South Carolina Web Portal Project Progresses

The CIO's private sector partner, South Carolina Interactive (SCI), continues on an aggressive schedule during the start-up phase of the eCommerce and web portal upgrade. The portal was launched on June 1, 2005, after SCI entered into an agreement with the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to provide electronic access to driver history records to authorized users. This service will provide the self-funded portal with the funding necessary to build the infrastructure and staffing to develop, maintain and host the web portal.

A new payment engine for state agencies for eGovernment services is under development. Available to all state agencies interested in providing online services, the portal payment engine will allow quick, easy and secure payment for government services through credit cards and electronic checks.

A focus group has been working to redesign the state's web site, www.myscgov.com, for improved accessibility and usage. The new site will include a Google search engine, Microsoft's content management system and live help. The new URL for the State of South Carolina's Official website will be www.sc.gov. A major marketing campaign is being planned to introduce the redesigned portal this fall.

The eGovernment Oversight Committee, the portal's governing authority, was appointed by Governor Mark Sanford and held its initial meeting in July 2005. The Committee will meet monthly to establish policy and authorize projects.

CIO staff continues to work closely with SCI to offer the services of the web portal to all interested state and local government agencies.

Reprinted from South Carolina's CIO Customer Service Newsletter.