Open Government discussion success: NASTD experience

By Andrea Katsivels posted 09-24-2015
Validation: Government Agencies and Technology Providers (affiliates, vendors, consultants) must work together in a cooperative manner to address the needs of constituents and governments alike. I recently attended the National Association of State Technology Directors (NASTD) 2015 Annual Conference in Cincinnati, OH. The event focus, “Collaboration Through Partnerships: Leveraging Core Competencies in State Government,” couldn’t have been more appropriate for the mood and interactions the event generated – emphasizing a reality I and others in the government vendor category face – how critical and rare it is that these open dialog moments ...

State Master Contracts and E-rate

By Gary Rawson posted 10-06-2014
I just returned from a week in DC. USAC was holding their Fall Training session. While "in town" many of us met with members of the FCC to discuss the recent E-rate Modernization Order, http://www.e-ratecentral.com/files/fcc/FCC-14-99A1.pdf . The Order offers many new procedures and processes to make the program more efficient and services more cost effective. One of these new concepts is that of offering a Simplified Application Process for applicants using contracts that are "no longer than five years". 191. As an initial matter, we simplify the application process for funding requests that involve multi-year contracts for eligible services. This simplified ...

A Few Fast and Valuable Days in Idaho

By Bernard O'Donnell posted 09-17-2014
I’ve heard from many NASTD members who attended the Annual Conference and Technology Showcase in Coeur d’Alene and the universal sentiment seems to be that those who attended were very glad that they did! There was certainly a lot of lively interaction on a great variety of topics. Those few days that I had the pleasure of spending with all of you passed far too quickly! The Annual Conference and Technology Showcase is a product of many contributors, and this year’s event certainly benefitted from that approach. I’m very appreciative for the enthusiastic support that everyone provided to me and to Mark, Pam, and Paul in making the event a great success. ...

Business Case for Government Fiber Networks

By Steve Smith posted 09-17-2013
Based on conversations I had with various State members at the national conference, I thought this article may be of interest: http://www.bbpmag.com/2013mags/mar-apr/BBC_Mar13_BusCase.pdf This is not Fujitsu sponsored, its simply for informational purposes.

L-Podcast Episode 002 - Anne L Hardwick, immediate past chair of the Corporate Affiliate Committee of the National Association of State Technology Directors.

By Guy Clinch posted 09-13-2013
Welcome to the second in a continuing series of discussions with thought leaders who are bringing new and innovative solutions to the challenges government faces in delivering services to the citizen. In this episode my guest is Anne L Hardwick , immediate past chair of the Corporate Affiliate Committee. In her career Anne has worked for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce doing extensive television studio production work in the Chamber's state-of-the art facilities in Washington, DC. Anne then served a long career with the Commonwealth of Virginia first as the manager of Telemedia Operations rising to the position of Associate Director of Telecommunications ...

L-Podcast Episode 001: Bernie O’Donnell, Director, Communications Services for the State of Connecticut

By Guy Clinch posted 07-25-2013
Welcome to the first in a continuing series of discussions with thought leaders who are bringing new and innovative solutions to the challenges government faces in delivering services to the citizen. In this inaugural episode of the "L" Podcast Channel I interview Bernie O'Donnell , Director, Communications Services for the State of Connecticut. Bernie O’Donnell leads the Communications Services and Telecommunications Billing and Order Processing units within the Bureau of Enterprise Systems and Technology in Connecticut’s Department of Administrative Services. Download of listen here: Please click here to listen or download ...

Directory Assistance

By Derrick Ellis posted 01-29-2013
Shortly after George Coy implemented the first public telephone exchange (switch) in New Haven, Connecticut in January of 1878, he realized the need to document the users. He subsequently published the first telephone directory consisting of a single piece of paper (cardboard) on February 21, 1878. It measured 14 cm x 21 cm, and listed 50 subscribers (residences, business, etc). By November of 1878, the New Haven telephone company grew to 391 subscribers, so he published a 20-page directory. In order to help his new subscribers learn their way around the new communication device, he published some simple instructions. Here are a few of those instructions: ...

How NORAD tracked Santa Around the Globe Christmas Eve

By Guy Clinch posted 01-11-2013
Now Playing: Avaya Tech Talk #002 - NORAD Santa - This week Guy covers the history of the 57 year old NORAD tradition of tracking Santa around the globe Christmas Eve. Please click arrow below to play: Share: Facebook Twitter Download Transcript: Good day all! Guy Clinch here, advocate for the government customer in Avaya’s product development organization. Welcome to this week’s episode of Avaya Tech Talk. T’was the night before Christmas and all across the planet young imaginations pictured “the jolly old elf” and his flying sleigh drawn by reindeer speeding their way to deliver a Christmas morning of joy. So it was true ...

"The More Things Change, The More They Stay The Same"

By Derrick Ellis posted 01-02-2013
As an IT/Telecommunications Director, I am often reminded of this paradox: “The more things change, the more they stay the same”. Let me explain … One of the first people to build a telephone exchange was Hungarian Tivadar Puskás in 1877 while he was working for Thomas Edison. George W. Coy designed and built the first commercial telephone exchange which opened in New Haven, Connecticut in January, 1878. The switchboard was built from "carriage bolts, handles from teapot lids and bustle wire" and could handle two simultaneous conversations. The first public commercial exchange had 21 subscribers. I thought it quite fitting that I honor this achievement by ...

Talking Turkey with the Folks at 3-1-1

By Arlene King posted 11-29-2012
Although Thanksgiving has passed and November is nearly over, this story is about 3-1-1 and 9-1-1 with a light touch of humor! Posted by Tom Malanfant on Nov 21, 2012 2:26:02 PM While Thanksgiving has passed and November has nearly ended, this blog posting is still quite relevant, highlighting the complimentary relationship between 3-1-1 and 9-1-1. As Thanksgiving approaches, I can’t help but remember one of the funniest calls we received when I was managing a 3-1-1 Call Center in Windsor, Ontario. We had a citizen call for instructions on how to cook a Thanksgiving turkey. While this certainly wasn’t a typical ...

CYBER SECURITY: Everyone has a role to play

By Arlene King posted 10-25-2012
Written by: Bruce Brda, senior vice president, Global Solutions and Services, on the importance of cyber security Oct. 22, 2012 October is National Cyber Security Awareness Month as proclaimed by the president. The event is aptly named. Cyber security only exists if our personnel, our organizations and our institutions are truly aware of the threats and the steps we can take to secure our infrastructure. We might know that threats exist in the abstract. But, we need to make a cultural shift when it comes to IT security. Threats are everywhere and a successful attack can have a substantial impact on the operational, managerial and financial integrity ...

"Dad, the Whole School's on Lockdown"

By Arlene King posted 09-07-2012
A parent's nightmare showed me exactly how and why public safety communications must adapt with the times. Reposting of blog by Paul Steinberg, the Chief Technology Officer at Motorola Solutions, Inc. People communicate naturally in different ways. An entire generation now uses a paradigm that didn’t exist five years ago. This was brought home to me in a way I’ll never forget. My daughter, then a senior in high school, sent me a text: her school was in a hard security lockdown. I texted back asking what was happening. She replied that she didn’t know and couldn’t see anything; she was in an inside room, out of the line of sight of the ...

Current Results of the Fourth Annual NASTD Community Involvement Project

By Guy Clinch posted 08-28-2012
Thank you to all who have donated and helped to make the Fourth Annual NASTD Community Involvement Project a great success. As of the end of Wednesday your efforts have raised contributions of $4,586 and cash donations of $500 . All money donated goes directly to the Baltimore Community Foundation for the benefit of Baltimore’s Western High School and the Baltimore City Public Schools. Anyone can participate in this worthy effort. Online donations can be made to the Baltimore Community Foundation by clicking here . Attendees of the 35th Annual Conference and Technology Showcase have several options for donation that include: ...

Survey Says: Data Access Becoming More Critical for Public Safety

By Arlene King posted 08-06-2012
Reposting from “Fresh Ideas in Public Safety” Blog by Rick Neal on Jul 13, 2012 This growing importance of data communications is confirmed in responses to the 2012 Motorola Public Safety Study . Almost 90 percent of the 832 responding government professionals (government administration, command staff, first responders and IT management) reported that they believe data communications are important for their public safety operations. Furthermore, more than half of respondents say they consider data communications to be at least as important as voice communications. Even more telling, of respondents planning to invest in data technology ...

Update (8/7/12) on progress on the Fourth Annual NASTD Community Involvement Project: New Items Added to the Silent Auction

By Guy Clinch posted 08-03-2012
Dear NASTD Colleagues: This is a short note to update you on the planning for the Fourth Annual NASTD Community Involvement Project. To date we have gathered monetary contributions of over $2,500. We have received donations of the following items that will be offered during the silent auction: an iPad and cover with a Bluetooth keyboard; a set of Bose Acoustic headsets; John Harbaugh (coach of the Baltimore Ravens) signed football; an Alex Ovechkin autographed Washington Capitals Game Puck; and Six pounds of Tully’s Green Mountain coffee. I hope you share the building excitement about the positive contributions to the ...

How you may Participate in the Fourth Annual NASTD Community Involvement Project

By Guy Clinch posted 07-24-2012
Do you wish to be a part of the Fourth Annual NASTD Community Involvement Project? Are you interested in helping but will not be able to attend the conference? Are you a corporate affiliate member seeking a way to magnify your participation? The following contains a few suggestions that may help. NASTD is partnering with the Baltimore Community Foundation (BCF) for the 2012 project to increase the benefits for Baltimore’s Western High School and the Baltimore City Public Schools. Joining efforts with the Foundation opens the doors so that the 2012 NASTD Community Involvement Project can transcend our short stay in Baltimore during the ...

Fourth Annual Community Involvement Project

By Guy Clinch posted 07-16-2012
Dear colleagues, associates and friends: We are just a few short weeks away from the 35th Annual NASTD Conference and Technology Showcase and this year’s annual community involvement project. Volunteers have been working diligently to make this year’s contribution to Baltimore’s Western High School and the Baltimore City Public Schools our most successful effort to date. I am writing to remind you about our past successes, tell you about the momentum we have gained already this year and enroll those of you who are ready to join your fellow NASTD members in this worthy effort. The 2012 event marks the fourth successful year in which NASTD members ...

3 of the Top Trends in Public Safety

By Arlene King posted 07-05-2012
Reposting from “Fresh Ideas in Public Safety” Blog by Katharine Gard Jul 2, 2012 If you talk to anyone who works in law enforcement or fire, they will tell you that safety is the highest priority of any department. Safety of the police officer or firefighter, and safety of the citizens they are protecting. Calls for service tend to increase around holidays such as the 4 th of July, so what new trends in technology are public safety agencies implementing to improve safety this summer? Technology as a Force Multiplier You've heard the rhetoric – budgets have been cut, do more with less. But the fact is that by using technology as a ...

Mark January 1, 2013 on Your Calendar

By Arlene King posted 06-14-2012
Reposting from “Fresh Ideas in Public Safety” Blog by Michele Shaughnessy on June 11, 2012. Are you operating in analog VHF (150-174MHz) or UHF (421-470MHz) frequencies at 25KHz? If so take out a marker and circle January 1, 2013. Not because it’s the start of a new year, but because it is the deadline to narrowband your system . Base stations play an important role in your overall communication system evolution, whether it is to meet your narrowband requirements or to plan for ease of future migration. The Boy Scout motto "Be Prepared" takes on new meaning when you are talking about investing in mission-critical infrastructure equipment. So ask ...

Serving Public Safety's Demand for Data

By Arlene King posted 05-02-2012
Reposting from “ Fresh Ideas in Public Safety ” Blog by Darren McQueen on April 23, 2012. Wireless data is exploding around every corner. So what does this mean for public safety agencies? Data is becoming just as critical as voice to doing the job of protecting lives and property. In fact, a Motorola survey found that 89 percent of public safety professionals said data is just as important as voice. There's a need for ultra-reliable broadband networks, applications and devices to deliver real-time information to the men and women serving as our country's first responders. This means solutions that are built from the ground up for public safety, not ...