IfG.CC - The Potsdam eGovernment Competence Center

One of the best state Web sites in the nation just got better. During his State of the State speech last week, Indiana Governor Frank O'Bannon launched the state of Indiana's next generation Web portal at www.IN.gov. accessIndiana, the official Web portal for the state of Indiana, now has a dramatic new look and improved organization of information. accessIndiana was built and is managed by Indiana Interactive, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of eGovernment firm NIC (Nasdaq:EGOV). The redesign took eight months to complete. During that time, Indiana Interactive staff conducted feedback sessions and focus groups with more than 200 Hoosiers, including citizens, state government employees, and representatives from the business community. The result is an enhanced design that simplifies navigation and organizes site content in a more user-friendly manner. accessIndiana features more than 200,000 pages of content and over 175 interactive applications.

"As the Internet becomes more integrated into every day life, people are expecting government to have a strong online presence and demonstrate continuous improvement," said Governor Frank O'Bannon. "Our administration understands the needs of Hoosiers and is committed to providing high-quality service to the state's citizens and businesses. That's why the state is providing more and improved opportunities for Hoosiers to go online instead of standing in line to do business with the state."

The redesign process began in April 2002. In addition to focus groups with Hoosiers, Indiana Interactive researchers analyzed and benchmarked leading state government and corporate Web site designs. The final design was also subject to a rigorous review by Indiana citizens, businesses, and students with Web development expertise from across the state.

accessIndiana's design enhancements include:

• Enhanced organization -- All Web portal content has been reorganized so that users can find the information they need in fewer clicks, more closely reflecting the industry's "three click rule";
• Improved public participation -- The new portal design provides more opportunities for public feedback through the addition of a user opinion survey on the portal's home page;
• Enhanced search engine capabilities -- In response to user requests for improved search capabilities, accessIndiana has implemented a new search engine powered by Google, the nation's leading search engine. The new search engine uses the same technology as the Google search engine at www.google.com to search accessIndiana's 200,000+ pages of information; and
• Amber Alert participation -- To address public concern about the safety of children in Indiana, accessIndiana will play a key role in the Amber Alert initiative. If a child in Indiana is reported abducted by a stranger, an icon will appear on the accessIndiana home page and at the top of every state agency Web site. This icon will link to the Indiana Amber Alert Web site (www.amberalertindiana.com) to provide information about the missing child.

Indiana is consistently listed among the nation's best state Web sites. Last year, accessIndiana was ranked the fourth best state portal in the nation in the Best of the Web survey conducted by Government Technology magazine and the Center for Digital Government. Indiana was also recognized in the 2002 Digital State Survey, in which it placed eighth among the 50 states by The Progress & Freedom Foundation and the Center for Digital Government.

"Last year, Indiana won numerous awards for its Web portal," said Laura Larimer, Indiana's Chief Information Officer. "And while the accessIndiana redesign is sure to keep that kind of national recognition coming to Indiana, it is likely to receive praise from the state's most important judges -- its citizen and business users."

About accessIndiana

accessIndiana is the official Web portal for the state of Indiana (www.IN.gov). accessIndiana's services are developed and maintained by Indiana Interactive, a wholly owned subsidiary of eGovernment firm NIC.

About NIC

NIC (www.nicusa.com) delivers more online government solutions than any provider in the world. The company is helping transform the relationship between government and the communities it serves by providing convenient eGovernment services that make life easier for businesses and citizens. Through partnership at all levels of government, NIC manages transactions for over 1,400 state and local agencies that serve more than 67 million people in the United States.

Quelle: Business Wire