Government will have more to spend on technology in 2010...
by Mary Scott Nabers
CEO of Strategic Partnerships, Inc.
. . . continued from page one
Very soon the Federal Communications Commission will release a plan to encourage wireless devices and applications as part of the Recovery Act's broadband plan. The plan will also include analyzing video conferencing and remote monitoring related to health IT.
The Social Security Administration has announced $17.4 million in recovery funding for health information networks, providers and health IT firms. The money is intended to enhance health information exchange (HIE) networks. And, there is another $1 billion for advancing health IT since the goal is to make health IT available to more than 100,000 hospitals and primary care physicians by 2014.
Airports are also getting security technology funding. About $1 billion is available from the Transportation Security Administration and $700 million of that has been dedicated to improve baggage screening efforts. Another $300 million will be used for technology to detect explosives that passengers might try to carry onto flights.
School districts are expected to significantly increase technology spending in 2010. The U.S. Department of Education has $650 million through the Enhancing Education Through Technology program. Additionally, there is technology funding available to schools through the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Couple those amounts with the planned technology purchases wrapped in upcoming bond packages and it is obvious that school districts in Texas will have an abundance of money to spend on technology.
Here are a few examples of recent activity in Texas.
The Midland College board of trustees recently approved technology funds for equipment related to a new multimedia system at its Advanced Technology Center. This will include high-definition video screens, projectors and other items.
The Needville City Council has authorized its police department to seek grant funds for a new laptop computer system and digital cameras for police vehicles.
The City of Corsicana plans to use $400,000 in federal grant funding to pay for a new record-keeping system and to purchase surveillance equipment, new cameras and computers for police department vehicles.
Part of the bond proceeds from a $535 million bond election announced by the Northside ISD in San Antonio has been earmarked for technology purchases and upgrades that include new computers throughout the district. The bond committee suggested additional computers, servers, software, wireless equipment and more.
Numerous other bond issues for public schools in Texas will include spending for technology. Planned purchases include network security solutions, computers and laptops, software, servers, wireless technology, smart phones and interactive whiteboards.
The City of Irving, like many other Texas cities, is addressing radio interoperability problems. A two-year, $25 million project would replace the city's old radio system, facilitate a fiber optics network and add a wireless network.
The City of Garland hopes to spend almost $2 million to replace VHS video systems with digital recorders in 200 police patrol cars.
Technology firms should find the public sector marketplace in Texas very attractive in 2010.
