Georgia to consolidate IT infrastructure

Georgia governor Sonny Perdue has put together a plan to bring together the state’s information technology infrastructure under a restructured Georgia Technology Authority, eliminating more than 1,000 state jobs in the process. Perdue said Tuesday an assessment found Georgia has an aging IT infrastructure and faces challenges in meeting industry standards and providing appropriate levels of security and disaster recovery. The state’s problems create serious risk in providing critical services to more than 9 million Georgians. “Maintaining the status quo is not an option,” Perdue said. “Technology is the underpinning for a well-run, modern day enterprise. My vision is for Georgia to lead the nation’s state governments in IT enterprise management and the innovative use of technology.”

Perdue’s consolidation plan starts with 11 agencies that represent more than 66 percent of the IT spending of the executive branch. According to GTA’s annual technology expenditure report, the executive branch spends $617 million each year on information technology. IT services will be provided through multiple contracts, which will be bid competitively and awarded late next year. The plan enables the state to continually invest in IT without the need for more appropriations. About 1,100 positions will be affected as functions are shifted from agencies to GTA or to third-party service providers. The consolidation will lead to a more efficient, leaner organization, which means some positions will be eliminated, the governor’s office said. GTA plans to eliminate job vacancies over the next year by natural attrition and retirement, while some jobs may be picked up by third-party service providers. For example, in GTA alone, more than 20 percent of the workforce will be eligible for retirement within the next year.