![[photo, 45 Calvert St., Annapolis, Maryland]](/msa/mdmanual/11dbm/images/1198-1-599b.jpg)
Functions of the Department of Information Technology began within State government in 1993 when the Governor established the position of Chief of Information Technology, along with the Information Technology Board, within the Department of Budget and Fiscal Planning in February 1993 (Executive Order 01.01.1993.06). In July 1993 certain additional responsibilities for information technology were assigned by statute to the Department of Budget and Fiscal Planning (Chapter 120, Acts of 1993). To further oversee these duties, the Office of Information Technology was created within the Department of Budget and Management in 1996. The Office of Information Technology reformed as the Department of Information Technology in July 2008 (Chapter 9, Acts of 2008; Code State Finance & Procurement Article, secs. 3A-101 through 3A-606).
45 Calvert St., Annapolis, Maryland, December 2003. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.
The Statewide Information Technology Master Plan is developed and maintained by the Department. The Plan is the basis for the management and direction of information technology within the Executive Branch of State government. The Plan covers all aspects of information technology, including information management, data processing, and telecommunications (Code State Finance & Procurement Article, secs. 3A-304 through 3A-307). In addition, the Department coordinates, purchases, and manages all telecommunications systems and devices used by State agencies.
The Department also manages the Major Information Technology Development Project Fund. The purpose of the Fund is to support major information technology development projects (Code State Finance & Procurement Article, sec. 3A-309).
With Senate advice and consent, the Secretary of Information Technology is appointed by the Governor. The Secretary chairs the Statewide Interoperability Radio Control Board and the Council on Open Data, and serves on the Governor's Executive Council; the Board of Directors, Assistive Technology Loan Program; the Criminal Justice Information Advisory Board; the Maryland Green Purchasing Committee; the Health and Human Services Referral Board; the Statewide Interoperability Executive Committee; the Interdepartmental Committee for Minority Affairs; the Procurement Advisory Council; and the Management Committee of the EMaryland Application Service Provider Consortium. The Secretary also chairs the Information Technology Advisory Council and the Maryland Integrated Map Executive Committee.
For the Department, work is organized under Administration, and Operations. The State Geographic Information Officer is appointed by and reports directly to the Secretary, who is assisted by the Information Technology Advisory Council. Also within the Office of Secretary is Cybersecurity.
STATEWIDE INTEROPERABILITY RADIO CONTROL BOARD
In June 2014, the Statewide Interoperability Radio Control Board was established in the Department of Information Technology (Chapter 117, Acts of 2014).
The Board is to coordinate the operation and maintenance of the Statewide Public Safety Interoperability Radio System, also known as Maryland FIRST. The System is a 700 MHz radio system that connects Maryland's first responders on one secure radio system. The Board will establish standard operating procedures, quality of service standards, and maintenace guidelines for the System. Also, the Board is responsible for coordinating, adding, and removing System users; and resolving conflicts among users. It will recommend funding levels and resources needed for the System to the Governor and General Assembly; and negotiate use agreements with the federal government, neighboring states, and the District of Columbia. Further, user working groups will be created to advise the Board.
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; and was placed under Administration in June 2009.
Strategic Planning is responsible for Information Technology Procurement, Policy and Planning, the Project Oversight Office, and Web Systems.
PROJECT OVERSIGHT OFFICE
The Office assists State agencies in acquiring information technology services and products. The Office also manages the Major Information Technology Project Development Fund.
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, and was placed under Operations in February 2009. In February 2015, Web Systems moved under Strategic Planning.
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.
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 as Telecommunications Access of Maryland 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 within the Department of Budget and Management. In July 2008, it transferred to the Office of Secretary within the Department of Information Technology. In February 2009, was placed under Administration.
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.
In consultation with the Governor's Advisory Board for Telecommunications Relay, 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).
Formed in June 1999, Application Systems Management started within the Department of Budget and Management, and transferred to the Department of Information 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.
SUPPORT TECHNICAL & FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS
Support Technical and 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 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, and was placed under Operations in February 2009.
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; the Google Migration Team; Security Services; and Technical Services.
CUSTOMER SERVICES
ENTERPRISE ARCHITECTURE
GOOGLE MIGRATION TEAM
NETWORK SERVICES
SECURITY SERVICES
Created in January 2005, the Networks Division began within the Office of Information Technology and joined the Department of Information Technology in July 2008. It was placed under Operations in February 2009.
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
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 compatibility of telecommunications systems within State agencies.
WIRELESS SERVICES
As Radio Services, Wireless Services began within the Department of General Services. It 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.
The Project Oversight Office formed under State Information Technology as Contracts and Project Management in July 2002, and transferred to Strategic Planning as the Project Management Office in July 2005. It adopted its present name in July 2010.
WEB SYSTEMS
45 Calvert St., Annapolis, MD 21401 - 1907
TELECOMMUNICATIONS ACCESS OF MARYLAND
301 West Preston St., Suite 1008-A, Baltimore, MD 21201 - 2305
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.
OPERATIONS
In February 2009, Operations formed to oversee Applications Systems Management, Enterprise Information Services, Networks Division, and Web Systems. In February 2015, Web Systems moved under Strategic Planning.
APPLICATION SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT
45 Calvert St., Annapolis, MD 21401 - 1907
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. It reformed as Support Technical and Financial Management Information Systems in February 2009 under Application Systems Management.
ENTERPRISE INFORMATION SERVICES
45 Calvert St., Annapolis, MD 21401 - 1907
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 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 maintains the Local Area Network, which connects electronically the Department's Baltimore and Annapolis offices.
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
45 Calvert St., Annapolis MD 21401 - 1907
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