IfG.CC -
Institute for eGovernment

The most digitally advanced state governments have been singled out in the 2004 Digital States Survey, and Tennessee is among the nation's best. Tennessee was ranked seventh in the study, which examines best practices, policies, and progress made by state governments to streamline operations and better serve citizens and businesses through the effective use of technology. "The rise of the Internet has had a dramatic impact in the lives of most Tennesseans," said Governor Phil Bredesen. "Technological advances have reduced the costs of doing business, improved access to products and services and generated higher satisfaction among users and eGovernment has given us the ability to deliver services and information electronically to our citizens - 24 hours a day and seven days a week."

The sixth Digital States Survey assessed state government technology achievement in four broad areas - service delivery, architecture and infrastructure, collaboration, and leadership. In March 2004, all state governors and chief information officers were invited to participate in the survey, and more than 60 unique measurements were used to determine the final rankings. The study is compiled by the Center for Digital Government, a national research and advisory institute on information technology policies and best practices in state and local government.

"Tennessee has quietly gone about building a strong infrastructure and standardized architecture," said Cathilea Robinett, executive director of the Center for Digital Government. "This hard work, coupled with a robust online government suite of applications, has boosted them into the top ten. I commend the technology team for their dedicated work and Governor Bredesen for his leadership in this area."

The Tennessee portal continues to be one of the nation's most honored official state Web sites. Tennessee.gov was ranked first in the nation by the Brown University eGovernment Survey in 2002 and was ranked fourth in the 2003 study.

Tennessee offers more than 110 interactive government services through its official state Web site at www.Tennessee.gov. Tennessee.gov also processed over 8.5 million transactions in 2003, a 61 percent increase over the prior year. To maximize taxpayer return on investment, Tennessee uses a self-funded solution to provide eGovernment services at no upfront cost to taxpayers. The state's official Web site is managed by Tennessee Information Division, a Nashville-based subsidiary of eGovernment firm NIC (Nasdaq: EGOV).

"NIC congratulates Tennessee for its achievement in the 2004 Digital States Survey," said Harry Herington, NIC's Chief Operating Officer. "Improving business and citizen services and streamlining government operations are at the heart of the Digital States Survey, and Tennessee continues to leverage technology to get results in a cost-effective manner. We are honored to help Tennessee deliver essential eGovernment portal services through the self-funded model."

Earlier this week, the top ten digital states were honored at a ceremony in Seattle in conjunction with the National Governors Association annual meeting.

About Tennessee Information Division

Tennessee.gov's online services are developed, marketed, and maintained by Tennessee Information Division, a Nashville-based subsidiary of eGovernment firm NIC.

Quelle: Business Wire, 22.07.2004