outlines how the City will use technology to support its priorities in the future. These include expanding access to Citywide services to residents and businesses, standardizing and consolidating purchasing, payment and billing systems, and identifying appropriate electronic commerce opportunities. I want to thank the Technology Steering Committee for its work on this detailed report."

The strategy defines six specific strategic goals for the City of New York:

Establish an e-government (electronic government) - to develop and expand the electronic delivery of government services over the Internet and/or through the use of other electronic media.
Achieve a Comprehensive, Inter-operable Technology Infrastructure - to define, develop and communicate ways to ensure the City's computers can share information.
Effectively Manage Information Technology as a Citywide Enterprise - to develop means to recruit and train the City's information technology staff.
Make Smart Information Technology Investments - to establish a process to invest in the best and highest priority technology projects.
Secure the City's Information Assets - to ensure the City's computers are protected and secure.
Communicate with Appropriate Partners and Stakeholders - to ensure that the City's computer network will effectively communicate with the Federal and State government, and community organizations.

Allan Dobrin, Commissioner of the Department of Information Technology and Telecommunications, said, "The issuance of the City's first strategic plan for information technology establishes a framework for all of the City's diverse agencies to coordinate their use of technology to create a government that is more productive, effective and customer-friendly. New Yorkers deserve no less."

A living document, the Information Technology Strategy will be updated annually as both technology and the City's priorities evolve.

On October 6, 1998, Mayor Giuliani issued Executive Order No.43, which established a Technology Steering Committee with the mandate of coordinating the use of information technology in the City. The Committee includes the Commissioner of the Department of Information and Technology, the City's Chief Information Officer, and the Directors of the Mayor's Office of Operations and the Office of Management and Budget, and reports directly to the Deputy Mayor for Operations. The Technology Steering Committee developed and published the strategy with the input of business and technical professionals from throughout City government.

A copy of the report is available on NYC.gov, the City's website, at www.ci.nyc.ny.us/itstrategy.

www.ci.nyc.ny.us