| 1/9/2013 |
Computer centralization for all state agencies at heart of Newberry bill
STATE HOUSE – The familiar adage, “if you build it, they will come” is taking on new meaning with the introduction of new legislation to encourage all state departments get on board with existing money and time-saving technology.
Rep. Brian C. Newberry (R-Dist. 48, North Smithfield, Burrillville) introduced two pieces of legislation which will create a study commission to determine the state’s potential savings in adopting and converting to virtualized cloud-based computing and also authorize the Department of Administration to incorporate virtual cloud-based technologies into the DOA mandate so that agencies can obtain maximum effectiveness in the management of public resources.
The Department of Administration is already responsible for an accessible and secure state-wide information network. Newberry’s bill expands the Department of Administration’s authority over fostering compatible information systems to include virtual cloud-based technology.
“This technology already exists and is being used selectively by various state agencies,” said Representative Newberry. “All departments need to get on board and into the 21st century. Every step we take to make a more efficient and interactive communication and information storage system only leads to better data management of public resources.”
Cloud computing provides a centralized hub which allows workers to log into a Web-based service which hosts all the programs the users would need for his or her job. The Department of Information Technology (DOIT), a sub-division of the DOA created a Tier 2 Server Facility in Warwick, which houses and protects the state’s information network.
“As archival mandates increase, the volume of information stored grows exponentially with each passing year. Data storage and server costs increase with the increasing level of storage requirements. By consolidating and virtualizing systems, the state can both reduce costs and increase technology services to residents,” said Representative Newberry.
Depending on function and usage, Representative Newberry said some servers can be virtualized to significant savings. One example is consolidating from as many as 35 print servers to 1 virtualized server, granting significant cost savings. The state-wide email system could also be consolidated to one server with virtualized components.
“Not only would this conversion decrease costs but it also would achieve higher archival rates across a standardized software platform,” he said.
Representative Newberry said that implementing cloud based technology would have prevented the recent problem in the Department of Energy Resources where low-income families were prevented from applying for heating assistance for two months because of a software malfunction and the agency’s reluctance to consolidate its systems under the Department of Information Technology.
“Our residents shouldn’t have to wait to get heating assistance because a state agency refuses to use the technology resources already available,” said Representative Newberry.
The study commission, implemented by this legislation, would determine the current technology usage among the various state agencies and will determine the appropriate cost savings through consolidation at the DOIT Server Facility and virtualization of current server systems.
The co-sponsors of the bill include: Rep. John G. Edwards (D-Dist.70, Tiverton, Portsmouth), Rep. Doreen Costa (R-Dist. 31, North Kingstown, Exeter), Rep. Michael J. Marcello (D-Dist. 41, Cranston, Scituate) and Rep. Michael W. Chippendale (R-Dist. 40, Foster, Glocester, Coventry).
For more information, contact:
Louise Tetreault, House Minority Office
State House Room 106
Providence, RI 02903
(401) 222-2259 |
LEGISLATIVE INFO
