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Educate the employees at Lunch and Learn sessions
Direct interaction at branch level during layout and web page consultations
Posters set up at foyers of facilities with educational information
Front page graphics promoting portal technology on the existing intranet with support information on a dedicated web page
Educational Survey teasers for prizes
Streaming Video commercial campaign
Brochures explaining pros and cons
Create a chat room for updating of the project to all involved
Web casts
CAO message of support
Promotion at staff meetings
Town hall events
Management groups
Background
Over the last 10 years, the Region, Markham and other Local Municipalities have implemented public websites which have become indispensible for residents, businesses and visitors for obtaining services and information from their respective governments. The websites provide such timely and current information as: service listings and availability; economic development support; tourist activities and leisure pursuits; public notices and current news items; maps and route planning; government public documents; and restrictions and permits as well as some on-line services and links to other related websites. At this point, these websites are well conceived and implemented, reflecting the unique character and mandate of the sponsoring government. Municipalities have supplemented their existing web sites with intranet sites to facilitate employee access to information and services.
The primary rationale for our Joint Portal derives from the citizen-centric approach to service delivery. Most of the direct service interactions with our citizens today take place at the local government level. The Region supports some of these local services as a "wholesaler" (e.g. Water & Wastewater Services), and also provides health, community and transportation services directly to citizens. The objective would be to have most of these services directly accessible, on a 7/24/365 basis over the internet,. A well designed Joint Portal, based on citizen needs, would simplify work flows while concurrently educating the citizen about the service provider – in effect it puts the service first while maintaining the identity of the service provider. This "No Wrong Door" approach to service delivery through collaboration and partnership is the foundation for the Joint Portal Project.
The Joint Portal project started as an outcome of IT Strategic studies conducted for the Town of Markham and Region of York in 2005 and 2006, respectively. It is intended to provide enhanced, personalized and fast access to services and information for citizens through an interactive and robust online technology. Although the initial phase is being led by Markham and the Region of York, it is also provides opportunities for other local municipalities in the Region to join the partnership. The following activities were conducted in the past three years:
Nov. 2005 – Through IBM, Markham conducted a Business Value Assessment of a portal technology
Feb. 2007 - A Joint Portal Business Case study was conducted for Markham and the Region by Connected Insight Inc.
April & Sept. 2007 – Markham and York Region council respectively approved the Joint Portal Project RFP
Jan. 2008 – Joint Portal RFP was issues
Sept. 2008 – Joint Portal RFP was awarded to IBM for Hardware, Software and Support Services
Nov. 2008 – A Professional Service Procurement Plan study was prepared for the Joint Portal Project
Feb. 2007 - A Joint Portal Business Case study was conducted for Markham and the Region by Connected Insight Inc.
April & Sept. 2007 – Markham and York Region council respectively approved the Joint Portal Project RFP
Jan. 2008 – Joint Portal RFP was issues
Sept. 2008 – Joint Portal RFP was awarded to IBM for Hardware, Software and Support Services
Nov. 2008 – A Professional Service Procurement Plan study was prepared for the Joint Portal Project
Moving forward, the Joint Portal implementation plan is based on a phased approach and the initial focus will be on implementation of out-of-the-box capabilities such as collaborative tools for citizen engagement, and high priority business requirements including a redesigned web interface, online payment options, and other important online information and transaction services. Following the initial phase, The Region and Markham will continue to selectively implement other portal functionalities in discrete packages at the time and pace of their choosing, depending on business and funding priorities as well as staff resource availability.
Educate the employees at Lunch and Learn sessions
Direct interaction at branch level during layout and web page consultations
Posters set up at foyers of facilities with educational information
Front page graphics promoting portal technology on the existing intranet with support information on a dedicated web page
Educational Survey teasers for prizes
Streaming Video commercial campaign
Brochures explaining pros and cons
Create a chat room for updating of the project to all involved
Web casts
CAO message of support
Promotion at staff meetings
Town hall events
Management groups
Direct interaction at branch level during layout and web page consultations
Posters set up at foyers of facilities with educational information
Front page graphics promoting portal technology on the existing intranet with support information on a dedicated web page
Educational Survey teasers for prizes
Streaming Video commercial campaign
Brochures explaining pros and cons
Create a chat room for updating of the project to all involved
Web casts
CAO message of support
Promotion at staff meetings
Town hall events
Management groups