Study Finds Florida Should Hone IT Use

Florida needs to take a hard look at how it uses technology to deliver services

via the Internet and to conduct business internally, according to a report

issued by the IT Florida task force.

The IT Florida report, commissioned by Gov. Jeb Bush last June and delivered

to the state legislature on Feb. 14, recommends conducting a survey to find

out what services state residents would like and developing a World Wide

Web portal to make it easier for people to find those services.

The task force also proposes creating a central IT management group

to improve the development and support of online services and internal applications.

"Currently, the state spends about $1 billion a year on IT," according

to the report. "It is critical that we leverage this purchasing power to

create eGovernment efficiencies."

Other recommendations include a study to determine whether every state

employee should have Internet access and development of a comprehensive

plan for offering the government work force high-tech training.

The recommendations were developed by the eGovernment subcommittee of

IT Florida, which Bush established to analyze the role of technology in

the state's public and private sectors. Other focus areas include technology

access, business development, education, rules and regulations, and work

force training infrastructure development.