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March 10, 2009 By Matt Williams
One technology priority for Takai is a standard for the state's networks. "We'd like to have a unified statewide network, which doesn't necessarily mean one network, but it means that we're all going to do our networks in the same way," Takai explained. Common standards will help California move toward server virtualization (which saves on hardware investment and energy consumption) and also aid IT workers who are developing applications, she said.
The federated IT model, in which agencies retain autonomy over program-specific technology, will also extend to governance and the chain of command. "We're asking that all of the information technology staff would report into an information technology organization -- in some cases today, some of those staff reside in some of the business areas [of individual state agencies]," Takai said. All the IT staff in an agency would report to a CIO, she said, and employees will receive business direction, in terms of the way technology is to be used in their department, from the agencies and departments that they work for today.
"That reporting relationship won't change," Takai said. "Nobody's going to move or change seats. The difference is the IT policy direction will come from this Office [of the State Chief Information Officer]."
Under Schwarzenegger's plan, Takai's position would also be in charge of statewide IT procurement. Over the course of the next five years, Takai said, California will be doing a major refresh on most of the components of its infrastructure, including PCs, servers and software licenses. By having a central point person in control -- the state CIO -- it should lead to more efficient spending because there won't be hundreds of different ways of doing things in state agencies, she said.
But Takai might not be around to see the entire consolidation to fruition. She's an appointee of Schwarzenegger, who will be term-limited in 2010.
"In the next two years, our plan will be to have this reorganization in place, because it will be at that time in statute, which means it will be there for the next administration," she said.
But first, the Governor's Reorganization Plan must get a recommendation from the Little Hoover Commission, an independent oversight agency that gives guidance to the state Legislature. The commission has scheduled hearing dates for the IT consolidation plan in February and March. The Legislature would also have to approve the plan.
You may use or reference this story with attribution and a link to
http://www.govtech.com/policy-management/California-CIO-Teri-Takai-IT-Consolidation.html
Re: http://www.govtech.com/gt/591614 Has this number been verified because that is a very misleading statement. There is no way there are 100 different email system (sendmail, Exchange, Groupwise, etc) in state service.
Re: http://www.govtech.com/gt/591614 Has this number been verified because that is a very misleading statement. There is no way there are 100 different email system (sendmail, Exchange, Groupwise, etc) in state service.
Per the previous comment by "Anonymous," Teri Takai has stated publicly this fact several times -- and once when I talked to her on the phone. Thanks for the inquiry!
Per the previous comment by "Anonymous," Teri Takai has stated publicly this fact several times -- and once when I talked to her on the phone. Thanks for the inquiry!
Has it occured to anyone that maybe the 100 different systems could include duplicate systems? (i.e. like several departments running different versions of Exchange). I believe it is possible to have 100 different systems. Teri was my CIO here in Michigan and she would make sure her facts were accurate so I believe her statements are factual.
Has it occured to anyone that maybe the 100 different systems could include duplicate systems? (i.e. like several departments running different versions of Exchange). I believe it is possible to have 100 different systems. Teri was my CIO here in Michigan and she would make sure her facts were accurate so I believe her statements are factual.
Looking at the costs for our department to consolidate our email, it would cost five times more to move our messaging to the data center (considered factors of licensing, hardware, support, Blackberry, etc). How does it save the State money? Where do you think departments get funding? Tax dollars. It is interesting that departments are still on the hook for administration and licensing costs as well as payment for the services. The department that will benefit is DTS, which conveniently will be under the State CIO.
Looking at the costs for our department to consolidate our email, it would cost five times more to move our messaging to the data center (considered factors of licensing, hardware, support, Blackberry, etc). How does it save the State money? Where do you think departments get funding? Tax dollars. It is interesting that departments are still on the hook for administration and licensing costs as well as payment for the services. The department that will benefit is DTS, which conveniently will be under the State CIO.