Office of the CIO
 NITC AND STATE TECHNOLOGY PLAN NITC AND STATE TECHNOLOGY PLAN

The Nebraska Information Technology Commission (NITC) was established by the Legislature in 1998 to provide advice, strategic direction, and accountability on information technology investments in the state. In the 2007 version of the annual statewide technology plan, Digital Nebraska: Envisioning Our Future, the NITC has identified eight strategic initiatives.

Office of the CIO
VISION

Our organization helps realize the vision of Nebraska’s government leaders – the vision that the vast majority of government services are available online, any day, any time. The organization’s highly responsive, reliable portfolio of services helps nurture a stronger, more diverse and vibrant state economy where businesses and individuals alike acknowledge Nebraska’s competitive advantage.
We develop, implement and support the underlying, virtually transparent technology implied in this government vision. We value integrity, trustworthiness, expertise, accountability, and hard work. We respect one another and the goals we seek to serve, and we know the importance of stewardship of public resources to make life better for each Nebraskan.
All people in Nebraska – citizens, customers, employees…everyone – can point with pride at the accomplishments and national recognition that is frequently bestowed upon our organization and our employees. We truly are technology leaders for the State of Nebraska.

Office of the CIO
 MISSION
“To serve the citizens of Nebraska by providing premier information technology leadership, policy and operations which facilitate an effective, responsive, and efficient government.”

Office of the CIO
CORE VALUES CORE VALUES
Customer Service – Our customers are constantly at the forefront of our decisions and actions. Our primary purpose is to give customers what they want, thereby building lasting partnerships.
Quality – We believe customers expect products and services that have enduring quality. To paraphrase the old saying, “if it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing right – and at a high level of quality.”

Office of the CIO
OPERATING PRINCIPLES
Do what we say we’ll do – We follow through on the commitments we make, and we deliver the results we promise.
Execute and improve – We believe in a pragmatic approach that balances a sense of urgency to generate results, yet also identify and act on ways in which we can continually improve our services and products.
Continually look for efficiencies to be gained – We believe it is everyone’s job to identify ways in which we can do our work more efficiently. Our customers appreciate and expect this diligence about saving time and money.
Share resources and approaches utilizing shared services – We are realistic enough to know we don’t always have all the best answers, nor all the resources necessary to solve each and every business problem. Working in partnership and sharing effort with our customers, we can develop the best solutions
for the people of our state.
Recognize that perception is reality – We recognize that there are precious few absolute truths. We understand that how our customers perceive our products and services is the reality from which they form opinions about us.
Professionalism – We believe our customers deserve the utmost in professionalism from our workforce. Our actions and behaviors should always be those of a true professional.
Integrity – Our customers expect integrity from our workforce. We are responsible and accountable for our actions.
Honesty – Our customers want the truth from our workforce, even when discussing a point of disagreement. We are transparent in our behaviors and actions – we “tell it the way it is.”
Leadership – Our organization is looked to by our customers to provide information, decisions, actions, services and products that will provide leadership and guidance in technology for the state.
Competence – Our customers expect the members of our workforce to know what they are doing. They have the appropriate expertise, education and experience to perform in a competent manner.

GOVERNOR HEINEMAN’S
POLICY DIRECTIVES

Governor Heineman’s
Administration Priorities
1. Education
2. Economic Development
3. Efficiency in Government
4. Safe Communities

Governor Heineman’s Enterprise
Information Technology Principles

1. The state’s IT policy and operational groups need to work in concert with one another. By naming Brenda Decker as CIO and leader of technology operations, Governor Heineman has taken steps to ensure that the state’s IT policy and operational groups work together more closely.
2. There must be a unified technology strategy for all of state government. The Nebraska
Information Technology Commission annually prepares a statewide technology plan. The plan serves as a vehicle for identifying strategic technology initiatives of great importance to the state.
3. The State of Nebraska must eliminate duplication of IT expenditures and services; lower costs through enterprise purchases and agreements; and provide more efficient and effective ways for delivery of services to our citizens.
The creation of Network Nebraska, the statewide backbone, is an example of how aggregation can result in cost savings and greater efficiencies.
4. IT must expand access to government by citizens, encouraging greater civic involvement.
Services like the state’s public meeting calendar and BillTracker make it easier for citizens to participate in public meetings and to follow the legislative process.

Network Nebraska. The State of Nebraska and the University of Nebraska have engaged in a collaborative partnership that uses existing resources to aggregate disparate networks into a multipurpose core backbone. Benefits of Network Nebraska include lower network costs, greater efficiency, interoperability of systems providing video courses and conferencing, increased collaboration among educational entities, new educational opportunities, more affordable Internet access, and better use of public investments.
Community IT Planning and Development. The NITC Community Council has partnered with the University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension and Rural Initiative to form the
Technologies Across Nebraska partnership. Through the Podcasting Across Nebraska program, communities are creating podcasts to promote
local attractions and events and to provide information to citizens. A quarterly newsletter reaches over 1,000 individuals with an interest in technology-related development.
eHealth.  The NITC has formed an eHealth Council to address issues related to the adoption of electronic health records and health information exchange. The widespread adoption of electronic health records, health information exchange, and other eHealth applications is expected to reduce medical errors, improve quality of care, and reduce health care costs for payers.
Public Safety Communications System. The statewide telecommunications strategy integrates regional communications systems, the mutual aid frequency plan, and the state communications
infrastructure. The Office of the CIO has developed a plan for a statewide interoperable communications network that consolidates a core of state agencies on a single system platform.

Digital Education. The primary objective of the Digital Education Initiative is to promote the effective and efficient integration of technology into the instructional, learning, and administrative processes and to utilize technology to deliver enhanced digital educational opportunities to students at all levels throughout Nebraska on an equitable and affordable basis.
State Government Efficiency. The State Government Council will address multiple items improving efficiency in state government, including implementing shared services and adopting standards and guidelines. Benefits of these activities include lower costs, easier interoperability among systems, greater data sharing, and improved services.

E-Government. Through the use of technology, state agencies can enhance information sharing, service delivery, and constituency and client participation. Benefits include improved services for citizens and businesses, and increased efficiency and effectiveness for agencies.
Security and Business Resumption. This initiative will define and clarify policies, standards and guidelines, and responsibilities related to the security of the State’s information technology resources. Benefits include lower costs by
addressing security from an enterprise perspective, cost avoidance, and protecting the public trust.

Office of the CIO
SERVICES

The Office of the CIO provides a wide range of technology services to state agencies, boards and commissions as well as political subdivisions. By providing affordable, high quality services, the Office of the CIO allows customers to focus on their core business. In order to more efficiently deliver services, Nebraska’s IT operational and policy entities have now merged into the Office of the CIO. More information about the Office of the CIO Service Catalog and associated rates is available at:
http://nebraska.gov
Application Support - Production Support
• “24x7” support
• Problem documentation, troubleshooting and resolution
for applications
• Staffing by Applications Analysts and the Shift
Analyst Support Team
• “On call” assistance

Basic E-mail
• Secure transmission between all users in the system
• Ability to send and receive attachments up to 10 Mb
• SPAM and virus blocking; blacklisting, whitelisting
• Common directory with addresses in Basic E-Mail
and Business Class E-Mail
• Seamless browser access; basic calendaring and
address book
• 200 Mb storage (Additional storage may be purchased)
Broadband High Speed Internet Services
• Offered in cooperation with available internet service
providers (ISPs)
• ISP provides equipment to access internet and optional firewall or switch
Business Class E-mail
• Secure transmission between all users in the system
• Room and resource reservations; meeting scheduling
• Archiving capabilities for older mail
• Integration with applications and collaboration tools
• Enterprise SPAM and virus protection
• Failover and recoverability offer increased resiliency
• Support for wireless mobile devices
• “24x7” system support
CICS System Resources Support
• High volume transaction processing
• Support for interactive business applications
Closed Circuit Television (CCTV)
• Choice of 13” or 19” TV and coax cable connection
• Customers may choose to supply their own TV
• Auxiliary equipment like VCR, DVD, etc. allowed, but not part of service

Computer Based Training (CBT)
• Wide variety of web-based course offerings – both technical and business
• Selected federal perspectives, such as Homeland
Security and FEMA
• Available “24x7” anywhere with web browser availability
Conference calls (Conference Bridge)
• Up to 45 people may be included in a call
• Service offered in cooperation with the University of
Nebraska
• Conference call operators set up and initiate the call
• Security options, toll-free numbers available
Data Encryption
• Secured transmission of data over the network
Database Management Services (DBMS) for the
Mainframe
• Installation and support of relational and hierarchical databases
• Support for access from a variety of environments – Web, TSO, CICS, Windows, etc.
• Robust security and capacity
• High availability
Desktop Leasing Package
• Options for three year or four year lease
• Technical support and antivirus support
• “High-end” new computer with ample memory, disk space and 19” monitor
• Features latest operating system and office suite
Desktop Support
• Research, configuration and ongoing support of desktop hardware and software
• On-call support available on a “24x7” basis
E-Fax
• Faxes can be sent and received at your desk from your E-mail account
• A general fax server manages both inbound and outbound fax traffic
Facilitation Services
• Neutral facilitation for a single meeting or a series of meetings
• Especially useful in multi-agency meeting environments
• Can be helpful in strategic management discussions and decisions
Firewall Services
• Network level protection for web servers, mail servers, file servers, etc.
• Customized service based on customer requirements
Help Desk Support
• Central point of contact for all IT issues and questions
• Change and outage notifications via E-mail and web
• Formal tracking system
• Support software available for use by other agencies
Information Technology Procurement Reviews
• Formal statutory requirement for the Office of the
CIO
• Process driven from within Nebraska Information
System (NIS)
• Seeks to emphasize sharing, collaboration, and compliance with standards
• Upon request, advises DAS Materiel Division on sole source requests

Intergovernmental Data Services (IDS) –
Equipment Inventory Management
• Proactive updating of operating systems and software at county offices
• Coordinate installation of hardware and software in county offices for state applications
• Tracking, invoicing and disposal of hardware and software used to support customer applications
• Project management for rollout and installation of hardware and software
Intergovernmental Data Services (IDS) –
Field Services infrastructure support for applications involving both state agencies and county offices
• Equipment like PCs, terminals, printers, servers, and network gear can be provided
• Diagnosis and troubleshooting for application infrastructure issues
• Network design, consultation, installation and maintenance for county offices
• Project management for shared state/county applications
Internet Services
• High speed, fiber-based connection to the internet
• Monitored “24x7” for outages
• Packaged with any dedicated circuits (see LAN/WAN
Services)
Language Interpreter Services
• Service center interpreter facilitates a three way conversation
• Available “24x7”
• Over 90 languages available
Local Area Network (LAN) Services
• Design, installation and maintenance of local area networks
• Equipment, from procurement through final disposition
Mainframe Data Storage
• Available in two mediums – disk and tape
• Rigorous backup procedures, including mirroring for disk
• Remote sites for additional protection of data
Mainframe z/OS Computing Resources • z/OS computing resources for CICS, TSO, batch workload, web applications
• High volume processing
• “24x7” availability with high levels of hardware resiliency
• Continuous staff monitoring and support
• Capacity on demand for high volume tape, rapid access disk
• Automatic, sophisticated backup processes
• Rigorous security
Midrange Technical System Support
• “24x7” technical support for midrange processors
• At least one at each county seat, utilizing a shared network
• Several within the Office of the CIO and within agencies throughout the state
• Connectivity to other platforms like PCs and mainframe
Nebraska Directory Services
• Centralized identity and access management
• Tools for authorization and authentication
• Security for employee, client, and partner access to
applications and services
Open Systems Storage Area Network
• Multiple systems (MS Windows, Linux, etc) support
• Large amount of disk storage that can be used over
separate servers for data storage
Project Management Support
• Promotes a formal project management methodology
• Resource center for information about project and portfolio management products
• Development and delivery of customized project
management training
• Consulting services to assist in establishing requirements
and scope for projects
Public SafetyWireless (Radio equipment &
Frequency Spectrum Management)
• Provides analysis and recommendations about communications needs
• Procure, track, and when necessary, dispose of wireless equipment
• General assistance with frequency licensing
• Specific help with FCC application, frequency coordination
and renewals/modifications
• Advice on general continuity and strategic direction
of future technology needs
Request for Proposal (RFP) Development
Assistance
• Expertise in development of RFPs for technical equipment, software and/or services
• Experienced technical writing skills
• Assistance with development of evaluation and scoring criteria
• Customized consultations for suggestions or support on agency RFP efforts
Server Support
• Research, purchase, configuration and management of server-class hardware
• Centralized common functions like domains, antivirus servers, file and print services
• Lease package available
• Offsite backup services
Software Application Design
• Business requirements gathering and analysis
• Thorough documentation (via formal charter) of scope and responsibilities
• Development and presentation of solution options
• Competitively priced service performed by experienced, skilled workforce
Software Application Development
• Programming, testing and implementation of solutions for business requirements
• Project planning and management
• Appropriate testing and training
• Post-implementation support
Update Management Service
• Remote, automated installation of proprietary operating system and security updates
• Inventory of hardware and software with reporting features
• Installation, maintenance and monitoring of antivirus software
Video Conferencing
• Video conferencing operators set up and initiate the session
• Visibility and communications with all participants involved
• Books, videos, computer monitors may be viewed by everyone
• Costs are significantly less than those offered by other providers
Voice and Data Cabling
• Inside horizontal copper station cabling
• Inside copper and fiber riser cabling
• Inside intra-closet copper and fiber cabling
• Outside intra-building copper and fiber cabling plant (state-owned campus facilities)
Voice Services
• Local, long distance and toll-free voice telephone services
• Directory listings and assistance
• Telephone systems and equipment
• Voice mail
• Service and equipment trouble shooting and programming
• Calling cards and GETS cards
• Equipment maintenance
• State Government Directory
• Inmate calling
• Research and development of telecommunications services and equipment
Web Application Development
• Analysis, design, development and implementation of internet/web applications
• Development and analysis of options for solutions
• Project planning and management
• Accessibility and usability review
• Testing and training
Web Application Hosting
• “24x7” services, hardware and software for the delivery of web-based applications
• Utilizes Nebraska Directory Services for user authentication
• Data Center environment – UPS, security, comprehensive backups, etc.
Web Site Design and Development
• Development and support of multimedia websites
• Streaming audio and video; RSS (Really Simple
Syndication)
• Podcasts and webcasts
• Photo galleries; online surveys; organization charts; business contact information
• Accessibility and usability reviews
Wide Area Network (WAN) Services
• Equipment, design, maintenance and monitoring
• Secure communication
• Installation coordination with communications service provider
Wireless Services
• Cellular telephone, text messaging and “touch to talk” services
• Wireless mobile device services
• Equipment and service troubleshooting and programming
• Satellite phones
• Pagers
• Solution and design consultation
Workflow Automation
• Automates office processes and helps people work together more efficiently • Business needs met with customized databases and applications
• Web-based applications

Office of the CIO
 CONTACT INFO
Nebraska Information Technology
Commission (http://www.nitc.ne.gov)
Lt. Governor Rick Sheehy, Chair
Chief Information Officer (http://nebraska.gov)
Brenda Decker 402-471-3717
brenda.decker@nebraska.gov
Enterprise Computing Services
Tom Conroy 402-471-4348
tom.conroy@nebraska.gov
Intergovernmental Data Services
Tim Cao 402-471-3031
tim.cao@nebraska.gov
Financial Services
Steve Schafer 402-471-4385
steve.schafer@nebraska.gov
Network Services
Jayne Scofield 402-471-3454
jayne.scofield@nebraska.gov
Planning and Project Management
Steven L. Henderson 402-471-4861
steve.henderson@nebraska.gov
Technology Support Services
Beverlee Bornemeier 402-471-0718
beverlee.bornemeier@nebraska.gov