The Information Systems Department provides computer and telephone maintenance, consulting, programming and networking services to all departments within Rowan County Government.
The department has been essential in providing leadership and technical assistance in Rowan County’s metamorphosis from one stand-alone mini-computer connected to a handful of terminals, to a network of more than 800 personal computers capable of sending and receiving information worldwide over the Internet. This is in addition to handling about 300 requests for computer services a month from other county departments and citizens.
The county’s new Web site, www.RowanCountyNC.gov, has been designed to provide Rowan County eCitzens with one portal for up-to-date and timely information about county government.
On a normal weekday, this site experiences 5,500 page visits daily or more than a million page visits annually. These page visits are made by more than 314,000 unique visitors that use this site per year.
Since Rowan County’s Web site incorporates a content- management system, most departments have picked up the task of creating and maintaining their Web pages without adding additional staff or having to use the Information Services Department to update their pages.
The Information Services Department is committed to providing more citizen access to government information and providing more eCommerce opportunities, so citizens can access and use services 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The department continually seeks to find technology that will enhance our employees’ jobs and assist them in providing services as efficiently and effectively as possible.
We try to avoid selecting “fad” technology but instead look for technology with a significant and effective payback that blends with existing technology whenever possible.
The department tries to deploy technology only after a clear business reason for the technology has been proven.
The Information Systems department’s partnership with other Rowan County department is one of our primary missions. Through a cooperative effort with other departments, Rowan County has been able to take advantage of new technology while still maintaining a high level of customer service. This partnership and prudent use of technology helps Rowan County meet its ever-increasing demand for services as cost effectively as possible.
Use of the correct technology for the job can help Rowan County staff spend less time pushing paper and doing redundant tasks and more time serving citizens and performing the parts of their job that can’t be automated.
David Boling is head of the Rowan County Information Systems Department, 130 W. Innes St. He can be contacted at 704-216-8114.