openMontgomery Program Receives National Award

The Public Technology Institute (PTI) has honored Montgomery County with a 2012-2013 Technology Solutions award. The openMontgomery program was recognized in the Web, e-Government and Mobile Technology category. Two additional County programs were recognized for Significant Achievement: a Cloud-Based BikeShare Research Tool, and a Mobile IT Service Desk. Montgomery was the only county in the State of Maryland – and the only jurisdiction in the Washington DC metropolitan area – to be recognized with an award by PTI in this year’s technology solutions awards competition.
The openMontgomery website was developed as part of a close collaboration between the County’s Department of Technology Services (DTS), the County Executive’s Office, the Office of Public Information, and the County Council. The goal of the openMontgomery initiative is to make County government even more transparent, responsive, accessible and accountable to its residents and constituents. The openMontgomery program is the County’s umbrella Open and Digital Government initiative that is comprised of four pillar programs:

• dataMontgomery: providing on-line access to County datasets in consumable format.
• mobileMontgomery: providing mobile device access to County information, services and programs.
• engageMontgomery: providing an on-line forum for resident collaboration and idea-sharing.
• accessMontgomery: providing on-line access to County services, reports, budgets, and contracts.

For addition information about openMontgomery visit montgomerycountymd.gov/open.

The new and innovative BikeShare Research Tool developed by DTS allows the County’s Department of Transportation to collaborate with organizations outside of County government to research and identify potential bikeshare station locations in the County. DTS also instituted a Mobile IT Service Desk program in response to County employee requests for enhanced mobile computing services support.

“We value Public Technology Institute’s recognition of the County’s openMontgomery program,” said Harash (Sonny) Segal, Chief Information Officer for Montgomery County. “This award is relevant to all governments that are contemplating expanding transparency and civic engagement well beyond the traditional channels.”

PTI is a national technology organization created by and for cities and counties. The organization identifies opportunities for technology research, shares best practices, offers consultancies and pilot demonstrations, and promotes technology development initiatives. Every year, PTI recognizes local government technology programs that have demonstrated how, through the use of technology, governments improve service delivery and/or reduce costs.

An independent panel of judges identified the winners of PTI’s 2012-2013 Technology Solutions Awards. “Montgomery County continues to be recognized nationally for its use of technology to not only effect government performance and service delivery, but to also improve the way the community can interact with government,” said PTI Executive Director Alan R. Shark. “I congratulate Montgomery County for its efforts; and for the willingness of county leaders to share their insight with other governments.”

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