PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 16, 2002 (PRIMEZONE) -- Mayor John F. Street's vision for information technology has come to life as powerful Internet-based eGovernment tools, wireless technology and state-of-the-art mapping systems revolutionize how the City of Philadelphia does business. Examples of these technologies and how they will benefit residents, businesses and visitors, and improve the City's operating efficiencies will be shown at the Philadelphia Technology Showcase.
"Under Mayor Street's leadership, the City has been making strides in technology development," said Dianah L. Neff, Chief Information Officer, City of Philadelphia. "The Showcase is a celebration of these accomplishments."
The Technology Showcase is free and open to the public on Thursday, October 17 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The event will be held in the upper level of the Grand Hall of the Pennsylvania Convention Center. For more information, please visit www.phila.gov.
The Technology Showcase marks the relaunch of the City of Philadelphia's Web site, www.phila.gov. The site provides the single face of government where residents, businesses and visitors can access information and services and engage the City in business transactions. The site, featuring improved intuitive navigation, is easy to use and more powerful than ever. The updated site features new Internet-based eGovernment tools connected to the City departments and agencies which residents and businesses need to reach.
Many departments and agencies are participating in the Technology Showcase: The City's Integrated Data Information System (IDIS), which will integrate the client and service data systems of Philadelphia's Social Service agencies with those of the School District of Philadelphia, Philadelphia Police Department and other relevant city agencies over time, will be presented. By allowing greater data and information exchange among city agencies and social workers, when the IDIS is launched in January 2003, it will foster better coordination and effectiveness in providing Philadelphians of all ages with appropriate, seamless and comprehensive services.
The Department of Licenses and Inspections is proud to highlight their wireless code enforcement system. As all inspectors come on-line, the wireless computers will greatly streamline the property inspection process. L&I will also demonstrate their on-line permitting and customer service applications which will, when launched, allow customers to apply for permits, engage the department or check the status of an existing transaction on-line. These technologies will bring about improved service for residents and businesses.
The Department of Streets will demonstrate their Geographic Information System application that helps the department analyze traffic accidents and volumes in the city by displaying the data on a digital street map of Philadelphia. This application gives departmental traffic engineers a bird's eye view of intersections, allowing them to proactively identify and address problems.
Philadelphia Police Department technologies improving public safety will be highlighted. The Department is a key user of the City's Geographic Information System. By mapping crime and other data on an integrated land map of the city, officers can see patterns of crime and then take the appropriate steps to address the situation. Also, in partnership with the Records Department, the Police make car accident report information available via their Web site, www.ppdonline.org.
The Mayor's Commission on Technology (MCOT) will premier their monthly Webcast featuring e-Workforce efforts from throughout the city. MCOT will also launch their new Web site, mcot.phila.gov.
Other exhibits include:
-- First Judicial District of Pennsylvania
Wireless Traffic Citations
On-Line Citation Payment
Wireless Internet Application
-- Department of Human Services
Intranet - DHS Central
-- Department of Records
On-Line Accident Reports
Land Parcel Mapping
-- Innovation Philadelphia
Increasing the region's entrepreneurial capacity and
positioning Philadelphia as a leader in the Global
Knowledge Economy
-- citymaps.phila.gov
On-Line Geographic Information System for Residents and
Businesses
-- Revenue Department
On-Line Tax Account Management
The Mayor's Office of Information Services (MOIS) is dedicated to creating a superior information service for the citizens of the City of Philadelphia through a secure, networked, modern computer architecture supported by skilled Information System professionals committed to quality, timely and cost-efficient information solutions.
The Philadelphia Technology Showcase is being presented by Hansen Information Technologies, Novell/Cambridge, TEK Systems and Oracle.
It is being sponsored in part by Accenture, ARAMARK Corporation, ESRI, E Team, IBM, Innovation Philadelphia, iXP Corporation, Klehr, Harrison, Harvey, Branzburg & Ellers, Mara Management Services, Metastorm/Anexinet and Nortel Networks.
Also by CDM, Computer Horizons, Deloitte Consulting, Future Reach, HP/Compaq, Inventa, Microsoft, Motorola, PrimeZone Media Network, RCG Information Technology, Software AG, Sprint, Szabo Consulting, UNYSIS, Veridyne, Inc., Wolf Block Schorr and Solis-Cohen LLP and Xerox.
The Showcase is being supported by the Apple Computers, Inc. and Media Bureau Networks.