State IT division consolidates, cuts costs

The division of the Office of Administration consolidated the state’s IT services, budgets, staffing and equipment within a single division.

The move results in a $2.4 million reduction in State Data Center assessments to state agencies and the removal of six job positions.

The consolidation also allows the state to administer one program instead of several for wiping out hard drives on computers donated to Surplus Property, an IT service.

“This consolidation provides me the tools to effect significant measurable cost reductions along with product and process improvements,” said Dan Ross, chief information officer for the division, in a news release.

In June, the division also renegotiated its telecommunications contract with Sprint and cut costs by about $835,000 in fiscal year 2006 and at least $400,000 per year through 2010.