state of the art information technology (it) for small cities

Background/Accomplishments

• Technology Consultant (3 Years)

• City of Hutto (3 Years)

– Awards

• TAGITM Project Excellence Award (2007)

• Best of Texas Excellence in Project Delivery (2008)

• Five Website Awards

– 2009 State of Texas Information

Technology Strategic Advisory Committee

– TAGITM Website Committee

Objectives

1. Creating a Culture of Technology Innovation

2. Overview of Technology Solutions

3. Examples of State of the Art Technology

Think Technology Innovation

How do you create a culture of technology

innovation?

Think Technology Innovation

1. Make technology training mandatory and provide certificates of achievement.

2. Provide a channel to provide ideas and comments without being criticized.

3. Require everyone to use technology and participate in activities that require innovative thought.

-Recognize Achievements of All Sizes-

Questions?Creating a Culture of Technology Innovation

Technology Solutions1. Software as a Service (SaaS)

2. Cloud Computing

3. Green Technology

4. Open Source

5. Free / Freemium

6. On-Premise

7. Mobile Technology

8. Web 2.0 / Gov 2.0

9. Shared Technology

Technology Solutions1. Software as a Service (SaaS)

2. Cloud Computing

3. Green Technology

4. Open Source

5. Free / Freemium

6. On-Premise

7. Mobile Technology

8. Web 2.0 / Gov 2.0

9. Shared Technology

Technology Solutions1. Software as a Service (SaaS)

2.

3. Green Technology

4. Open Source

5.

6. On-Premise

7. Mobile Technology

8.

9. Shared Technology

Cloud ComputingWhat is Cloud Computing?

Cloud ComputingPros

• Available Anytime and Anywhere

• Easy to Deploy New Applications

• Low Cost and Easy to Expand

• No Servers Required On Premise

• Support and Maintenance Included

• Try with Minimal or No Investment

Cloud Computing

Cons• Security and Ownership Concerns

• Requires Access to the Internet

• Ability to Customize and Integrate

• Minimal Government Solutions

http://www.Apps.gov

Free / FreemiumWhat is Freemium?

-A New Business Model-

Often Found in All Types of Solutions

Open Source On-Premise

Cloud Computing Gov 2.0

Software as a Service (SaaS)

Web 2.0 / Gov 2.01. Benefits

– Constituent Involvement– Two-Way Communication– Engagement– Transparency– Low Cost

2. Example Solutions– Online Service Requests– Dynamic Knowledge Base– Discussion Blogs– Planning Wikis– Idea Management– Social Networking

Web 2.0 / Gov 2.0Social Networking

• Social Media Stats– Facebook – Over 300 million users– MySpace – 110 million users– LinkedIn – about 30 million users– Twitter – 54 million visits per month– YouTube – Over 70 million videos– Flickr – hosts over 2 billion images– Blogs – over 200 million

• Why Not?

Alternative Funding

•Cost Avoidance

• Energy Efficiency

• Process Improvement

• Organizational Structure

•Beta Testing / Piloting

• Sell your agency

• Don’t be afraid to try

•Free and Cheap Solutions

Questions?Overview of Technology

Solutions

Examples

Examples of State of the Art Information

Technology

City of Hutto• Growth

– Exponential Growth From 2000 - 2008• 2000 Population – 1205• 2008 Popluation – 17,000+

– Staff• Approximately 80 Full Time Employees• IT Division Created in FY 2007 with 1 Employee• Hired Second IT Employee in April of 2008• Technology Committee

– IT Budget• 2007 - $98,080• 2008 – $286,931• 2009 – $219,700• 2010 – $190,318

Thin Clients and Terminal Services

• Overview• Pros

– Ease of Administration– Reduced Electricity Costs– Longer Life Expectancy– Improved Security

• Cons– Limited Functionality– Knowledgeable IT Staff– Staff Perceptions

Web 2.0 / Gov 2.0 Improvements

– Improved City Website• User Friendly • Handheld Device Access• Submit Questions and Requests Online• Crime Tracking and Case Entry• Really Simple Syndication (RSS)• Utility and Ticket Payments• Calendar of Events• Notifications

– Newsletters (550)– Job Postings (190)

– Facebook (255)– Twitter (340)– Flickr– Mayor Blog

City of Manor - QR Codes• What are QR Codes?• Benefits

– Real Time Info– Engage Community– Physical Hyperlinks

• Uses– Capital Project Information– Facility Reservations– City Information

• Future Uses…

Other Solution Examples• Website/Blogs

– Wordpress– Squarespace

• Mapping– Google Earth

• Hardware– Thin Clients– Netbook

• Phone System– Asterisk

• Video Streaming– UStream

• Project Management– Huddle– MindMeister

• Free Main Stream Websites– Youtube– Flickr– Facebook– Twitter

• Email– GMail– Hosted Exchange

Questions?Examples of State of the Art

Technology

Further Education

Government Technology Website, Magazines and Newsletters

http://www.govtech.com/

Texas Association of Government Information Technology Managers

http://www.tagitm.org/

Questions and Comments

Thank You

Tim Howell

IT Manager

City of Hutto

http://www.TimHowell.net