While IT Optimization provided the standardization necessary to drive economies of scale through infrastructure consolidation (server, storage, mainframe, and network), the State of Ohio is now focused on the next step – IT innovation.
With the signing of Executive Order 2019-15D, Governor Mike DeWine established the statewide focus on IT innovation. The goal is to make State government a more effective and efficient leader in using technology to improve customer service and save tax dollars. The governor, lieutenant governor, and state chief information officer (CIO) are working together to make IT innovation a top priority. They are committed to improving the lives of citizens and state service delivery through innovative technologies.
While great progress has been made since the signing of the executive order, there is more to be done. The IT Innovation Technology Strategic Plan for 2020-2022 continues to build on the successes of the past, supporting the vision of the DeWine-Husted Administration. IT Innovation will streamline and modernize State IT through a focus on digital experience, data analytics, enterprise shared services, on premise or in public clouds, and collaboration.
The strategy focuses on one team, with one goal - to leverage technology to better serve the people of Ohio.
Coming July 27: Redesigned myOhio App Store & New Features for Citizen OH|ID Portal - 7.10.2020
The InnovateOhio Platform is set to release new features for myOhio and OH|ID users to improve your experience and give you increased control over your privacy and security. Updates include a modernized App Store, a new User Dashboard, and access to device and login history.
Of all the changes, the most noticeable is our modernized App Store. Still accessible from within myOhio, the App Store will now launch in a new browser tab. The updated look and feel is similar to the iOS App Store or the Google Play Store and includes some extra functionality.
• Add the applications you use most to your Favorites with just one click. • Search for and request access to applications with ease using enhanced search & filter tools
Across the top of the screen, you will see new tab-based navigation. These and other new myOhio and OH|ID features will be available July 27.
• Dashboard – Your account headquarters. Easily access Account Settings and see your favorite apps. • Sites & Applications – Home of the new App Store! From here, you can access all your existing apps and tools. • Recent Activity – Review the time & location of recent login attempts. Quickly report suspicious activity. • Devices – Rename or hide the devices used to access your account, i.e. smartphone, laptop, work computer.
Want to learn more? Watch the short video tour of the new and improved OH|ID. Job aids are also available on the InnovateOhio Platform of myOhio (under “OH|ID Release 2020” in the middle column).
Ohio Discusses COVID-19 IT Response with StateScoop - 6.5.2020
State CIO Ervan Rodgers and Deputy State CIO Katrina Flory were recently featured in a StateScoop article entitled, “As economies reopen, demands on state IT begin to flatten.”
The article addresses the demand for IT services as part of the COVID-19 response (e.g., reporting virus statistics online, providing information on critical resources and services, supporting virtual private network access, offering training and guidance for virtual meeting solutions, securing hardware for telework, enhancing unemployment solutions, and defending against cyberattacks and phishing attempts).
State CIO Rodgers expressed how impressed he is by the collaborative efforts between agencies and state officials to deploy solutions as new needs arise.
State CIO Rodgers and Deputy State CIO Flory both discussed with StateScoop how now that the demand for IT support is decreasing, there is time to discuss the new normal for IT operations in state government. They are currently working with other states to plan for an eventual return to the office and to identify the solutions that need to be in place to support that initiative.
To learn more about their discussion, visit StateScoop.
Ohio’s COVID-19 Response Featured in NASCIO Podcast - 5.5.2020
Recognizing Ohio’s effective response to the COVID-19 crisis, the National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) recently featured State CIO Ervan D. Rodgers II.
Hear State CIO Rodgers share details about Ohio's proactive response to the virus, approach to remote work, and more on the NASCIO Voices podcast.
Ohio Business Gateway Improvements - 4.6.2020
Ohio Department of Administrative Services Director Matt Damschroder recently announced that the Ohio Business Gateway (OBG) displayed significant improvements in performance throughout 2019, and especially during January’s business-tax filing season.
The Ohio Business Gateway is a one-stop website for Ohio businesses to interact with state government, where users register, file, and pay various types of taxes and conduct other transactions.
The improvements are a direct result of DAS optimizing hardware, making code improvements, and conducting performance testing. The agency is also emphasizing identifying and addressing issues earlier.
“Last year’s efforts to stabilize the system have paid off, resulting in a smooth filing process for businesses and timely data transfers to local government partners,” said Damschroder. “The stabilization of the Gateway, coupled with additional enhancements, is making doing business in Ohio easier than ever.”
In January, more than 960,000 transactions, totaling $1.9 billion, were processed through the Gateway. Throughout the last year, there was a four percent increase in filings and a 10 percent increase in dollars collected. OBG system improvements include:
Ohio Tax Commissioner Jeff McClain, whose department is the biggest user of the OBG, praised the focus on customer experience. “For both the Department of Taxation and all of our business customers, the Gateway is a critical channel for conducting core business functions,” he said. “The system is proving it’s stable and reliable, and we’re excited about the enhancements, including the new online submission of W-2s.”
Another enhancement to the OBG includes the ability for users to now securely save multiple payment options. This is particularly helpful for businesses that conduct transactions on behalf of multiple clients. In addition, an auto-fill payment option speeds the transaction and reduces the likelihood of errors from manual entry.
The improvements to the OBG were also featured in a StateScoop article entitled, “Ohio says collaboration fixed its business portal.”
Publication of Statewide Policy Revision - 3.6.2020
A revision to Ohio Administrative Policy IT-08, “Executive Branch Cabinet Agency Website Standardization,” was published in January of 2020 that requires executive branch cabinet agencies to align with the website design and content management standards defined by the InnovateOhio Platform team when developing and maintaining public-facing Web pages on state-controlled websites. The policy revision also identifies InnovateOhio Platform format and tool requirements. Executive branch cabinet agencies must use the InnovateOhio Platform’s User Experience Digital Toolkit to design public facing Web pages.
Please note that the navigation requirements (section 2.5) were also recently updated in Ohio Administrative Policy IT-08 to reflect the current InnovateOhio Platform practice. Therefore, the effective date of the policy was changed to March 6, 2020.
Please take a moment to review the updated policy. If you have any questions on the policy, contact State IT Policy Manager by email at DAS.State.ITPolicy.Manager@das.ohio.gov or by phone at 1-614-466-6930. If you have implementation questions for the InnovateOhio Platform team, you can reach them at Platform@InnovateOhio.gov.
A newly created Technology Board will help to enhance enterprise IT alignment and ensure agency interests are represented within the IT governance process and duplicative activities are minimized. The board aligns agencies according to common purpose within five Lines of Business (LoB). Agency CIOs will be aligned by LoB to facilitate the discussion of opportunities, issues, and concerns within their partner agencies. We have selected five Line of Business Leads (LoB Leads) to drive long-term acceptance and sustainability of IT solutions that support the State’s objectives for IT Optimization. The LoB, their associated LoB Leads, and partner agencies are organized as follows:
IT Innovation Information Center
InnovateOhio Platform
IT Application Center
Maintenance Schedules
Customer Service
Service Catalog
IT Enterprise Services portal
Office of Finance
Central Payment System
IT Strategy and Investment Management
MARCS
9-1-1 Program Office
OAKS
Project Management
Research and Advisory
Shared Web Hosting
Shared Solutions
Telecommunications Contracts and Cloud Services Agreements
Ohio Geographically Referenced Information Program (OGRIP)
Ohio IT Statutes and Administrative Rules
Governor's IT-Related Orders and Directives
State of Ohio IT Policies
State of Ohio IT Standards
State of Ohio IT Bulletins
Enterprise IT Procedures
Enterprise IT Architecture Resources
Statewide Enterprise Buys
Next Generation Telephony Service Virtual Meeting Guidance Local Governments and Political Subdivisions State Agencies, Boards, and Commissions
