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
Creating a Culture of Technology Innovation
Overview of Technology Solutions
Examples of State of the Art Technology

Think Technology Innovation
How do you create a culture of technology innovation?

Think Technology Innovation
Make technology training mandatory and provide certificates of achievement.
Provide a channel to provide ideas and comments without being criticized.
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 Solutions
Software as a Service (SaaS)
Cloud Computing
Green Technology
Open Source
Free / Freemium
On-Premise
Mobile Technology
Web 2.0 / Gov 2.0
Shared Technology

Technology Solutions
Software as a Service (SaaS)
Green Technology
Open Source
On-Premise
Mobile Technology
Shared Technology

Cloud Computing
What is Cloud Computing?

Cloud Computing
Pros
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 / Freemium
What is Freemium?
-A New Business Model-
Often Found in All Types of Solutions

Web 2.0 / Gov 2.0
Benefits
Constituent Involvement
Two-Way Communication
Engagement
Transparency
Low Cost
Example Solutions
Online Service Requests
Dynamic Knowledge Base
Discussion Blogs
Planning Wikis
Idea Management
Social Networking

Web 2.0 / Gov 2.0
Social 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…