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42 <br />Conclusion <br />The Orange County Strategic Information Technology Plan provides a framework for the effective <br />management of Information Technology. It offers a customer - focused approach to implementing and <br />managing IT and uses employee suggestions to provide a roadmap for future technology efforts. The <br />plan also includes a comprehensive view of County accomplishments over the past decade, as well as <br />examines the current state of technology in Orange County and its peer local governments. <br />Information Technology can be used to provide higher quality services in a more cost efficient manner <br />by providing improved service access, reduced transaction costs, and improved internal efficiencies. <br />As the County strives to be more customer - oriented and to provide effective services, technology <br />investments become essential. <br />Despite the potential impact of technology, it is critical to understand that the application of <br />technology to poor or inefficient processes will not produce the requisite cost savings or effectiveness <br />gains. Technology is a tool used to improve customer service but the administration, policies, and <br />procedures surrounding a given function or process must be revised and fine -tuned in order to <br />provide the highest quality of service. As a result of this necessary coupling between technology and <br />business process, it is imperative that all technology projects and investments are tightly integrated <br />with and continually measured against the Orange County's articulated business goals and vision. <br />Project Prioritization <br />The aforementioned projects and solutions are offered for consideration by the County. The projects <br />noted are largely enterprise in nature and are not comprehensive of all requests made by <br />Commissioners or departmental staff. The appendices contain the specific requests collected during <br />the interview process for reference and use by the IT Governance Council. As part of continuous <br />improvement around engagement and communication with County staff, the IT Department and <br />County Management will work with the IT Governance Council to verify prioritization of the suggested <br />projects. In addition, after prioritization is confirmed, cost estimates will be generated for projects <br />within the prioritization framework by the IT department. <br />Prior to undertaking the projects requested, it is imperative that additional IT staff are hired in order <br />to facilitate successful delivery of all prioritized projects. If staff increases are not appropriated, then <br />the projects should be evaluated against the current requirements of on -going maintenance and <br />support of the existing infrastructure to determine which efforts are feasible and to establish <br />timelines which are reasonable and reflective of the over - committed, under - resourced IT department. <br />Investment Strategies <br />Although technology investment is necessary as a means of maintaining efficient and effective <br />services, as well as competing in the local government marketplace, several steps can be taken to <br />40 <br />