State CIOs Say That Times are Changing

The survey finds that CIOs are speeding up consolidation of state IT services, driven by a search for savings and the need for enterprise-wide IT services. They are also playing greater roles health IT, a major factor in state-funded healthcare delivery systems and services, including Medicaid.

 

“Governors want state CIOs to be leaders and experts in IT services and policy issues. They want CIOs’ ideas for better program results and cost savings,” said Doug Robinson, NASCIO executive director. “Elected officials are learning that IT services and budgets need enterprise oversight and governance in order to produce better, more cost-effective services.”

 

Survey respondents report increased investments in cloud computing, or the delivery of

computing

as a

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service

rather than a

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product

. Three-quarters of CIOs say cloud computing alters their roles by creating opportunities for change or by shifting perceptions that they provide mostly support. Security issues surrounding the cloud approach remain a concern.

 

Dan Varroney, interim president and CEO of TechAmerica, notes “The survey confirms that state budget situations remain a top challenge for CIOs. CIOs are responding to that challenge with a strong focus on IT consolidation and cost control. But they’re also bringing to bear innovative IT solutions to improve program performance and service delivery, increasing investment in areas such as mobility andcloud computing.”

 

“Dealing with the continued growth in the volume of state government data is a challenge,” says Hank Steininger, Managing Partner of Grant Thornton’s Global Public Sector group, “Business intelligence and business analytics (BI/BA) tools offer the best promise for finding and assembling information useful to decision makers and concerned taxpayers.” Although two-thirds of survey respondents say they are somewhat invested in BI/BA, only 12% say they are making substantial use of an intelligence and analytics approach. “This needs to change if government is going to make use of the data they already collect,” says Steininger.

 

For a copy of the survey, visit:

www.nascio.org/publications

http://www.techamerica.org/2011-state-cio-survey

www.grantthornton.com/publicsector

 

About the National Association of State Chief Information Officers

The National Association of State Chief Information Officers is the premier network and resource for state CIOs and a leading advocate for technology policy at all levels of government. NASCIO represents state chief information officers and information technology executives from the states, territories, and the District of Columbia. The primary state government members are senior officials who have executive level and statewide responsibility for information technology leadership. State officials who are involved in agency level information technology management may participate as state members. Representatives from other public sector and non-profit organizations may also participate as associate members. Private sector firms may join as corporate members and participate in the Corporate Leadership Council. For more information about NASCIO visit

www.nascio.org

.

About TechAmerica

TechAmerica is the leading voice for the U.S. technology industry, which is the driving force behind productivity growth and jobs creation in the United States and the foundation of the global innovation economy. Representing approximately 1,000 member companies of all sizes from the public and commercial sectors of the economy, it is the industry’s largest advocacy organization and is dedicated to helping members’ top and bottom lines. It is also the technology industry’s only grassroots-to-global advocacy network, with offices in state capitals around the United States, Washington, D.C., Europe (Brussels) and Asia (Beijing). Learn more at

www.techamerica.org

.

 

About Grant Thornton LLP

The people in the independent firms of Grant Thornton International Ltd provide personalized attention and the highest-quality service to public and private clients in more than 100 countries. Grant Thornton LLP is the U.S. member firm of Grant Thornton International Ltd, one of the six global audit, tax and advisory organizations. Grant Thornton International Ltd and its member firms are not a worldwide partnership, as each member firm is a separate and distinct legal entity. Grant Thornton LLP’s Global Public Sector, based in Alexandria, Va., is a global management consulting business with the mission of providing responsive and innovative financial, performance management and systems solutions to state, local and federal governments and international organizations. Visit Grant Thornton’s Global Public Sector at www.GrantThornton.com/publicsector.

 

Contact

 

Shawn Vaughn

Membership and Communications Coordinator

National Association of State Chief Information Officers

(859) 514-9156

svaughn@AMRms.com

  

www.NASCIO.org

 

 

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