DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

ORIGIN & FUNCTIONS

45 Calvert St., Annapolis, Maryland. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.

The Statewide Information Technology Master Plan is developed by the Department, which also manages the Major Information Technology Development Project Fund. In addition, the Department coordinates, purchases, and manages all telecommunications systems and devices used by State agencies.

Under the Department, work is organized into six divisions: Application Systems Management; Enterprise Information Services; Fiscal Services; Networks; Strategic Planning; and Web Systems. The Department also is responsible for Telecommunications Access of Maryland.

OFFICE OF SECRETARY

The Secretary of Information Technology is appointed by the Governor with Senate advice and consent. The Secretary serves on the Governor's Executive Council; the Criminal Justice Information Advisory Board; the Statewide Interoperability Executive Committee; the Interdepartmental Committee for Minority Affairs; and the Maryland Rural Broadband Communication Board.

TELECOMMUNICATIONS ACCESS OF MARYLAND
301 West Preston St., Suite 1008-A, Baltimore, MD 21201 - 2305

Telecommunications Access of Maryland started in 1988 as the Telecommunications for Disabled Individuals Program within the Department of Human Resources. In 1990, the federal Americans with Disabilities Act required all states to have a telecommunications relay system operating by July 1993. In 1991, Maryland's Program was renamed and transferred to the Department of General Services (Chapter 598, Acts of 1991). In 1996, it moved to the Department of Budget and Management. In 1997, the Department of Budget and Management was authorized to establish a telecommunication and computer network in Maryland (Chapter 722, Acts of 1997). The network is accessible through direct connection and through local intra-LATA (local access & transport areas) telecommunications to State and local governments and public and private educational institutions in Maryland (Code State Finance & Procurement Article, sec. 3-705). Formerly under Telecommunications, in January 2005, Telecommunications Access of Maryland moved under the Chief of Information Technology, and in July 2008, it was placed under the Office of Secretary within the Department of Information Technology.

The Maryland Relay Service was initiated by Telecommunications Access of Maryland in December 1991 to convey dual-party telephone messages for persons with disabilities. The Service enables a deaf person to communicate via a telecommunications device with an intermediary party who then verbally relays the message to a third party. For State residents who are deaf or have impaired hearing, speech, vision, or mobility, the Service makes telephone use possible 24 hours per day, seven days per week.

GOVERNOR'S ADVISORY BOARD FOR TELECOMMUNICATIONS RELAY
The Governor's Advisory Board for Telecommunications Relay formed in 1987 as the Telecommunications for Disabled Individuals Board within the Department of Human Resources (Chapter 525, Acts of 1987). Reorganized under its present name, the Board transferred to the Department of General Services in 1991 (Chapter 598, Acts of 1991). The Board joined the Department of Budget and Management in 1996, and the Department of Information Technology in July 2008. In consultation with the Board, the Department maintains the Maryland Relay Service.

The Board's twelve members are appointed by the Governor who names the chair. Members serve three-year terms (Code State Finance & Procurement Article, secs. 3A-502 through 3A-506).

APPLICATION SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT

Formed in June 1999, Application Systems Management started within the Department of Budget and Management, and transferred to the Department of Information and Technology in July 2008.

Application Systems Management designs, develops, implements, maintains, and operates a fully integrated statewide administrative systems for accounting, budgeting, financial management, personnel, and other administrative functions. It oversees Development Functional; Development Technical; Human Resources Management; Support Functional; and Support Technical and Financial Management Information Systems.

FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS
In 1991, Financial Management Information Systems (FMIS) organized to create a new, high-technology, administrative management system for State government. In 1996, it was placed under the Office of Information Technology, and in July 2008 moved to the Department of Information Technology.

Financial Management Information Systems is responsible for computer applications that manage the system of State government purchasing, accounting, payroll, personnel, and budgeting.

ENTERPRISE INFORMATION SERVICES

Enterprise Information Services began within the Department of Budget and Management as Network and Technical Services, and became Enterprise Networking Services under Telecommunications in 1996. In July 2002, Enterprise Networking Services was made a main unit under Department Information Technology, reformed as Enterprise Infrastructure Systems in January 2003, and reorganized under its present name in November 2004. It transferred to the Department of Information Technology in July 2008.

For data, imaging, video and voice-related services, Enterprise Information Services provides design and technical support to State agencies. This unit tries to match the appropriate technology with agency applications for best performance at lowest cost. Enterprise Information Services advises other State agencies on procurement and project management for complex information technology systems and infrastructure.

Enterprise Information Services oversees: Customer Services; Enterprise Architecture; Network Services; Security Services; and Technical Services.

CUSTOMER SERVICES
Customer Services staffs the Help Desk, which assists State agency users to resolve any difficulties they encounter using statewide computer applications, such as the Financial Management Information Systems. Customer Services provides on-line registration for training to use the Financial Management Information Systems, and maintains its Bulletin Board System, which provides daily updates on system problems, hour changes, batch cycle information, user group meetings, migrations, and other important information. In addition, Customer Services assists citizens using State agency websites maintained by the Department.

ENTERPRISE ARCHITECTURE
Enterprise Architecture works to develop technically compatible information technology systems statewide, in both State and local government. By setting standards and establishing guidelines for Maryland's technical architecture framework, State agencies are helped to develop more efficient and effective information technology structure.

NETWORK SERVICES
Network Services maintains the Local Area Network, which connects electronically the Department's Baltimore and Annapolis offices.

SECURITY SERVICES
Security Services sets policy and establishes standards for the secure use of the State's information technology resources. To State agencies, Security Services provides guidance and education on security awareness, assists in preparing disaster recovery plans, and grants login access to the Department's secure websites and applications, such as the Financial Management Information System.

NETWORKS DIVISION

Created in January 2005, the Networks Division began within the Office of Information Technology and joined the Department of Information Technology in July 2008. The Division implements and operates statewide networks such as networkMaryland and the State's wireless microwave and radio systems. It ensures that State agencies have a cost-effective means for transmitting data and mobile information.

Under the Networks Division are networkMaryland, Voice Services, and Wireless Services. The Networks Division also manages the State's inventory of cellular phones and the contracts for activating and deactivating cell phones, pagers, and other wireless devices.

VOICE SERVICES
301 West Preston St., Suite 1304, Baltimore, MD 21201 - 2305

Voice Services originated as Voice and Customer Services, became Technical Support Services in 1997, and became Voice and Technical Services in 2002. As Voice Services, it transferred from Telecommunications to Enterprise Information Services in November 2004. In July 2008, it became part of the Networks Division.

For State agencies, Voice Services coordinates the development, procurement, management, and operation of telecommunication equipment and systems for voice applications. The office provides technical advice and consultation services to State and local governments. By developing policies and standards for the acquisition and use of voice systems, Voice Services promotes the compatability of telecommunications systems within State agencies.

WIRELESS SERVICES
301 West Preston St., Room 1304, Baltimore, MD 21201 - 2365

Wireless Services began within the Department of General Services as Radio Services, became Wireless Communication Services in 1994, and transferred to the Department of Budget and Management in 1996. Under the Office of Information Technology, it was renamed Wireless Support Services in 1997, and adopted its present name in 2002. As part of the Networks Division, it moved to the Department of Information Technology in July 2008.

Wireless Services promotes compatibility between radio systems; evaluates and promotes the sharing of resources, where appropriate; and procures wireless systems, including radio, microwave, cellular phone and paging systems. The office also advises State agencies on planning, acquisition, and operation of radio systems; and provides radio frequency coordination assistance to State and local government.

STRATEGIC PLANNING

Strategic Planning took over many responsibilities of Investment Management, which originated as Information Technology in 1993. At that time, first the Governor and then the General Assembly established the position of Chief of Information Technology to develop policies, procedures, and standards for statewide information technology (Executive Order 01.01.1993.06; Chapter 120, Acts of 1993). Within the Office of Information Technology, the division reformed as Planning, Standards, and Technical Assistance in 1996, and as Planning, Policy, and Standards in 1999. It became Information Technology Investment Management in July 2002, and Investment Management in November 2004. Its functions were assigned to Strategic Planning in July 2005. Strategic Planning joined the Department of Information Technology in July 2008.

Strategic Planning is responsible for Information Technology Procurement, Policy and Planning, and the Project Management Office.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT OFFICE
The Project Management Office formed under State Information Technology as Contracts and Project Management in July 2002, and transferred to Strategic Planning under its present name in July 2005. This unit assists State agencies in acquiring information technology services and products. The Office also manages the Major Information Technology Project Development Fund.

WEB SYSTEMS

Under the Department of Budget and Management, Web Systems was established formally within the Office of Information Technology in July 2005. Web Systems became part of the Department of Information Technology in July 2008.

Web Systems manages the State's Internet portal, which provides centralized on-line access to State agency websites for Maryland citizens. The Department's web presence also is managed by Web Systems, which hosts certain statewide applications and community websites, and coordinates strategic initiatives such as web branding.

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